CANDIDATE PROFILE

MECKLENBURG COUNTY IS SEEKING ADEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THEDEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Mecklenburg County is home to approximately 1,000,000 residents and the City of Charlotte. With 6.9 million residents within 100 miles, Mecklenburg County and Charlotte lie in the heart of a region that is the sixth largest urban area in the United States. Mecklenburg County has the largest population of any county in the State of North Carolina. The County includes the City of Charlotte; the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville (north of Charlotte); and the towns of Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville (south and southeast of Charlotte). Mecklenburg County is the most populous county between Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C. In fact, between 2005 and 2015, the metropolitan region’s population growth rate averaged 2.6 percent. Over the last decade, Mecklenburg County has attracted a large and growing number of people from around the country and the world. As a major hub for American

Airlines – one of the country’s largest airlines – it is easy to get to Mecklenburg County. This access has helped attract several Fortune 500 and 1000 companies that bring millions of investment dollars into the local economy. With a world-renowned park and recreation system, a range of professional and minor league sports teams, and diverse communities, people who come to Mecklenburg County find an energized downtown and a variety of living options. The North Carolina Constitution gives residents of all counties the right to elect a Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Since 1994, Mecklenburg County has been governed by a nine-member BOCC with six members elected by districts and three elected at– large. The BOCC appoints a County Manager who is the CEO of the organization. For more information about Mecklenburg County, please visit the County website at MeckNC.gov.

The Department of Social Services Values: Programs and services provided by the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) are funded through federal, state and county revenues, in addition to grants and other donations in order to meet the community’s priorities as defined by the Board of County Commissioners. • Respect and Trust • Strive for Excellence • Do the Right Thing • Service with Compassion

The Department is comprised of four divisions, which include:

Community Resources Division Community Resources works to remove barriers to ensure that people with safety, security and well-being needs receive the services they need. The division provides services in the following areas: community social work, general assistance, child care and partnership services.

Economic Services Division The Economic Services Division administers federal and state mandated programs for eligible families, which include Food & Nutrition Services; Medicaid (for Families, Children and Adults); Work First Family Assistance and Work First Employment Services.

Services for Adults Division This Division provides services for, and information to, older and/or disabled adults. The Division’s goal is to enhance customer self-sufficiency and accessibility to available resources. Major programs include In-Home Aide; Senior Citizens Nutrition Program; Adult Social Work and Adult Medicaid.

Youth and Family Services Division Youth and Family Services provides services and information to protect children by strengthening the capacity for self-sufficiency of families whose children’s health, welfare and safety are at risk. Major components include Intake Services, Child Protective Services Investigations, Family Interventions, Permanency Planning, Adoption and Resource Development.

The Department of Social Services is committed to enhancing the collaboration with other departments and agencies to integrate service delivery through a targeted, deliberate and intentional approach, thereby enabling customers to receive additional support to further improve their quality of life.

Mission: We strengthen families and communities through a safety-net of services, collaborations and hope.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S POSITION

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The Deputy Director’s role is to provide leadership in the absence of the Director of Social Services and will provide overall management of the internal day-to-day operations of the Department of Social Services (DSS) and leadership in assigned organizational change initiatives. The incumbent provides leadership, guidance and direction to the DSS Senior Management Team and directly supervises Division Directors and other staff as assigned. Further, this position ensures effective, efficient and fiscally responsible operations which are compliant with county, state and federal policies, regulations, and statutes.

The Deputy Director will manage a staff of approximately 800 people and a budget of roughly $80 million. Additionally, the role provides oversight and direction for internal operations; serves as a liaison with outside agencies; is heavily involved in policy making; has resource responsibilities; and is responsible for setting the climate on issues related to state politics and policies.

• Provide strategic leadership to all DSS staff

• Provide leadership to the DSS Senior Leadership Team (SET), working closely with the Department Director and other Deputy Director

• Lead organizational change

• Provide direct supervision to Division Directors of Economic Services and Services for Adults as well as the Administration Manager of Business Affairs and Compli-ance Manager

• Fiscal oversight through department budget prepa-ration, monitoring of revenues and expenses and fiscal analysis of various initiatives

• Act as the DSS Director’s designee by performing du-ties as specified by NCGS108A14.

• Provides executive level leadership and guidance across departmental divisions/teams.

• Assists the department director in setting the tone and culture of the department by leading by example

• Collaborates with the division directors for improve-ment initiatives, accreditation, performance indicators and quality improvement projects

• Establishes and maintains regular meeting schedules with direct reports to ensure timely communication and attention to issues and or projects/initiatives

• Monitors and evaluates new operations to ensure alignment with departmental mission/vision and goals

• Assists with strategic planning, budget planning and communicating with internal and external stakeholders

EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

• 7+years management experience, of which 5+years in a position equivalent to or greater than a Division Director, with a large span of control and wide ranging accountabilities

• Prior experience in planning, budgeting (operating and capital), and/or evaluation

• Five or more years’ interpreting and implementing local, state and federal regulations

• Knowledge of Mecklenburg County enterprise wide resources

• Able to effectively analyze, communicate, navigate, negotiate and network internally and externally

• Skills to prepare, manage and maximize a budget; Skills and knowledge to interpret and implement local, state and federal regulations that govern DSS

• Skills to explain and advocate for the needs of children, families, the elderly, disabled adults and the impoverished; demonstrated strategic leadership skills

• Excellent communication skills – both written and spoken; Active Listening - Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others

• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with customers and co-workers; Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals

• Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type

• Coaching and Development - Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas.

• Collaboration – ability to work closely with other Directors, Departments, community organizations, and elected officials to provide enhanced services to meet the mission of DSS

• Vision – A demonstrated ability to envision what could be, build coalitions and bring that vision to reality

• Servant Leadership – Knowledge of and commitment to practicing the servant leadership philosophy of putting the needs of others before yourself

• A demonstrated commitment to equity and the reduction of implicit bias as well as a commitment to outcomes

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, finance, economics, organizational development, and/or a related field to governmental budgeting, planning, and evaluation or 7+ years of directly applicable experience may be substituted for degree. Master’s degree in related field is preferred.

Licensing Requirements: Some positions may require Valid Driver’s License, Licensure related to the area managed.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

A competitive salary based on experience will be offered for the DSS Deputy Director position with generous benefits. Benefits include medical, dental, vision care, flexible spending accounts, short- and long-term disability as well as basic and supplemental term life insurance. The selected candidate will be automatically enrolled into the North Carolina Local Government Retirement System upon their employment. In addition, there is optional participation in one of two deferred compensation plans, a 457 Plan or 401(k) Plan, with a 5% match from the County.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

Qualified candidates please submit your resume online by August 9, 2017 by visiting our website http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/HR/Pages/ApplyOnline.aspx. Resumes will be screened on the basis of the criteria outlined in this brochure.

For more information, please contact:Keisha Scott, Talent Acquisition ManagerOffice Number: 980-314-2732Keisha.Scott@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Mecklenburg County Is an Equal OpportunityEmployer and Values Diversity At All Levels Of Its Workforce.

Visit the Mecklenburg County’s web site at:MecklenburgCountyNC.gov