Social Services Director III

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrisonburg/Rockingham County Department of Social Services Board seeks an experienced human services leader to head a Level III social services department. You will supervise managers, work with the Agency Administrative Board, and oversee multiple mandated and non-mandated programs.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, program design, and community partnerships to deliver critical services to children, families, and vulnerable residents in the Harrisonburg area.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in human services, behavioral science, public administration, or related field with supervisory/managerial experience.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal government structures and social services administration.
• Experience managing budgets and coordinating complex programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Social Services Department to ensure compliance across programs.
• Establish procedures, policies and standards; monitor operations and evaluate results.
• Plan and oversee department budget and financial decisions; monitor expenditures.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic planning

Supervision

Budget oversight

Research methods

Policy interpretation

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in human services or related field

Tools

Office software

Job description

The Harrisonburg/Rockingham County Department of Social Services Board is seeking an experienced and dedicated human services professional to lead a Level III social services department in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Harrisonburg, Virginia affectionately known as 'The Friendly City' or 'Rocktown,' is a vibrant, independent city nestled in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Located right along Interstate 81, it sits roughly two hours west of Washington, D.C., and serves as a major cultural, educational, and economic hub for the region.

Harrisonburg is deeply shaped by its dynamic collegiate atmosphere. It is home to James Madison University (JMU), which brings energy, innovation, and major division sports to the community, as well as Eastern Mennonite University (EMU). The presence of these institutions infuses the area with a forward-thinking, diverse, and youthful vibe while maintaining a close-knit, small‑town charm.

The city holds the distinct honor of harboring Virginia's first official Culinary District. Historic Downtown Harrisonburg boasts a highly celebrated, fiercely independent food scene with over 40 locally owned restaurants, diverse global cuisines, artisanal coffee shops, and award‑winning craft breweries and cideries.

Flanked by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west, Harrisonburg is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The area is widely recognized for world‑class road and mountain cycling, fly fishing, and scenic hiking—with quick access to both the Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington National Forest.

THE AGENCY:

HRDSS provides assistances services to:

• 17,191 SNAP recipients - $22M program
• 1,295 TANF recipients - $1M program
• 39,750 Medicaid recipients - $227M program
• 361 children receiving adoption services
• 236 children receiving foster care services
• 3,014 child protective services complaints handled annually
• 768 adult protective services investigations handled annually

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Social Services Director III is the second level in the group for Social Services Directors. Employees are responsible for all social service and financial program areas in a moderate size office with varied and complex programs and for supervising managers. The Director works with and under the direction of the Agency Administrative Board which is comprised of the County Administrator and the City Manager.

GENERAL WORK TASKS:

• Leads and manages the Social Services Department to ensure program compliance for a wide variety and diverse mandated and non‑mandated federal, state, and local programs;
• Establishes procedures, policies and standards; monitors program operations and evaluates effectiveness and results of these programs;
• Plans and oversees complicated accounting systems/department budget and makes financial decisions to achieve policy and program goals; monitors expenditures; makes policy decisions based on internal and external considerations;
• Authorizes, coordinates and directs multiple service, benefit, financial, and administrative divisions;
• Manages and coordinates workflow of deputy director and/or assistant directors that supervise multiple division managers;
• Evaluates effectiveness of established strategies, procedures and policies;
• Plans and develops departmental procedures in response to: disaster preparedness; needs of / agreements with community partners; provision of mass care to citizens and/or the homeless community; the need to deploy staff to police precincts to cover human service needs after normal business hours; the need to collaborate regionally to ensure citizens participate in self-help projects such as the Earned Income Tax Credit; the need to enroll children in health insurance; and the need to provide services to families and children in the most efficient and effective way;
• Designs services, defines objectives and strategies, implements, monitors and evaluates mandated and discretionary social service programs;
• Develops and maintains relationships with external organizations to facilitate program goals;
• Serves as liaison with external organizations, such as boards and committees, professional and service associations, and legal counsel;
• Interviews, hires, and reassigns staff as needed;
• Provides organizational leadership in system design, personnel management, and budget formulation
• Negotiates contracts to support program and policy objectives

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Comprehensive knowledge of: management practices and principles of supervision; program planning, personnel and fiscal management and program funding sources; organization and structure of local, State and Federal government, and volunteer agencies, particularly regarding human services; and research methods and statistical analysis; the current social, economic, and health issues relating to clients in jurisdiction; Social Security Act; laws and regulations on administration of welfare services; social services offered in the county or city; available public and private resources and services for the needy; social work case load management; the methods and techniques of counseling with clients; business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources; principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, and personnel information systems; literature, trends and developments in the field of human services administration; and basic principles of community organization and supervision.

Skill in operating office equipment including the personal computer and related equipment.

Demonstrated ability to: work effectively with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing with diverse group of persons; conduct research; plan and direct social services programs of varied natures; interpret and implement policies and regulations and enforce local, state, federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; manage a complex human services agency with significant management demands having multiple service, benefit, financial and administrative programs and large and diverse staff; mobilize community support and generate community awareness of programs offered in the county; establish and implement effective management and administrative programs and procedures; represent the agency before the Boards or Councils; provide reasoning and application of logical thinking for problem solving; provide leadership in system designs, personnel management, and budget formulation; negotiate contracts to support program and policy objectives; and analyze, initiate, concentrate and be creative with ingenuity.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Master's degree in human services field, behavioural science, counseling, business or public administration or related field supplemented with professional experience in social work or other human services field with considerable supervisory or other management work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience managing a budget. Considerable progressive Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) experience to include a supervisory/management role.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Acceptable background checks and a valid driver's license allowing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of Virginia is required.

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, OMV/driving record check, and/or pre‑employment drug screen.

This investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment), and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

This position is covered under Code of Virginia §63.2-1601.1 or §63.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry.

All offers are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Driving record must meet local agency policy requirements.

Employee must be willing to work in a local emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.