Social Services Assistant County Operations Manager (#MDDM01)
$61,258.00 Yearly Min / $76,573.00 Yearly Mid / $91,888.00 Yearly Max

A class incumbent oversees the day to day operation of multiple programs on a regional basis, by directing and evaluating the work of subordinate supervisors and ensuring their compliance with federal and state regulations, as well as Department and Division policies.

• Responsible for directly supervising 6 to 12 staff and for indirectly supervising child welfare operating unit staff of approximately 50 or more supervisory, professional and paraprofessional employees, including arranging after hours coverage for supervision of youth based on emergency situations.

A class incumbent reports to the County Operations Manager and oversees the work of supervisory case managers and their subordinates including overseeing the multidisciplinary process of joint investigations of issues such as child death investigations, safe care for infants with prenatal drug exposure, and extrafamilial human trafficking investigations.  An incumbent is responsible for hiring and training subordinates and for reviewing, assessing, and evaluating the effectiveness of services provided to client and family by subordinate personnel. A significant aspect of the work involves providing technical assistance on complex cases and interpretation of regulations and policies.  A class incumbent at this level functions as a member of the senior management team, studying statewide needs and issues.  Work will also involves contact with program development managers, other state, private and community agencies, courts and law enforcement officials; serves on task forces and committees.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Oversees the daily operations of child welfare units including intake, investigation, treatment, foster care, and permanency planning through supervisory staff, including arranging after hours coverage for supervision of youth based on emergency situations.
   
• Supervision is exercised over at least two or more merit full time positions per the Merit Rules. The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, recommending hire/fire and discipline.
   
• Ensures the provision of effective services based upon the individual needs of children and adult caretakers and ensures adherence to contact standards, division policy, court orders, state and federal laws. Provides details to other Division staff about performance measures related to federal and state requirements, as well as Division policies.
   
• Identifies service delivery problems within daily operations and based on best practices.
   
• Serves on the division leadership team; participates in regional and statewide meetings; participates as part of stakeholder groups and ensures completion of mandatory training for case management staff.
   
• Approves funding requests for employee reimbursements or special payments to either clients or service providers such as purchase of beds for foster care, paying electric bills, etc. when requested by staff on a 24/7 basis.
   
• Oversees and supervises the implementation of new and revised program and/or service delivery procedures. Participates in multiple meetings at the statewide level to discuss services in different program areas.
   
• Collects data and prepares monthly statistical reports for division and department leadership regarding case activity and practice to include items such as: caseload standards, caseload counts and demographics, personnel and performance measures. Prepares analytical reports on specific cases as requested by superiors.
   
• Participates on committees and task forces studying existing or proposed policies and services.
   
• Works with other state, community or private social service providers to ensure quality services to clients.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of managerial principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of health and human services including child protective and child welfare services.
• Knowledge of merit system, union contracts and personnel policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of available community services in state and out-of-state.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations.
• Skill in communication, policy interpretation and problem analysis and resolution.
• Skill in project and program development, evaluation, design and monitoring.
• Skill in analyzing program data and preparing and interpreting statistical reports.
• Ability to motivate and supervise subordinates.
• Ability to develop long range plans and objectives for services for children and families.
• Ability to provide technical advice to program staff and contractors.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community service groups, staff and other state and department agency personnel.
• Ability to analyze complex federal reports and determine implications on the State/Department.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Social Services Assistant County Operations Manager
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Behavioral or Social Science or related field.
2. Three years’ experience in health or human services work such as applying theories, principles, laws and practices of health or human services programs and services that assist with and improve life for individuals, families, or communities such as financial support, employment, unemployment, housing, health care, disease prevention, substance abuse, child protective services, physical/mental health treatment and prevention or rehabilitation.
3. Three years’ experience in project management such as planning, developing, implementing, managing and evaluating projects to ensure objectives are met.
4. Three years’ experience in providing, coordinating, and monitoring the delivery of professional social services to children, youth, and their families.
5. Three years’ experience in ensuring compliance with laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
6. Two years’ experience in staff supervision which includes planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of others.