I. PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The purpose of the Department of Social Services is to administratively direct and oversee the agency's delivery of social services programs to individuals and families in the county. The Department ensures that services and programs are delivered in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, program policies, and applicable standards.

II. PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION

The purpose of this position is to serve as the Deputy Human Services Director and second-in- command for McDowell County Human Services, providing administrative leadership, oversight, coordination, and support across all Human Services program areas. The Deputy Human Services Director is responsible for providing administrative oversight and leadership across the full range of Human Services programs, including, but not limited to, Children's Services, Adult Services, Child Support Services, Economic Services, Veterans Affairs, McDowell Transit, the Senior Center Program, and other programs and services assigned to Human Services. The position serves as the second-in-command in all Human Services areas and works closely with program administrators, managers, and supervisors to ensure effective service delivery, compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, sound administrative practices, and achievement of departmental goals. The Deputy Human Services Director assists the Human Services Director with department-wide planning, organizational development, policy implementation, personnel matters, budgeting, program performance, compliance, community partnerships, and operational improvement. In the absence of the Human Services Director, the Deputy Human Services Director is responsible for ensuring administrative oversight and continuity of operations for all Human Services areas. The Deputy Director shall provide direction and coordination to program leadership, address significant operational matters, represent the department as appropriate, and ensure that essential Human Services functions continue effectively. The position may provide direct administrative support, consultation, problem-solving, and leadership to any Human Services program when requested by the Human Services Director or when circumstances require department-wide administrative oversight. The position works under the direct supervision of the Human Services Director. Work Schedule The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The employee may also receive after-hours contact for supervisory consultation from Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adult Services, and other Human Services programs as needed. This is an exempt position. A.

Planning The position:

1. Works with assigned program administrators, program managers, and supervisors to ensure effective delivery of services and appropriate allocation of staff and other resources. 2. Coordinates with divisions throughout Human Services and organizations throughout the community such as the McDowell County Sheriff's Department, Department of Juvenile Justice, McDowell County Schools, and other community partners. 3. Provides input into agency planning processes as a member of the Human Services management team. 4. Serves on local committees to provide input regarding new procedures that affect the delivery of Human Services and works to create strong partnerships with McDowell Human Services. 5. Consults with the Human Services Director regarding the planning and implementation of new activities and ideas to grow services and support to those in the community. 6. Keeps the Human Services Director informed of trends, changes, and problems affecting assigned programs and the department as a whole. B.

Organizing and Directing The position:

1. Confers with program administrators, program managers, and supervisors regarding issues affecting program goals, objectives, policies, and delivery of Human Services. 2. Meets with appropriate state and county partners to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and requirements. 3. Recommends changes in organizational structure and workflow when appropriate. 4. Delegates daily operational matters to program administrators, managers, and supervisors within McDowell Human Services. 5. Provides administrative direction and support across Human Services program areas while maintaining appropriate program-level supervisory structures. C. Department-Wide Human Services Administrative Oversight The position: 1. Serves as the second-in-command for McDowell County Human Services and provides administrative leadership and oversight across all Human Services programs. 2. Provides administrative support, consultation, and oversight to McDowell Transit, the Senior Center Program, Child Support Services, Veterans Affairs, Economic Services, Children's Services, Adult Services, and other Human Services programs as assigned. 3. Maintains a working knowledge of the operations, responsibilities, policies, regulations, and service-delivery requirements of Human Services programs sufficient to provide effective administrative support and guidance. 4. Works collaboratively with program administrators, managers, and supervisors to identify operational challenges, develop solutions, improve efficiency, and ensure effective service delivery. 5. Supports program leadership in addressing personnel, staffing, workflow, fiscal, compliance, performance, customer service, and other administrative matters. 6. Promotes communication and collaboration among Human Services programs and assists in coordinating services and resources across program areas. 7. Assists the Human Services Director with department-wide strategic planning, organizational development, policy development, budget planning, program evaluation, performance management, and implementation of county priorities. 8. Provides administrative leadership during staffing shortages, emergencies, critical incidents, organizational transitions, or other circumstances requiring additional departmental oversight. McDowell County Department of Social Services - Human Services Deputy Director 1. Represents the Human Services Director or Human Services Department, when designated, in meetings with County Administration, County Commissioners, state agencies, community partners, and other governmental or community organizations. 2. In the absence of the Human Services Director, assumes responsibility for administrative oversight of all Human Services areas and provides leadership necessary to maintain continuity of departmental operations and services. 3. In the absence of the Human Services Director, serves as the primary administrative point of coordination for significant operational, personnel, fiscal, programmatic, and community matters affecting Human Services. 4. Ensures that significant issues arising during the absence of the Human Services Director are appropriately addressed, documented, and communicated to the Human Services Director upon their return. 5. Performs other duties and assumes additional responsibilities as assigned by the Human Services Director. D. Budgeting The position may recommend budgetary needs to the Human Services Director for services, programs, staffing, and resources based on input from program administrators, managers, supervisors, and applicable county or state partners. E.

Training The position:

1. Ensures program administrators, managers, and supervisors provide necessary on-the-job training. 2. Arranges training provided by NC DHHS staff and other professionals as appropriate. 3. Provides orientation for new employees and ensures onboarding procedures are followed. 4. Assesses training processes and makes modifications as needed to support Human Services. F. Setting Work Standards The position ensures compliance with federal, state, and county laws, regulations, policies, and professional ethics through ongoing communication and consultation with supervisors, staff, community professionals, state officials, and other appropriate partners. G. Reviewing Work The position reviews the quality and quantity of work performed by assigned staff by: 1. Analyzing information gathered through conferences with program administrators, managers, supervisors, and staff. 2. Reviewing records. 3. Reviewing statistical and program data. 4. Monitoring compliance with applicable standards and requirements. H.

Counseling and Disciplining The position:

1. Conferences with program administrators, managers, and supervisors regarding initial employee disciplinary actions. 2. Approves and participates in verbal warnings. 3. Makes recommendations and participates in written warnings. 4. Makes recommendations for dismissal to the Human Services Director. I.

Other Personnel Functions The position:

1. Participates in the interviewing and selection of new employees. 2. Recommends the hiring of supervisors and program leadership to the Human Services Director. 3. Evaluates the performance of supervisors and program managers through written and verbal supervisory conferences. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

IV. OTHER POSITION CHARACTERISTICS 1.

Accuracy Required in Work The position requires an ongoing working knowledge of federal and state general statutes, as well as federal, state, and local policies and rules governing Human Services programs and the delivery of services for which the Department is responsible. The position is responsible for ensuring that staff receive all training required by law, including training regarding new policies and procedures. The work is frequently affected by changes in policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and laws. Accuracy also requires regular follow-up and review of work performed by assigned staff to ensure adherence to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and standards governing Human Services programs. 2. Consequence of Error Ineffective or poorly prepared work in this position could result in inappropriate decisions that lead to ineffective interventions, failure to provide appropriate services, disruption of essential Human Services operations, or failure to meet applicable federal, state, and local requirements. Such circumstances could create liability for both the Department and the County. Errors in budgetary, administrative, compliance, or programmatic matters could result in insufficient resources, loss of funding, disruption of services, or adverse impacts on individuals and families receiving services. Failure to provide appropriate administrative oversight could negatively affect service delivery, employee performance, program compliance, and the Department's ability to meet its responsibilities to the community. 3. Instructions Provided to Employee Annual continuing education in Human Services programs and other related areas is beneficial to the supervisory, administrative, and managerial responsibilities of this position. Other sources of instruction include, but are not limited to: 1. The written job description. 2. Verbal consultations and written communications with the Human Services Director and other agency management team members. 3. DHHS policy changes and administrative letters regarding policy updates and program changes. 4. Participation in agency, county, regional, and state meetings and conferences. 5. Technical assistance and instruction provided by designated state and county officials responsible for oversight of programs assigned to this position. 4. Guides, Regulations, Policies, and References Used The employee utilizes and follows: 1. NCDHHS Manuals and Administrative Letters. 2. Applicable North Carolina General Statutes. 3. County Personnel Handbook. 4. State and county monthly program and case management reports. 5. Other applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, and guidelines. 5. Supervision Received The individual in this position reports directly to and is supervised by the Human Services Director. Supervision is provided through individual supervisory consultations and ongoing communication regarding department-wide administrative, operational, personnel, fiscal, and programmatic matters. 6. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts The employee is administratively and professionally responsible for providing oversight and support to Human Services program leadership and assigned staff. The position typically involves frequent contact with: ? Program Administrators and Program Managers. ? Social Work Supervisors and other supervisors. ? Social workers and direct service staff. ? Economic Services staff. ? Child Support Services staff. ? Veterans Affairs staff. ? McDowell Transit staff. ? Senior Center Program staff. ? Other Human Services personnel. ? The Human Services Director. ? County Administration and other county departments. ? State and federal agency representatives. ? Community professionals, school officials, court officials, and other community partners. The employee may interact directly with clients and community members regarding concerns about the delivery of services, administrative matters, or questions about agency and community resources. Contacts may occur through telephone calls, office visits, staff meetings, community boards and committees, training and professional development activities, email, and other written communication. The employee also gathers and analyzes programmatic information and advises the Human Services Director regarding service patterns, trends, resources, needs, and operational concerns across Human Services. 7. Work Environment and Conditions The position is housed in the Human Services building and primarily performs office and community- based work. The position may require travel to county facilities, program locations, community meetings, and partner agencies. 8. Safety for Others The position is responsible for ensuring that assigned staff follow appropriate safety policies and procedures, including protocols related to specific client situations and other potentially hazardous circumstances. Dynamics of Work This position involves frequent changes in methodology, guidelines, policies, program requirements, organizational priorities, and community needs. These changes require program administrators, managers, and supervisors to understand and accurately communicate updated information to assigned staff and to demonstrate flexibility in adapting work practices to meet the needs of the agency and assigned program areas.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The employee should possess: Considerable knowledge of the methods and principles of casework supervision and training. Considerable knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to specific casework and community problems. Considerable knowledge of behavioral and socioeconomic problems and their treatment. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and community resources in McDowell County. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies governing social work programs. Skill in supervising, training, and orienting lower-level social workers, program managers, social work supervisor, and social workers. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely. Ability to plan, organize, and execute work effectively.

REQUIRED MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Applicants must meet one of the following combinations of education and experience: 1. Master's degree from an accredited school of social work and three years of social work or counseling experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity; or 2. Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and four years of social work or counseling experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity; or 3. Master's degree in a counseling field and four years of social work or counseling experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity; or 4. Four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum, including at least 15 semester hours of coursework related to social work or counseling, and five years of social work or counseling experience, including two years in a supervisory capacity; or 5. Graduation from a four-year college or university and six years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling, or a related human services field providing experience in casework, group work, or community organization, including two years in a supervisory capacity; or 6. An equivalent combination of training and experience.