Health and Human Services Director

Job Summary

"Performs leadership, administrative, and managerial work directing the operations and staff of the Health and Human Services Division. Manages the administration of diverse service programs, including, but not limited to, Economic Assistance, Employment and Training, Veteran Services, Public Health, Social Services, Community Corrections, and a Community Mental Health Center. Interprets federal and state mandates, as well as county policies and directives, ensuring programs are in compliance with law and applicable regulations. Provides leadership in establishing a vision for the division that is consistent with the county's organizational objectives and priorities. Guides the development of strategic plans to accomplish this vision and motivating employees to achieve the mission and goals of the division and the county. Performs administrative activities to achieve efficient and effective operations in accordance with county policy, union agreements, and applicable law. Incumbent fulfills the appointed role of Human Services Director as defined by MS 402.05, subd. 1a.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Manages, supervises, and oversees programs, staff, and services in the Health and Human Services Division. Coaches and guides other professional managers in decisions and oversight of their program areas. 
• Directs, administers, and oversees consistent staffing management activities across the division to include: hiring, staff training and development, evaluation of staff performance, corrective action or discipline, interpretation of policy and labor contracts, coaching and mentoring, safe work practices and loss control, health and wellness programming, and assisting with a myriad of issues related to personnel management.
• Leads the strategic vision, plan, and implementation of the division. 
• Leads, directs, administers, and reviews the operation of division programs; assures services and programs provided are consistent with laws, rules, and accepted standards of practice; encourages risk-taking and innovation with staff to bring creativity and new ideas to keep moving programming and efficiency forward. 
• Develops and manages the division's business plan and annual budget (operating and capital); recognizes and is able to articulate work of the division toward service outcomes and facilitates planning discussions around priorities and the use of limited resources. 
• Assesses existing and anticipated service levels, staffing needs, and program requirements and recommends funding levels and revenue sources. Leads, within the division, the county's vision, strategies, policies, and programs; as a member of the County Leadership Team, spearheads and supports county-wide initiatives leading change management and employee engagement efforts; helps facilitate and bring about a leader-leader culture both in the division and the county through an ongoing focus on the development and inspiring/motivating of staff. 
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with civic and community groups and the general public. Manages internal and external communication; identifies and pursues public relations opportunities; expands community outreach; addresses public complaints that cannot be resolved; seeks new partnerships and business collaborations to meet customers' needs. 
• Represents the county to state, regional, and local legal, professional, policy, and advisory bodies; primary liaison on strategic and operational matters of the division to Administration, County Board, and other elected officials. 
• Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.
• Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals. 
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires a combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Master's Degree in Social Work, Human Services Administration, Psychology, Public Administration, Business Administration, or directly related behavior science field (MSW preferred) and eight years of progressively responsible leadership, supervisory, and administrative experience in a public or private health, human services, corrections, or related agency or field. Preference for relevant certification and/or licensure in health, human services, or correctional professions (e.g., MALP, LP, LPP, PHN, LISW). Strong desire for an engaging and visionary leader with solid financial acumen and an understanding of federal and state social service funding streams in Minnesota. Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license and reliable vehicle for the performance of work responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The incumbent is under broad policy guidance and direction from the County Administrator and the County Board. Broad discretion is used in the operation of the division within statutory provisions and administrative requirements. 

The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others; including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others.  The incumbent learns, understands, executes, and promotes organizational cultural initiatives and county-wide program objectives.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.
• Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.
• Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.
• Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.
• Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.
• Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.
• Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws, rules, and regulations as they apply to the Health and Services Division.
• Knowledge of management and leadership principles and practices.
• Knowledge of Health Services, Human Services, and Public Services programs and the provision of such services.
• Knowledge of the programs and functions of the division, recognizing the inter-relatedness of services provided.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of implementing mandated and non-mandated programs.
• Knowledge of union agreements as they govern the management of personnel within the division.
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, cultural diversities, and language barriers to ensure equitable service delivery.
• Knowledge of availability and relationship of funding sources to programs.
• Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts.
• Ability to analyze community service needs, anticipate change in demand, and prepare long-range and strategic responses to meet these needs.
• Ability to analyze, prepare, and manage comprehensive department budgets. 
• Ability to balance the service directives that come from the state with goal of the County Board that are established to meet the needs and desires of customers at the local level. 
• Ability to manage relationships between diverse stakeholder groups and to build coalitions and win-win solutions.
• Ability to provide leadership and direction to the employees of the division, planning, organizing, and executing policies and programs for a large human services division.
• Ability to understand the dynamics of working in a growing county within a political environment.
• Ability to prepare and deliver effective oral presentations to small and large groups including elected officials and the general public sometimes on sensitive, divisive, or complicated technical and division issues.
• Ability to work in arenas of conflict and bring diverse opinions to a resolution or consensus.
• Ability to coordinate and negotiate county plans with outside agencies and other interest groups.
• Ability and skill to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff.
• Ability to analyze and change existing service delivery to reduce process time and resource requirements while continuing to conform to customer requirements.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with others.
• Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.
• Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.
• Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services. 

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.