Social Services Director

Chukchansi Tribe; Oakhurst (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Chukchansi Tribe in Oakhurst, California is seeking a Director of Social Services to provide strategic leadership for the Department of Social Services and ensure services align with Tribal priorities and laws.

You will oversee program development, budgeting, staff supervision, and grant administration, while building partnerships with community organizations and regulatory agencies to deliver culturally responsive services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 5+ years of social services experience.
• 3+ years of supervisory/management experience.
• Experience in program development, budgeting, and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and housing-first principles.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive, community-centered service delivery.
• Strong communication, public speaking, and partnership-building skills.
• Experience using program data and needs assessments for planning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enforce administrative policies aligned with departmental goals.
• Provide strategic leadership and long-range planning for the Department of Social Services.
• Meet with program coordinators to evaluate effectiveness and address gaps.
• Conduct research on community needs to set program direction.
• Oversee planning, implementation, and evaluation of social service programs.
• Provide leadership and operational oversight across multiple programs and services.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the department budget and resources.
• Maintain records including budgets, fiscal reports, and evaluations.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff for high performance.
• Foster accountability, staff development, and continuous improvement.
• Support grant development, administration, compliance, and reporting.
• Establish partnerships with organizations, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Skills

5+ years experience

Supervisory experience

Program development

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Harm reduction

Trauma-informed care

Housing-first principles

Cultural responsiveness

Mental health knowledge

Public speaking

Partnership building

Advocacy

Program data/needs assessments

Driver's license

Background check

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Behavioral Health, Public Administration, Public Health, or related field

Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Behavioral Health, Public Administration, Public Health, or related field

LMSW or LCSW certification or other applicable professional license/certification

Job description

Job Title: Social Services Director
Department: Social Services
Reports To: Tribal Administrator
Classification: Exempt
Status: Full-Time w/ Benefits
Salary Range: $110,000 – $130,000 Annually
Location: Oakhurst, CA

Job postings remain open for up to thirty (30) days or until a qualified candidate is selected. The organization reserves the right to close a posting at any time without prior notice, based on the hiring needs.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Social Services is responsible for the strategic, fiscal, and operational leadership of the Department of Social Services and the delivery of services to the PRCI Tribal Community. The Director plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates social service programs; identifies community needs and service gaps; establishes departmental priorities and performance measures; and ensures programs and services are aligned with Tribal priorities, cultural values, and applicable laws and regulations. The position requires a high level of confidentiality, sound judgment, and sensitivity when working with individuals and families experiencing complex or traumatic circumstances.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develop and enforce administrative policies and procedures aligned with departmental objectives and goals.
• Provide strategic leadership and long-range planning for the Department of Social Services, ensuring departmental programs and services align with Tribal priorities, community needs, and organizational goals.
• Meet with program coordinators to evaluate program effectiveness and address service gaps.
• Conduct research and analysis of Tribal community needs to establish program goals and direction.
• Oversee planning, implementation, and evaluation of social service programs.
• Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for departmental programs and services, which may include Domestic Violence, Human Services, Youth Services, Mental Health, Prevention Services, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) services, and other programs established to meet the needs of the Tribal Community.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the departmental budget and resources to promote fiscal accountability, sustainability, and effective use of Tribal and grant-funded resources.
• Maintain accurate records and reports including budgets, fiscal reports, and performance evaluations.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff to ensure high performance and development.
• Foster a high-performing department through staff development, accountability, leadership development, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
• Support program coordinators with needs assessments, complaint resolution, and advocacy issues.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with organizations, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with Tribal departments, governmental agencies, healthcare providers, schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to promote coordinated and culturally responsive services.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing social service programs.
• Monitor Tribal, federal, state, and other applicable laws, regulations, funding requirements, and emerging trends affecting social service programs and recommend appropriate operational or policy changes.
• Analyze proposed legislation and regulations for impact on services.
• Establish performance measures and utilize data, program evaluations, and community needs assessments to improve service delivery, identify service gaps, and support informed decision-making.
• Promote a culture of accountability, confidentiality, compliance, innovation, and responsive service delivery throughout the Department.
• Provide progress reports to Tribal Council and General Membership.
• Provide recommendations and reports to Tribal leadership regarding departmental priorities, program performance, emerging community needs, policy considerations, and long-range planning.
• Assist with research, drafting, and submission of grant proposals.
• Support grant development, administration, compliance, and reporting, as applicable.
• Perform other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Behavioral Health, Public Administration, Public Health, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in social services, human services, behavioral health, public health, community health, or a closely related field.
• At least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in program development, implementation, administration, budgeting, and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and housing-first principles.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive and community-centered service delivery.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health conditions or serious health issues.
• Strong communication, public speaking, partnership-building, and advocacy skills.
• Experience utilizing program data, performance measures, or needs assessments to support program planning and service improvement is preferred.
• Valid Driver's License with no restrictions and the ability to meet the organization's driving requirements.
• Successful completion of background investigation and pre-employment drug/alcohol screening.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible experience may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Behavioral Health, Public Administration, Public Health, or a related field.
• Current LMSW or LCSW certification or other applicable professional license or certification.
• Experience working in a Tribal, governmental, nonprofit, or community-based social services environment.
• Experience administering grant-funded programs and services.
• Experience working with programs or services involving ICWA, behavioral health, domestic violence, youth services, prevention services, or other community-based human services.

Tribal Preference:

In accordance with applicable Tribal law and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians (PRCI) Administration provides employment preference to enrolled PRCI Tribal Members. To qualify, applicants must submit valid proof of enrollment. Tribal Members who meet the minimum qualifications will be given preference in hiring, promotion, transfer, and layoff decisions. During the interview process, PRCI Tribal Members will receive an additional 7.5 points (10% of the 75-point interview rubric). Non-PRCI Native American candidates will receive an additional 5 points (6.7% of the total points) in accordance with Indian Preference guidelines.

INDIAN PREFERENCE STATEMENT:

In compliance with 25 CFR Part 276 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Sections 701(b) and 703(i), employment preference shall be given to qualified applicants who are enrolled members of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, and secondarily, to another qualified American Indian/Alaska Native Candidate.