PURPOSE OF POSITION
The purpose of this position is to administer and oversee the operations, personnel, and service delivery of the Social Services Department, including intake, assessment/investigation, ongoing case management, permanency planning, foster care, and adoption programs within the public child welfare arena.
The Social Services Administrator / Assistant Director provides direct supervision to Children Services supervisors and staff, ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, and develops policies, procedures, and program improvements that enhance child safety and family outcomes.
This position serves as second-in-command to the Director and is authorized to act on behalf of the Director when absent, overseeing agency operations and managing critical issues in other divisions such as Public Assistance/Income Maintenance, OhioMeansJobs, and all support services.
The incumbent is expected to maintain professionalism, sound judgment, confidentiality, and strong relationships with staff, clients, community partners, and county leadership.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
In addition to consistent and reliable attendance, the following duties are representative of the work performed. Other duties may be assigned.
1. Leadership of Children Services Programs
Administers, directs, and monitors all Social Services programs, including:
- Intake and investigations
- Ongoing case management
- Foster care certification and placement
- Adoption services and subsidy negotiations
- Protective services and home evaluations
- Problem pregnancy and crisis intervention services
- Reviews, assigns, and screens cases.
- Participates in permanency decisions, placement matches, and case consultation staffing.
- Conducts joint home visits and field reviews with staff for training and performance evaluation purposes.
- Ensures high-quality casework practice and adherence to ODJFS mandates, ORC rules, and best practice standards.
2. Supervision and Workforce Management
- Directly supervises Social Services supervisors and other assigned staff.
- Plans, organizes, and monitors workloads and staff assignments.
- Interviews candidates and makes hiring recommendations.
- Completes performance evaluations and administers the initial stages of corrective action.
- Motivates staff, resolves employee concerns, and creates a supportive and accountable work environment.
- Approves timesheets and leave requests; standardizes procedures and expectations across the division.
- Identifies training needs, coordinates required CORE and ongoing professional development, and evaluates training effectiveness.
3. Policy, Program Development & Compliance
- Develops, implements, interprets, and updates policies and procedures for the Social Services Department.
- Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; develops corrective action plans as needed.
- Recognizes and identifies emerging social issues within the county and develops new programs or services as appropriate, including levy-funded initiatives.
- Oversees and evaluates program data, case documentation quality, and worker performance to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Prepares or oversees statistical, narrative, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for state and county submission.
4. Agencywide Support & Acting Director Responsibilities
- In the Director’s absence, oversees the daily operations of:
- Public Assistance/Income Maintenance
- OhioMeansJobs Workforce Programs
- Support Services/Administration
- Any additional units as assigned
- Signs documents, approves decisions, coordinates emergency responses, and manages critical incidents.
- Conducts grievance hearings, prepares related reports, and carries out delegated administrative authority.
- Advises the Director on legal matters, policy interpretation, personnel issues, technology changes, and procedural updates.
5. Community Collaboration & Public Relations
- Coordinates services with community partners, courts, law enforcement, mental health providers, medical professionals, schools, and other county agencies.
- Develops new services and resources, including those supported through local levy funds.
- Negotiates provider contracts, including child care and foster care-related agreements.
- Represents the agency at community meetings, boards, committees, regional trainings, and state-level workgroups.
- Conducts public speaking engagements, media responses (as authorized), and community education efforts to support child welfare and agency initiatives.
6. Client, Family & Provider Support
- Responds to specific client or provider concerns and works directly with families experiencing crisis.
- Engages with difficult or hostile clients to resolve issues and ensure safety and service continuity.
- Performs caseworker duties in emergencies or during staff shortages.
7. Additional Functions
- Responds to emergency calls involving child fatalities, near fatalities, or serious injury cases.
- Attends local, regional, and state trainings, workshops, and conferences.
- Serves on agency committees, boards, or special project teams.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a closely related field required; Masters degree preferred.
- Minimum of five years of supervisory experience in child welfare required.
- Successful completion of all required supervisory CORE training through the Institute for Human Services within one year of employment.
- Valid Ohio driver’s license and insurability under the county insurance policy.
PERFORMANCE APTITUDES
Data Utilization
Ability to analyze, interpret, and use data for decision-making, planning, evaluation, and reporting.
Human Interaction
Ability to supervise, counsel, mediate, persuade, and motivate staff; effectively apply policies in varied situations.
Verbal Aptitude
Ability to interpret complex documents, statutes, procedures, and guidelines; prepare and present reports and recommendations.
Mathematical Aptitude
Ability to perform basic math, including percentages, decimals, and financial calculations.
Functional Reasoning
Ability to plan and direct interrelated activities across programs and address complex operational challenges.
Situational Reasoning
Ability to use judgment, creativity, and problem-solving when handling sensitive or ambiguous situations.
TOOLS, EQUIPMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to operate computers, software systems, copiers, scanners, telephones, and general office equipment.
- Work requires light physical effort and may involve lifting or carrying moderately light materials.
- Extended periods of sitting, typing, and computer work may be required.
- Must be able to perceive similarities/differences in shapes, colors, sounds, and documentation.
- Essential functions are normally performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT
Hardin County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Have you worked for a public child welfare agency?
Education:
Ability to Commute:
- Kenton, OH 43326 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
