Director of Community Services

Seminole County/Board of County Commissioners; Sanford (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Seminole County, through the Board of County Commissioners, seeks a senior leader to direct multiple Community Services divisions including Community Assistance, Community Health, Housing Development, Veteran Services, Compliance, and Accounting. You will guide policy, staffing, and budget development to meet community needs and regulatory requirements.

Strong leadership, grant management, and collaboration with boards and external partners are essential as you drive long-range initiatives and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Social Services, or closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience.
• Knowledge of public social services, grant writing and administration, management practices, and budgeting methodologies.
• Experience with grant programs: CDBG, HOME, SHIP, CSBG, ESG, SPC, and LIHEAP.
• Ability to plan and oversee long-range goals including capital improvements and opioid settlement-funded programs.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and partners.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws governing departmental programs.

Responsibilities

• Directs and coordinates programs within the divisions of Community Assistance, Community Health, Housing Development, Veteran Services, Compliance, and Accounting.
• Directs and coordinates the strategies, activities, and personnel of the Community Services Department; develops, recommends, and implements policies and procedures and ensures compliance with regulations.
• Prepares and presents the Department's annual budget and identifies and evaluates new and alternative funding sources.
• Responds to residents' concerns and complaints; serves as liaison to boards and councils.
• Exercises final authority over hiring, performance evaluations, terminations, disciplinary actions, and commendations for assigned personnel.
• In emergencies, all employees may be required to perform alternate duties.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Grant writing

Community engagement

Public administration

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Public Administration, Social Services, or closely related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Coordinates the administration of assigned divisions within the County, ensuring that all directives, decisions, policies, resolutions, ordinances, and regulations issued by the Board of County Commissioners and the County Manager are implemented. Responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing community-based programs and services to meet community needs, comply with applicable regulations, and achieve measurable outcomes. Implements plans, programs, and actions consistent with the direction of the County Manager and the Board. Develops strategies and recommends short- and long-range courses of action to the County Manager. Responds to residents' concerns and complaints. This role requires a comprehensive approach to leadership, strong operational management skills, and experience in community engagement.

**Salary will be determined depending on qualifications of candidates who exceed the minimum requirements as outlined within the job description.

**Additional compensation based on licensure.

Note These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills and proven experience as a Director of Community Services or in a similar role.

Directs and coordinates programs within the divisions/sections of Community Assistance, Community Health, Housing Development, Veteran Services, Compliance, and Accounting.

Directs and coordinates the strategies, activities, and personnel of the Community Services Department. Develops, recommends, and implements policies and procedures. Ensures that all programs comply with federal, state, and local regulations and organizational policies.

Provides leadership and supports individuals and groups in program development and service delivery, both internally and externally. Ensures that services are delivered effectively, resources are managed appropriately, and partnerships are strengthened to improve residents' quality of life. Exercises final authority over hiring, performance evaluations, terminations, disciplinary actions, and commendations for assigned personnel.

Responds to residents' concerns and complaints, researches issues, and develops appropriate responses.

Prepares and presents the Department's annual budget and ensures continued compliance with the adopted budget. Identifies and evaluates new and alternative funding sources. Establishes schedules to meet the requirements of the County's budget process.

Additional Duties

Serves as liaison to various boards and councils as assigned.

Performs other duties as assigned or as necessary.

In the event of an emergency, all employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties.

Master's degree in Public Administration, Social Services, or closely related field and seven (7) years' experience is required.

A comparable amount of education, training, or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Knowledge of the theories, practices, and principles of public social services, including grant writing and administration, management practices, and budgeting methodologies.

Experience working with the following grant programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP), Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), Shelter Plus Care (SPC), and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Knowledge of community development; community health, including mental health and substance use initiatives; affordable housing; homelessness; socioeconomic conditions; and the needs of disadvantaged populations. Ability to provide recommendations to County management and guidance to staff to address these issues.

Ability to plan, initiate, and oversee long-range goals for various program areas, including capital improvements, rehabilitation/reconstruction, and opioid settlement-funded programs, while meeting state and federal expenditure deadlines.

Ability to identify community needs and develop appropriate responses or initiatives.

Ability to work effectively with diverse populations of residents and local partners.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct operations effectively. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with assigned staff, supervisors, elected officials, and the general public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel throughout the County, other governmental agencies, local nonprofit organizations, the business community, and the general public.

Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations governing departmental programs preferred. Ability to recommend changes to County policies, laws, rules, and regulations to ensure compliance.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Required to maintain a valid Florida driver's license.
All employees must complete Seminole County's required training.
Additional department-specific training may be required based on the position.