Assistant Director Of Social Services

JOB SUMMARY:

Serves as Assistant Director responsible for social services at National Headquarters. Consistently considers and advocates/promotes ways the National Social Services & Public Policy Section can improve service to the four territories, focusing extensively on the fulfillment of Salvation Army mission in social service programming. Responsible to lead the Pathway of Hope initiative on the national level.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serves as the director of social services work at National Headquarters and supervises the team responsible for various social services responsibilities, including Program Manager, National Statistician & Outcomes Manager and Administrative Specialist.

• Serves as subject matter expert to Senior Policy Analysts and Public Policy Assistant Director regarding front-line Salvation Army programming.

• Engages in planning for advancement of Salvation Army social services programming, analysis, and strategies and recommends priorities. Serves as subject matter expert to the territories and the field regarding case management and other social service programming.

• Prepares briefing materials, strategy/position papers and correspondence. Creates (and keeps updated) specific promotional material that can be shared with interested parties, legislators, government personnel, national groups, etc.

• Holds individual weekly one-on-one meetings with direct reports to get updates on projects, consult and guide staff, making certain so far as possible that they know and understand what their duties and responsibilities are.

• Holds direct reports accountable for setting and meeting goals.

• Conducts annual performance evaluations for direct reports
• Holds staff accountable for deadlines related to scheduled events, programs or assignments. Reviews staff work regarding quality and conformity to expectations. Monitors and keeps the staff focused on the purposes of projects. Handles all routine employee issues & requests for the social services staff.

• Represents The Salvation Army at various assigned coalitions, councils and working groups. Prepares and presents reports as an advocate for social services and public policy issues pertinent to the mission of The Salvation Army.

• Presents at national, territorial, and divisional Social Services conferences, as well as at outside conferences as appropriate. Serves as an on-site peer reviewer auditing Salvation Army programs as requested by the Territories. Attends national conferences and conducts and participates in discussions, lectures, seminars, and workshops.

• Consistently considers and advocates/promotes ways the National Social Services & Public Policy Section can improve service to the four territories, focusing extensively on the fulfillment of The Salvation Army mission in new and meaningful ways.
• Supports the National Secretary for Social Services & Public Policy in the operation of the Section.
• Responsible for oversight of monthly field webinar.

• Serves as a member of and as the National liaison for the National Pathway of Hope Committee. Serves as a member of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Committee and other national groups as assigned.

• Ensures continued relevance of Salvation Army social services programming by reviewing social service literature, newsletters, professional journals, and other resources and sharing relevant information on program development, resources, changes in policies and procedures, model programs, etc. for the purposes of supporting the Army’s work on the front lines.

• Participates in Thought Leadership work with NCRD and NHQ’s PR agency.

• Participates in biweekly Public Policy/Social Services & PR agency calls.

• Promotes consistent communication among the territories by coordinating, planning and conducting monthly conference calls with Territorial Social Justice/Anti-Trafficking Coordinators.

• Works cooperatively with NHQ’s PR agency, NCRD and other groups, internal and external, to position and speak for The Salvation Army in social service programming.

• Prepares written and/or verbal reports as requested to the National Public Policy Council, the National Advisory Board, the National Social Services Commission and others.
• Educates staff and others through webinars, resources on the Red Shield Toolkit, and through virtual means. Serves as a convener and facilitator of conference calls within The Salvation Army and with external stakeholders to include non-profit affiliates, government employees and elected officials and their staff.
• Participates in Salvation Army program site visits when traveling.

PATHWAY OF HOPE RESPONSIBILITIES (20%):

• Responsible for national oversight of Pathway of Hope initiative and implementation.

• Be fully knowledgeable of Pathway of Hope goals and objectives, including Commissioners’ Conference approved recommendations, National Scaling Plan, training materials, Fidelity Document and other supplementary documents.

• Promotes consistent communication among the territories by coordinating, planning and conducting monthly conference calls with Territorial Program Specialists, Territorial Social Services Directors and/or Territorial Pathway of Hope Coordinators.

• Ensures consistent internal communication and understanding of the initiative by preparing agendas and minutes for POH conference calls or other meetings. Additionally, prepares regular reports on POH progress and status for National Secretary for Social Services, National Leadership, National Advisory Board, or others, as requested.

• Ensures quality of national, territorial and local data and outcomes by participating, as requested and/or assigned, in community research and planning studies.

• Ensures relevance and consistency of POH by assisting with the ongoing development of policies and procedures, goals and objectives, and outcome-based measures related to POH.

• Maintains quarterly status report showing implementation progress in core areas among the four territories.

• Takes lead on grant opportunities for Pathway of Hope and other programming on a national basis. Leads grant design team in these opportunities.

• Serves as lead for work with outside research partners on POH evaluations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Public Administration, or related fields; and five years social services experience providing case management services, preferably with at-risk, economically and socially vulnerable, experiencing homelessness, and/or trafficked populations; and three years supervisory experience;

or

any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid driver’s license and travel required.

LSW, LCSW, LPC or LCPC, strongly preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Extensive knowledge of Salvation Army programs. Ability to make sound, logical interpretations of Salvation Army guidelines, regulations, policies, and mission in order to represent the organization.

Knowledge & support of The Salvation Army mission and philosophy with specific support of both spiritual and social program activities.

Ability to evaluate and provide leadership to specific ministry components integrated throughout POH and all other social service programs.

BENEFITS:

• • Health insurance (Including Dental, Vision & Hearing)
  • Group & Voluntary Term Life Insurance
  • FSA
  • 403(B)
  • Pension plan
  • Paid time off
  • Free lunch
  • Free parking

Ability to write, read, and effectively communicate in the English language.