Social Services Director III

The Harrisonburg/Rockingham County Department of Social Services Board is seeking an experienced and dedicated human services professional to lead a Level III social services department in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Harrisonburg, Virginia affectionately known as 'The Friendly City' or 'Rocktown,' is a vibrant, independent city nestled in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Located right along Interstate 81, it sits roughly two hours west of Washington, D.C., and serves as a major cultural, educational, and economic hub for the region.

Harrisonburg is deeply shaped by its dynamic collegiate atmosphere. It is home to James Madison University (JMU), which brings energy, innovation, and major division sports to the community, as well as Eastern Mennonite University (EMU). The presence of these institutions infuses the area with a forward-thinking, diverse, and youthful vibe while maintaining a close-knit, small‑town charm.

The city holds the distinct honor of harboring Virginia's first official Culinary District. Historic Downtown Harrisonburg boasts a highly celebrated, fiercely independent food scene with over 40 locally owned restaurants, diverse global cuisines, artisanal coffee shops, and award‑winning craft breweries and cideries.

Flanked by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west, Harrisonburg is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The area is widely recognized for world‑class road and mountain cycling, fly fishing, and scenic hiking—with quick access to both the Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington National Forest.

HRDSS provides assistances services to:

• 17,191 SNAP recipients - $22M program
• 1,295 TANF recipients - $1M program
• 39,750 Medicaid recipients - $227M program
• 361 children receiving adoption services
• 236 children receiving foster care services
• 3,014 child protective services complaints handled annually
• 768 adult protective services investigations handled annually

Social Services Director III is the second level in the group for Social Services Directors. Employees are responsible for all social service and financial program areas in a moderate size office with varied and complex programs and for supervising managers. The Director works with and under the direction of the Agency Administrative Board which is comprised of the County Administrator and the City Manager.

• Leads and manages the Social Services Department to ensure program compliance for a wide variety and diverse mandated and non‑mandated federal, state, and local programs;
• Establishes procedures, policies and standards; monitors program operations and evaluates effectiveness and results of these programs;
• Plans and oversees complicated accounting systems/department budget and makes financial decisions to achieve policy and program goals; monitors expenditures; makes policy decisions based on internal and external considerations;
• Authorizes, coordinates and directs multiple service, benefit, financial, and administrative divisions;
• Manages and coordinates workflow of deputy director and/or assistant directors that supervise multiple division managers;
• Evaluates effectiveness of established strategies, procedures and policies;
• Plans and develops departmental procedures in response to: disaster preparedness; needs of / agreements with community partners; provision of mass care to citizens and/or the homeless community; the need to deploy staff to police precincts to cover human service needs after normal business hours; the need to collaborate regionally to ensure citizens participate in self-help projects such as the Earned Income Tax Credit;
  
  the need to enroll children in health insurance; and the need to provide…