Cumberland County is seeking a leader who can formulate strategies and initiatives to positively affect families while keeping pace with the challenges inherent in a growing community with a large military component. This position is responsible for overall agency operations. Candidates should have leadership skills to inspire and motivate a dedicated workforce; a thorough knowledge of the philosophical and legal basis for public assistance programs, and skill in building collaborative approaches to achieving objectives.

DEPARTMENT AND POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Cumberland County Department of Social Services (CCDSS) is among the largest social services departments in the state. CCDSS assists citizens in meeting their basic daily living needs through financial, nutritional, and medical assistance. The department promotes the well-being of citizens through social work services to strengthen families, and protective services to prevent or remedy abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable children and disabled or elderly adults.

Cumberland DSS has a fiduciary budget of $975 million, operating budget of over $66 million and 732 employees, who work in seven sections. The department’s core sections consist of Adult, Economic, and Children’s Services who administer the mandated federal-state programs and services including Food Stamps, Child Care, Medicaid, Energy, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Protection, Adult Protection, and Foster Parenting. Sections that provide support services includes Administration, Business Operations (human resources, finance, facilities management, transportation), Legal (attorneys, paralegals), and Performance Management (data management, quality assurance, training).
The Department administers three non-mandated programs consisting of family violence programs including operating the County’s only battered women’s shelter, provider for Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation and operates a Level I group home for boys and girls.

The Department supports the disaster shelters for the County, in conjunction with the American Red Cross; and when federally mandated, administers the disaster supplemental nutritional assistance program (DSNAP-food stamps) in the event of natural or man-made disasters. The Department is lead facilitator for unmet needs during disasters and coordinates the community partners collaborative efforts to meet the food, clothing, financial, and donation needs of citizens immediately following a disaster.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Social Services Director is responsible for administering state and federal social services programs established by Chapter 108A of the North Carolina General Statutes in accordance with applicable federal and state rules. The DSS Director reports directly to the Board of Social Services and reports indirectly to the County Manager’s Office. The Director serves as Secretary to the Board of Social Services. The Board of Social Services has a legal charge for advising county, city, and state officials regarding social conditions of the community.

The Director of Cumberland County Department of Social Services position serves as administrator over the department's programs, services and personnel to include state and federally mandated and non-mandated programs. Planning to meet community needs is of paramount importance, as the Director ensures that programs and services provided by each section are comprehensive, coordinated and delivered in a manner consistent with the mandates, policy requirements and the agency's overall mission, vision, and goals.

The Director assures that the federal, state and local dollars are effectively and legally appropriated within the agency's formal budget and recommends to the Board of Social Services, transmission of the budget to the County Commissioners for approval. Considerable attention and oversight is required to ensure proper and most optimum use of fiscal resources. The Director position understands and assures the application of multiple and complex program rules and regulations relating to broad program and fiscal policies that come from state and federal sources. The Director represents the agency in complex and challenging relationships with other public organizations, private for-profit and nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, judicial systems, schools, hospitals, vendors, county government, elected officials and the media.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Examples of Duties:

• 
  Provides clear and effective general operational leadership and management for the agency.
• Maintains a track record of interdepartmental collaboration to enhance service delivery, systematic monitoring of state performance standards, particularly around Medicaid to avoid penalties, and actionable career development and succession planning to ensure continuity of services;
• Reviews actions taken by program staff; assisting division leaders in decision making to include decisions related to children in the agency’s custody and adult wards for whom the Director is guardian;
• Director has the statutory responsibility of the agency's human resources system. Provide oversight and competent coordination of personnel matters and interaction with the Office of State Human Resources, County Legal Department, County Human Resources, and other legal processes are a routine job responsibility;
• Assures operational design and implementation of the agency's strategic planning activities;
• Assures proper coordination of DSS services with other local government agencies and providers in the private and non-profit sectors;
• Interpretation, coordination, and development of programs with the Board of Social Services, County Commissioners, County officials, state agencies, citizens' groups, sister organizations, etc. to ensure their understanding of the organization's operations and develop positive public relations;
• Represents and appears before various government boards, legislatures, media and court systems as well as representation in community groups, task forces, inter-agency committees, meetings, and at conferences or workshops at the federal, state, county, or community level.

