Director of Social Services
THE COMMUNITY
Imperial County is located in the Imperial Valley,
bordering both Arizona and Mexico. The County is home
to approximately 180,000 residents who live and work
within its seven cities (Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El
Centro, Holtville, Imperial, and Westmorland) and eight
unincorporated communities (Bombay Beach, Heber,
Niland, Ocotillo, Palo Verde, Salton City, Seeley, and
Winterhaven). The County seat is the city of El Centro.
This vast terrain varies from 235 feet below sea level
at the Salton Sea to 4,548 feet above sea level at Blue
Angel Peak. Established in 1907, it was the last county
to be established in California. Although this region is a
desert, with high temperatures and low average rainfall
of three inches (seventy-five mm) per year, the economy
is heavily based on agriculture due to irrigation, supplied
wholly from the Colorado River via the All-American
Canal.
Imperial Valley has a variety of attractions for visitors
and residents. Fort Yuma is located on the banks of the
Colorado River. NAF El Centro is the winter home of
the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue
Angels. Imperial Valley Expo & Fairgrounds is home to
the California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta which is the
local county fair, held in late February to early March and
known throughout North America. It is also home to the
Imperial Valley Speedway. Recreational opportunities are
abundant in the area with water sports at the Colorado
River; hunting, camping, and off-road activities in theN T
rugged mountains and desert sand dunes. The Anza-
Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park,
the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, Algodones Sand
Dunes, Fossil Canyon, Painted Gorge, and Salvation
Mountain are just a few of the unique parks in the
region. The border city of Mexicali, Baja California,
Mexico offers big city amenities like museums, a zoo,
a sports convention center, several restaurants, and an
international airport. Visitors cross by foot or car from
Calexico in the United States every day.
Imperial High School, located in Imperial, was
designated a California Distinguished High School
in 2003 and 2007 by the CA State Department of
Education. Opportunities to attend college are
available through Imperial Valley College, San Diego
State-Imperial Valley and Brawley Campuses, and the
University of Phoenix.
ABOUT THE COUNTY OF IMPERIAL
The County of Imperial Department of Social Services
has a 2018-2019 total budget of $134,589,927 and
employs approximately 536 staff members, who work
to serve and enhance the community’s quality of life.
The County is divided in five supervisorial districts. Each
district elects a member to the Board of Supervisors for a
term of four years.
To learn more about Imperial County,
please visit www.co.imperial.ca.us
THE POSITION
Under the direction of the Board of Supervisors,
plan, organize, coordinate and control the eligibility,
administrative and social services sections of the
department; formulate and develop policies and
procedures in conformance with State and federal
regulations, legislation and directives; supervise and
evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
The Director of Social Services will need knowledge of:
- Federal, State and local welfare programs and
supporting legislation
- Budget and fiscal management, cost accounting
and public funding
- Community socioeconomic and human behavioral
problems
- Current sociological trends
- Social planning and utilization of resources
- Principles of social work including group work and
community organization
- Public relations and communication skills
- Principles and practices of administration,
supervision and training
- Laws, rules and regulations related to assigned
activities
- Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
- Public speaking techniques
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for the Director of Social Services
will be a strong leader capable of communicating
a vision, gaining buy-in from staff, and ensuring
execution of key goals and initiatives. The Director will
be a unifier within the Department – a team player
and team builder. The successful candidate will be
approachable, emanating a positive presence. Creative
thinking will be a necessary trait in this role. Superior
communication skills are required. The Director will
practice active listening, display an openness to
suggestions, have excellent writing skills and exhibit
confidence while speaking. The Director will be an
energetic, goal-oriented achiever, willing to tackle new
strategic projects such as the continuum of care for
homeless services.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
- Plan, organize, coordinate and control the activities,
services and operations of the department; allocate
personnel and resources to optimize departmental
efficiency and effectiveness.
- Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned
personnel; assign and delegate work; establish
goals, objectives and departmental priorities; resolve
issues regarding hiring, disciplinary action and other
employee-related issues.
- Plan, organize and coordinate departmental
activities to assure that entitlements are properly
disbursed and social services are effectively provided
to the public in accordance with established
eligibility requirements.
- Assure compliance with a variety of local, State
and federal laws and regulations; analyze new
and pending legislation to determine impact and
required action.
- Prepare, develop, analyze and control the
departmental budget; prioritize budget needs and
prepare the State cost control plan.
- Communicate with other County departments to
coordinate activities, resolve issues and implement
new programs and procedural changes.
- Interact with State agencies, community
organizations, educational institutions, media
representatives and others regarding departmental
programs, services and activities.
- Formulate and develop departmental policies
and procedures in accordance with the mandated
mission and goals of the department.
- Attend, chair and conduct a variety of staff and
administrative meetings; prepare oral and written
reports for the Board as requested.
- Direct the preparation and maintenance of
comprehensive records and reports related to
departmental operations and activities; assure the
timely submission of materials to County and State
offices.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree in social science, public
administration or related field and five years of
increasingly responsible experience in a large
social service organization including two years in a
management capacity.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The salary range for the Director of Social Services is
$122,196 - $148,548
The County of Imperial offers an excellent benefit
package that includes:
- Voluntary Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
- Health Insurance
- Dental & Vision Insurance
- HRA
- Life Insurance
- Holidays
- Sick Leave
- Sick Leave Buy-Back
- Vacation
- Vacation Buy-Back
- Administrative Leave
- Car Allowance
- Tuition Reimbursement