Director - Center for Adult Services / Executive Director - Alexandria Community Services Board

Department of Community and Human Services

Director - Center for Adult Services / Executive Director -

Alexandria Community Services Board (CSB)

The City of Alexandria is in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of more than 160,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles. The City has committed to addressing critical issues that impact its residents and is fortunate to have strong and enduring connections with non-profit, faith, business, and philanthropy partners to move this work forward. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite you to apply for the Director of the Center for Adult Services position located within the City of Alexandria’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS).

An Overview

The Director of the Center for Adult Services/Community Services Board Executive Director (CAS Director) leads and directs all activities of the Center for Adult Services, which includes Aging and Adult Services; Clinical and Emergency Services; Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services, Community Support and Residential Services and Central Administrative Support. Additionally, the incumbent serves as Executive Director of the Alexandria Community Services Board (CSB). This role is responsible for strategic planning, program development, operational oversight, and budget management. The position drives coordination within the Center and across other DCHS Centers, City departments, and partner agencies to ensure aligned and effective service delivery. The CAS Director provides direct leadership and supervision to Division Directors, fostering coordinated management across all service areas.

Operating under the general guidance of the DCHS Director, the CAS Director exercises broad autonomy in decision-making. Performance is assessed through strategic outcomes, regular reporting, and collaborative review meetings. Feedback is provided by both the DCHS Director and the Community Services Board.

Critical Attributes

The ideal candidate will have comprehensive knowledge of the theories, principles and practices used in the administration of behavioral health programs, the services and support systems needed by older adults and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. They will have knowledge of/experience in substance use disorder services, research and evaluation framework techniques, program evaluation, accreditation processes, and best practice service models. They will demonstrate deep knowledge of leadership and management theories, effective program development and implementation strategies, and continuous quality improvement principles. They will have detailed understanding of critical regulatory and funding requirements, state and federal budgets and other City government processes and policies, Virginia Code or other comparable state systems. They will have demonstrated a commitment to advancing race and social equity principles and practices and an ability to integrate these into service design and delivery and employee engagement. They will have an ability to collaborate effectively, strong verbal and writing abilities; ability to maintain effective working relationships with representatives of the public, private and other groups; Advanced problem-solving and analytical abilities.

The Opportunity

• Leads and directs the activities and functions of the Center for Adult Services which comprises: Aging and Adult Services; Clinical and Emergency Services; Community Support and Residential Services and Central Administrative Support.
• Serves as the Executive Director of the Community Services Board (CSB), with primary responsibility for implementing mandates from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and accredited programs. Collaborates closely with the CSB Board, DBHDS leadership, the Regional Management Team, and other key stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance and advance priority program initiatives.
• Develops and manages budgets and provides ongoing oversight to spending and responding to funding changes and challenges.
• Leads strategic planning, operational oversight, and continuous improvement of programs, including making budget recommendations and monitoring program effectiveness and impact.
• Provides strategic leadership as part of the Department’s Leadership Team, driving the development and execution of the Department’s mission, strategic plan, policies, and operational priorities, including budget planning and resource alignment.
• Responsible for formulation and implementation of Center policy and procedures.
• Provides direct supervision to Division directors and receives general direction from the Director, Department of Community and Human Services.
• Conducts and attends meetings with Department Director, departmental staff, City Manager's Office staff, citizens, non-profits, boards and commissions.
• Represents the Department on local, regional, and state-level committees and workgroups focused on behavioral health, adult services, and aging-related priorities.
• Provides data on program effectiveness and directs the study of systems and processes to facilitate the improvement of operation and services.
• Ensures coordination of work within the Center and with other Department Centers, and City agencies and departments.
• Prepares docket memos and reports regarding budget and program issues and grants and assists the DCHS Director in defending/discussing them at City Council meetings and work sessions, and at meetings with citizens, boards, and commissions
• Responds to Council, the City Manager and resident concerns/complaints

Department Overview

DCHS, through a staff of close to 700 employees, provides critical services including: behavioral health, child welfare, developmental disabilities, domestic violence/sexual assault, early childhood, economic supports, homeless prevention, public benefits assistance, residential, substance use, workforce development, and youth development services for individuals across the lifespan. In addition to the CAS, the department provides the services through three other centers: the Center for Children and Families, Center for Economic Support, and Center for Operations.

DCHS works to provide the highest quality of services to support individuals and families as they work to accomplish their goals and overcome critical challenges. The dedicated and highly skilled staff draw on their expertise and best practices to assure that those we serve are engaged most effectively and that their needs are met.

As an organization, DCHS focuses on key elements that provide the best experience and outcomes for those we serve, including improving access to services, utilizing trauma informed and culturally relevant approaches, advancing equity, attracting and retaining the best staff, community partnerships, unified planning approaches and increasing the integration of our services.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Four-Year college degree in psychology, social work, social sciences or related subjects and five years of progressive management experience administering a medium-large size behavioral health, social or human services or developmental disability division, program or agency and five years of experience with grant-writing, management, program evaluation, accreditation and best practice service models and/or any combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s or doctorate degree in psychiatry, psychology, social work, public administration or related field. Professional clinical license in Social Work, Psychology or Licensed Professional Counselor. Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience administering a medium-to-large sized behavioral health, human services or developmental disability agency; Public sector behavioral health and social service delivery experience; Extensive knowledge of and experience with behavioral and human service delivery systems. Considerable experience in implementation of racial and social equity and cultural competency practices in the workplace, working cooperatively with policy-making Boards, City Council, and other City officials and managing complex budgets.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: Criminal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; and driver’s license.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 5:30PM, with evening meetings and infrequent weekend events.