SOCIAL SERVICES CHIEF 2

State of Nevada (NV); Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Nevada invites applications for the Social Services Chief 2 in the Family Programs Office. This senior leadership role directs policy development, program operations, and compliance across statewide child welfare programs, ensuring guidance and technical assistance to agencies.

Responsibilities include oversight of staff in research, regulatory analysis, drafting, and presenting statewide policies, while contributing to APSR, CFSP, and budget justifications.

Qualifications

• Requires strong leadership, analytical ability, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of child welfare safety model, foster care, adoption, ICWA, CAPTA activities.
• Adaptability, responsiveness, and effective oversight of assignments and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply program regulations; assure QA and compliance.
• Lead development of automated systems and program policies; draft reports and legislation.
• Coordinate contracts, budget development, and performance monitoring; supervise staff.
• Serve as liaison with agencies, stakeholders, and legislators to advance program goals.
• Oversee statewide data analysis, quality improvement, and program evaluation.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public or business administration or related field

Job description

The Social Services Chief 2 in the Family Programs Office provides statewide leadership in administering child welfare programs by overseeing policy development, program operations, and compliance with federal and state requirements. The role directs staff in research, regulatory analysis, drafting, and presenting statewide policies and procedures while ensuring that agencies receive consistent guidance and technical assistance. It contributes to major statewide and federal reports, including the APSR, CFSP, CFSR-related documents, and budget justifications, and ensures these are produced accurately and on time. The Social Services Chief 2 supports statewide quality improvement through case reviews, data evaluation, audits, and technical assistance activities, and coordinates statewide teams and collaborative efforts to streamline processes, improve operations, and strengthen program implementation. The position requires strong leadership, analytical ability, and communication skills, along with knowledge of the child welfare safety model, foster care, adoption, ICWA, CAPTA-related activities, and specialized service areas. It also demands adaptability, responsiveness, and effective oversight of assignments, deadlines, and evolving program needs. Travel up to 25 percent may be required.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Social Services Chiefs are assigned programmatic responsibilities which include interpretation of program regulations and requirements; quality assurance; development and implementation of automated systems; preparation and distribution of program policies, procedures, standards and guidelines; entering into contracts with service providers; proposing short and long term goals and objectives; preparing draft bills; and testifying before the legislature. At the higher levels in the series, incumbents may also supervise subordinate Social Services Managers who oversee subordinate supervisors and professional staff engaged in the direct delivery of social services to clients.

However, positions allocated to the Chief series spend the preponderance of time managing the overall design, analysis, development, and evaluation of social services programs. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, health or social science, public or business administration or related field and four years of professional social services experience which included directing social services or the operation of a program unit; coordinating program activities with officials and representatives of other agencies; interpretation and application of complex federal regulations, writing program policies, procedures, and reports; and conducting research and preparing recommendations for management. Two years of the required experience must have included supervision of staff at a paraprofessional level or above; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Establish and monitor the accomplishment of unit and program goals and objectives to ensure programs are administered in compliance with federal and State regulations and in accordance with the goals and objectives of the agency.

Analyze and review data and reports regarding program participation and quality assurance activities; analyze economic and demographic trends and statistical data; determine the availability of resources; consult with administrators regarding agency and program goals and objectives.

Coordinate resources and activities with other chiefs and district or regional office managers; establish performance indicators and goals and objectives; monitor staff activities to determine progress in meeting goals and objectives and assess the quality of work performed; determine the impact and effectiveness of completed projects and assignments and plan for future changes or activities.

Direct the development and ensure implementation of State plans, policies, procedures, and support systems to maximize federal financial participation; review and interpret federal and State rules and regulations; research or direct staff to research the financial and operational impact to programs.

Analyze requested changes to computer and accounting systems and establish appropriate priorities; oversee the development of new or revised policies and procedures and secure administrative approval; respond to inquiries and requests for assistance in the implementation of policies, procedures and system changes; make decisions on unusual cases and operational issues; monitor program quality and compliance through review of management reports and results of on-site reviews.

Manage the development, negotiation and monitoring of cooperative agreements and program contracts to ensure services are provided and operations are conducted within program parameters; oversee the development of agreements, contract documents and amendments; evaluate and adjust reimbursement rates; conduct periodic reviews of personnel, equipment and program operations; meet with contractors and program personnel to evaluate performance and resolve problems associated with requirements set forth in agreements or contracts; determine whether financial reimbursement should be withheld in situations of non-compliance.

Develop or participate in the development and justification of legislative proposals to include drafting proposed legislation; determine fiscal and operational impact; gain the approval and support of administrative staff and present the agency's position to the legislature as requested.

Develop or participate in the development of operating and program budgets and monitor approved budgets; develop cost estimates and justification for new or expanded programs, purchase of equipment, and additional personnel; provide recommendations to administrators for incorporation into the agency budget; present budget proposal to the Budget Office and legislature as assigned; monitor revenues and expenditures and recommend alternatives for program operations in shortfall situations.

Supervise professional personnel and support staff and may provide administrative supervision to higher level professionals in a specialized area related to program operations; participate in interviewing applicants and selecting personnel; delegate authority and responsibility to staff; develop work performance standards and complete performance evaluations; ensure appropriate training is provided; provide counseling and guidance and initiate or recommend disciplinary actions.

Serve as a liaison with a variety of groups and individuals, professional advisory groups, community groups, federal staff at the regional and national levels, district attorneys and judges, the media, agency and division administrators, district and regional managers, and government officials to provide and gather information and to explain program policies and procedures.

Promote program goals and objectives; facilitate advisory group meetings; coordinate program activities among units, State agencies, and local government or community agencies; negotiate solutions to problems and resolve conflicts; and consult with federal regional program administrators on complex program issues.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Under general direction, incumbents exercise direct control over the policy and system planning, development and monitoring aspects of a statewide social services program serving a targeted population such as elderly Medicaid clients.

Incumbents at this level supervise subordinate managers, supervisors and professional staff located in district or regional offices throughout the State.

Incumbents enter into contracts for services and interlocal agreements with other State agencies to provide services. Additionally, incumbents prepare and monitor budget balances in regard to services requested and provided; approve payments in accordance with established policies, regulations, and program requirements; and assess and reassess client needs.

This level in the series is distinguished from the Social Services Chief I by the broader scope of responsibility; greater complexity of the programs monitored; the diversity of services provided by professional staff; and greater number and higher level staff supervised directly and indirectly.

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Working knowledge of:

• methods and procedures of efficient administration
• principles and practices of management and supervision
• federal and State laws and regulations governing social and health care services
• quality management principles
• effective change management
• effective management practices including budget development, resource allocation and personnel administration
• federal and State laws and regulations which govern assigned programs
• goals, objectives and federal guidelines for assigned social services programs
• department, division, and unit goals, systems, programs, and policies related to the program assignment
• principles and practices of social services administration
• State and agency administrative regulations, policies, and procedures
• methods of program administration, program terminology, and acceptable program practices

General knowledge of:

• State budgeting and accounting practices

Ability to:

• review and analyze legislative documents and correspondence
• sell or promote ideas, programs, policies, and procedures to staff, administration, legal entities, and the public
• formulate policies, program decisions, contracts and staffing plans
• coordinate the work of a number of diverse work units using leadership, communication and negotiation skills
• define cause and effect relationships in areas of program compliance
• develop and manage a complex budget
• coordinate the development and maintenance of automated systems
• accurately evaluate program effectiveness and accountability and determine what changes are needed to improve the program
• identify training and education needs and available resources that are applicable and effective

Skill in:

• financial analysis and planning and budget administration