Assistant Social Services Director

Salary : $91,299.01 - $150,643.36 Annually
Location : Social Services Main Hickory, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 02102
Department: Social Services
Opening Date: 02/14/2025
Closing Date: 2/28/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Position Description
Catawba County Social Services seeks a highly effective communicator and strategic thinker with dynamic leadership skills to fill the role of Assistant Social Services Director - Child & Family Services Division. This person will demonstrate a solid understanding of the many complex "systems" to see the overarching interface of various Social Services Programs and our state/federal mandates. An innovative and progressive environment with cutting edge services, Catawba County Social Services currently comprises 375+ full time staff and multiple program areas.
SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION AND CULTURE:

Catawba County Social Services is a mission-driven organization dedicated to strengthening the well-being and quality of life for all citizens with dignity and respect. We provide a wide range of essential services, including child and adult protection, foster care, clinical support, child support enforcement, public assistance programs, and more. Our team is deeply committed to serving our community with compassion, professionalism, and unwavering integrity. We value people-both the individuals and families who rely on us and the dedicated professionals who make our work possible. We are seeking an Assistant Director who embodies our culture of excellence, communication, and service, with a strong command of Child and Family Services laws and policies and a steadfast commitment to protecting vulnerable children, families, and adults. If you are a leader who values teamwork, innovation, and making a lasting impact, we invite you to join us.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day administrative oversight of Child Welfare programs, including CPS Intake & Assessment, CPS Family In-Home, Foster Care, Resource Home Recruitment & Licensing, Adoptions, Post Care, Clinical Services (Family NET), Prevention, and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
• Ensure compliance with state and federal mandates, community initiatives, division outcomes, and personnel management.
• Supervise and support four Program Managers and the Lead Department Attorney, ensuring program outcomes, staff training, work plans, and performance evaluations are met.
• Actively participate in executive and senior management teams to align programs, achieve outcomes, communicate effectively, engage the Board, and maintain program sustainability.
• Serve as a representative of the Division, collaborating with state and county agencies, hospitals, courts, facilities, providers, stakeholders, community organizations, and the public.
• Lead, advocate, and support community planning efforts in Catawba County to foster collaboration between public and private sectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related degree (i.e.: Public Administration, Business Administration, etc.) and 4 years of experience in social services or human services administration as a director, assistant director, or major division leader;
• Master's degree in Social Work or Human Services preferred.

Further Qualifications:

• A valid Driver's license with a safe driving record
• Demonstrated understanding of the Social Service system in order to interface in a wide variety of ways with both external and internal customers
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with others to develop and maintain innovative services
• Superb leadership skills to include strong management skills with the ability to strategically think, provide vision, plan, and problem solve creatively
• Strong analytical, multi-tasking, and organizational ability to oversee multiple program arenas within Social Services

Catawba County Benefits
As of 7/1/2024:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization. Available benefits include:
Health Care

• Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
• Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren) and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
• Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents, with 2 plan options to choose from.
• Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts which can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision expenses.

Employee Wellness

• Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care available to employee's children ages 5-17 regardless of health insurance coverage and for employee's adult children (ages 18-26) or employee's spouse if covered on the county's health insurance.
• Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education and more.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

Work Life Balance

• Annual Leave: Full-time employees earn from 10-21 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
• Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
• Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Time off for activities that support our local schools.
• Continuing educational assistance.
• Discount tickets to recreational venues.
• Employee appreciation days/activities.
• Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.

Financial Security

• Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
• 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
• Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
• Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
• Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times employee's annual salary with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
• Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).

01

In a constantly evolving social services environment, leaders must be proactive in addressing challenges. Share an example of how you identified an issue within a social services program and implemented an innovative or strategic solution that improved outcomes for clients or enhanced agency operations.
02

Supporting and developing staff is critical in a high-demand field like social services. How have you successfully mentored, coached, or retained employees in a leadership role? What strategies do you use to build and sustain a strong team?
03

As an Assistant Director, you will play a key role in budgeting, resource allocation, and operational management. Share your experience managing budgets, staffing allocations, or process improvements. How have you balanced fiscal responsibility with maintaining high-quality services?
Required Question