Director of Human Services

Pitkin County; Aspen (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 219,000; Full time

Job summary

Pitkin County Government seeks a Director of Human Services in Aspen, Colorado, to provide strategic leadership for the department and its programs, ensuring high-quality, responsive services for residents and partners.

The role requires building strong relationships with community partners, guiding a high-performing team, and aligning resources with County priorities while ensuring compliance and accountability.

Qualifications

• 3+ years directing a department or cross-functional team.
• 7+ years leading organizational systems and human services programs.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; Colorado driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic direction and oversight of the Human Services Department, including Adult and Senior Services, Veteran Services, Family and Child Welfare Services, Economic Assistance, and ESF 6.
• Leads departmental strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and implementation of priorities.
• Advises County leadership on human services needs, policies, programs, and service delivery; serves as principal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners on all Human Services programming.
• Builds and supports a capable, high-performing leadership team and workforce; establishes expectations and accountability.
• Monitors state and federal policy development affecting human services and represents the County in statewide meetings and partnerships.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and standards.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work/Public Admin

Tools

County software

State software

Job description

Pitkin County Government serves residents, workers, and visitors across 975 square miles in the central Rocky Mountains, including Aspen, Snowmass, Woody Creek, and surrounding communities. Located in the heart of the White River National Forest, the County emphasizes a high quality of life and stewardship of the natural environment. Pitkin County provides a wide range of public services that support community health, safety, and well-being. The organization values collaboration, public trust, and inclusive service delivery. Pitkin County engages with the community through multiple channels, including Facebook and Instagram, to stay connected and transparent.

Role Description

The Director of Human Services is a full-time role based in Aspen, CO. This role is a strategic leader of Pitkin County’s Human Services department, accountable for the complex internal and external systems, relationships, and community partnerships focused on building a resilient, self-sufficient, and connected community. The Director is responsible for effective department operations, strong organizational leadership, and the delivery of high-quality, impactful, responsive services. This role builds trusted relationships with community partners, supports and holds accountable organizations delivering services on the County’s behalf, and ensures responsible stewardship of public resources.

Job Responsibilities

• Provides strategic direction and oversight of the Human Services Department, including Adult and Senior Services, Veteran Services, Family and Child Welfare Services, Economic Assistance, and Emergency Support Function (ESF) 6. Establishes departmental priorities, sets expectations for department leaders, and ensures programs and services meet community needs.
• Leads departmental strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and implementation of priorities.
• Advises County leadership on human services needs, policies, programs, and service delivery. Serves as the principal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners (acting as the Board of Social Services) on all Human Services-related programming and services.
• Builds and supports a capable, high-performing leadership team and workforce. Establishes clear expectations and accountability, develops leadership capacity, and fosters a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.
• Monitors and engages in state and federal policy development affecting human services. Representatives the County in statewide meetings, committees, and partnerships; collaborates with other county human services directors and government agencies; and identifies opportunities to influence policy, secure funding, and strengthen local service delivery.
• Ensures compliance with applicable County, state, and federal laws, regulations, policies, and standards.
• Establishes systems to monitor program performance, service quality, and outcomes, and supports continuous improvement across the department. Manages change and implements and improves systems to support organizational effectiveness.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with community partners, nonprofit organizations, grantees, and other agencies. Provides oversight and accountability for external service partnerships, ensuring services are effective, responsive to community needs, and aligned with County priorities.
• Supports the relationship between Pitkin County government and the general public by demonstrating and being a role model of Pitkin County values when interacting with citizens, visitors, and County staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and County information.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned by the County Manager or Assistant County Manager.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills

• 3+ years' experience as a director of a department or cross-functional team.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience leading organizational systems and relevant areas of expertise, including human services program management.
• Bachelor’s Degree required in Social Work, Public Administration, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.

Knowledge Of

• County organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Organizational development theory and practices.
• Modern technology, systems, and software designed to assist in the computerized management of information.
• Legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct for government officers.
• Principles and practices of public sector administrative management, including personnel rules, cost accounting, budgeting, contract management, and employee supervision.
• Techniques and practices for efficient and cost-effective management of resources.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report presentation.
• Principles and best practices of high-performing teams,talent development, performance management, conflict resolution, and accountability.

Skill In

• Developing and executing strategic plans.
• Applying logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Drafting clear, complete, accurate, and logical written and verbal communications.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
• Utilizing standard personal computer software programs and specialized state and County software.
• Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing, and evaluating the work of staff.
• Providing feedback, coaching, and developing individual and team competencies
• Defining organizational priorities, aligning resources and systems for sustainable implementation, ensuring accountability and effective change management to achieve goals and objectives.
• Cultivating a positive culture and engaged work environment

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.
• Requires travel within the state to multiple business locations within the county, community and regional partners, and events.

Hiring Range $140,254.61 - $219,147.63

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.