• Work in collaboration with County Leadership to improve staff recruitment and retention to include continued support for remote and virtual service delivery and administration of the programs.
• Implement mandated federal and state legislative actions ex. Family First Prevention Services Act, State’s NC FAST Case Management System in Child Welfare and Medicaid Expansion
• Continue the implementation of A Model Approach for Change in Child Welfare (AMAC-CW) to improve well-being outcomes for children in foster care especially those aging out through a hybrid collective impact initiative.
• Advocate and collaborate with key stakeholders for the delivery of quality mental health services for at-risk adults and children especially those in need of therapeutic residential services, with specific emphasis on the social impact of the opioid epidemic, human trafficking, and erosion of mental health services.
• Continue the partnership with Public Health in developing the County’s Coordination & Case Management Prevention Collaborative.
• Implement State and Congressional legislation unwinding of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) & Medicaid.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

College transcripts may be submitted on-line via the attachment feature or mailed to Cumberland County Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 2429, Fayetteville, NC 28302. Prior to employment start date, an official transcript must be presented in its original unopened envelope.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log into your account and click "Application Status."

If there are specific questions regarding this posting, you may contact Yvette Lofton or Shirley Harris, Human Resources @ (910) 677-2580.

Cumberland County Department of Social Services Health-care Benefit Plan provides comprehensive and affordable health and dental coverage while maintaining reasonable costs to employees. Coverage is available for all full time employees.

The link below provides detail information regarding insurance coverage:

http://www.markiiibrokerage.com/cumberlandcountync/Policy%20Info.html

CREDIT UNION Employees are eligible to join State Employees Credit Union and Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union. Savings accounts and loan payments can be made through payroll deductions.

DIRECT DEPOSIT Employees are eligible to have their paychecks deposited directly to their account at any banking institution. The net pay is direct deposited by 9:00 AM on the County's pay date.

ANNUAL LEAVE
Less than 2 years of service 3.42 hours per pay period = 96 hours (12 days)
2-4 years of service 4.37 hours per pay period = 120 hours (15 days)
5-9 years of service 5.33 hours per pay period = 144 hours (18 days)
10-14 years of service 6.28 hours per pay period = 168 hours (21 days)
15-19 years of service 7.24 hours per pay period = 192 hours (24 days)
20+ years of service 8.19 hours per pay period = 216 hours (27 days)

Sick Leave All Employees 3.42 hours per pay period = 96 hours (12 days)

HOLIDAYS State recognized holidays off: New Year's Day, ML King's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day (2 days), and Christmas Day (3 days).

MILEAGE $0.54 reimbursement per mile driven using personal automobile for company business.

DRIVERS LICENSE If you presently have an out-of state license, you must obtain a valid NC Driver's License prior to beginning employment with Cumberland County DSS. *See Safe Driving Policy

DRUG TESTING Each applicant who is tendered an offer for employment for any position with Cumberland County shall be tested for the use of drugs specified in the County policy. Refusal to submit to testing or a confirmed positive test shall be a basis for withdrawal for the conditional employment offer. *See Drug Free Workplace Testing Policy

RETIREMENT PLAN Unreduced retirement benefits at age 65 with 5 years of service: or at age 60 with 25 years of credit, or any age after 30 years of service; reduced benefits after age 50 and 20 years of service or at age 60 with 5 years of service; disability benefits available after 5 years of service; death benefit paid to your beneficiary if you die in active service after one year of service.

401K ACCOUNT 1% contribution made by County to your NC401K account; no match required by employee.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION Supplemental retirement programs through: ICMA, Programs PEBSCO (NACO), and 401 K (Payroll deduction available)

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Employee can pay for insurance premiums, uninsured medical expenses, or child care with pre-tax dollars. Other insurance policies offered: dental, life, accident, disability and cancer.

SCHOOL PARTICIPATION LEAVE Employee will be granted 4 hours per County fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) to attend child's school (Day Care - 12) for involvement at the child's school. Employee should furnish written verification from child's school that employee attended or was otherwise involved at that school during the time of leave.


PLEASE NOTE: THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE.