SOCIAL SERVICES AREA MANAGER

State of Arkansas; Texarkana, Northern (AR, KY); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Maternity leave

Paid state holidays

Job summary

The State of Arkansas Department of Human Services seeks a Social Services Area Manager to lead regional programs across multiple counties. This executive oversees program delivery, staff supervision, and compliance with laws while ensuring equity and service quality.

You will drive strategic planning, budget oversight, and stakeholder collaboration to meet client needs, protect vulnerable populations, and align with central office directives.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of state and federal laws related to social services, public assistance, protective services, and eligibility programs.
• Knowledge of budget development, resource allocation, data analysis, and personnel management.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse communities and uphold confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Direct the planning, development, and implementation of regional social services across counties.
• Supervise large staff with coaching, performance evaluation, and development.
• Monitor program metrics, outcomes, and client satisfaction for quality and equity.
• Ensure compliance with state/federal laws, regulations, and accreditation requirements.
• Develop area goals to meet client needs and support vulnerable populations.
• Represent the department in community meetings and interagency collaborations.
• Liaise between regional operations and central leadership for policy implementation.
• Oversee audits, investigations, and corrective action plans as needed.
• Ensure equitable access to services for underserved populations.

Skills

Public administration

Staff supervision

Budget management

Policy implementation

Communication

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Position Number: 22100247
County: Miller
Posting End Date: September 17, 2026

Direct the planning, development, and implementation of all regional social service programs across counties within the assigned area. Supervise large staff; ensure effective coaching, performance evaluation, and professional development. Monitor program performance metrics, service outcomes, and client satisfaction to ensure program quality, equity, and effectiveness.

Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, agency standards, and accreditation requirements. Develop area-specific goals and strategies to meet client needs and support vulnerable populations. Representing the department in community meetings, stakeholder engagements, and interagency collaborations. Serve as the primary liaison between regional operations and central office leadership for policy implementation, feedback, and operational planning. Oversee incident response, audits, investigations, and corrective action plans as needed. Ensure equitable access to services and support for marginalized and underserved populations.

The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.

Position Information

Job Series: Social Services Programs - Competitive

Classification: Social Services Area Manager

Class Code: SSP09C

Pay Grade: SGS11

Salary Range: $83,969 - $124,274

Job Summary

The Social Services Area Manager serves as the highest regional-level administrator responsible for the management and delivery of comprehensive social service programs within a designated multi-county area. This position provides strategic leadership, oversight of regional operations, program implementation, compliance monitoring, and staff supervision to ensure the consistent delivery of services such as child welfare, adult protective services, public assistance, and other community-based programs.

Primary Responsibilities

Direct the planning, development, and implementation of all regional social service programs across counties within the assigned area.Supervise large staff; ensure effective coaching, performance evaluation, and professional development.Monitor program performance metrics, service outcomes, and client satisfaction to ensure program quality, equity, and effectiveness.Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, agency standards, and accreditation requirements.Develop area-specific goals and strategies to meet client needs and support vulnerable populations.Manage the area budget, approve expenditures, allocate resources, and ensure cost-effective operations.Represent the department in community meetings, stakeholder engagements, and interagency collaborations.Serve as the primary liaison between regional operations and central office leadership for policy implementation, feedback, and operational planning.Oversee incident response, audits, investigations, and corrective action plans as needed.Ensure equitable access to services and support for marginalized and underserved populations.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of state and federal laws related to social services, public assistance, protective services, and eligibility programs.Knowledge of budget development, resource allocation, data analysis, and personnel management.Ability to develop partnerships, lead large and diverse teams, interpret legal documentation.Ability to communicate effectively with diverse communities, remain ethical and uphold confidentiality, and analyze programming.Skilled in time management, organization, and problem solving.Skilled in crisis management, conflict resolution, public speaking, and budget analysis.

Minimum Qualifications

At least five years of experience in human services, social services, public administration, or a related field, including two years in a leadership capacity.

Licensure/Certifications

N/AOTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.