Director of Social Service

Location: The Salvation Army Gainesville, Georgia

About this opportunity:

This position plans, directs, coordinates, supervises, and monitors the administration of all social service programs within the department, including but not limited to, crisis intervention counseling, transitional living accommodations, emergency services as well as financial, food, clothing, and furniture assistance; supervises all department staff and ensure work is in compliance with established policies and procedures; develops, implements, and enhances programs to effectively meet the needs of the community; administers the department budget and secures funding for programs; ensures program operations are in compliance with contract agreements; serves as leader in the community by performing public speaking and promoting program services. Research grant opportunities for program enhancements and general operations; makes initial contact with government entities, foundation, or potential donor to secure application criteria. Writes grant proposals; collects and prepares all documents required by grant provider; prepares final draft of grant proposal for submission to Area Commander and Divisional Headquarters as may be required.

Key responsibilities:

• Designs and supervises the administration of all social service programs to include emergency shelters, family crisis intervention, transitional living shelters, domestic violence shelters, etc.
• Develops, implements, and enforces program policies and procedures; evaluates program effectiveness and develops enhancements to improve overall operations and delivery of services.
• Develops and maintains standardization of quality of programming across all social services programs at the Corps through the standardization of program design, program components, case management practices, and the client record supervisory review structure.
• Assigns caseloads and related duties; coordinates activities of staff in providing counseling services to assist clients with problems of emergency crisis nature; assists agency staff members through individual and group conferences in analyzing case problems and in improving their diagnostic and helping skills.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and review of standard operating procedures for all social service programs; reviews case records, evaluates performance of staff members and recommends indicated actions.
• Conducts needs assessment activities in the areas of homelessness, substance abuse, family violence, child abuse and other social concerns, including direct research and meta-analysis of existing needs assessments for all communities served through The Salvation Army.
• Coordinates and monitors The Salvation Army purchases from the food bank; ensures that all program kitchens serve nutritional meals.
• Prepares and proposes departmental budget; reviews budget regularly to track funding and expenditures in order to determine compliance with budget projections and constraints.
• Develops and administers a volunteer staffing program networked through existing community affiliates such as accredited schools of social work, other non-graduate persons (e.g. community service), business student interns, seniors, and TANF workers.
• Reviews and monitors monthly statistics representing department services; ensures the accuracy and completeness of the same.

• Researches and prepares various departmental reports for internal use as well as those required by grant contracts, United Way, utility companies, etc
• Plans and facilitates staff meetings for all employees; assists employees in resolving operational problems and responds to questions; ensures all employees maintain awareness of program policies and procedures; provides staff development opportunities for staff team.
• Performs community relations functions to promote programs by speaking to groups and coordinating volunteer efforts serves as The Salvation Army representative with the media; serves as member of various community agency boards as requested; serves as liaison to the United Way.
• Supervises, plans, assigns, coordinates, and monitors the work of all staff working for the Social Services Department; instructs and trains staff in the proper methods and procedures; monitors work in progress and upon completion to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; conducts performance evaluations and provides hiring/firing and salary recommendations.
• Supervises and monitors the maintenance of social service buildings and equipment; ensures facilities are well maintained and in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Supervisors and monitors the processing of all gifts-in-kind including food, clothing, furniture, transportation, and prescriptions.
• Supervises and monitors the day-to-day operations of the departmental office staff; develops and secures necessary office equipment and resources; supervises the development and maintenance of computer systems.
• Supervises, coordinates, and monitors various special and seasonal projects such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, summer camps, etc.: prepares and submits reports (briefs) on seasonal programs.
• Supervises, reviews, monitors, and audits all program records and client files; ensures the accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality of the same as well as compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Research grant opportunities for program enhancements and general operations; makes initial contact with government entities, foundation or potential donor to secure application criteria.
• Writes grant proposals; collects and prepares all documents required by grant provider; prepares final draft of grant proposal for submission to Commander Officer and Divisional Headquarters as may be required.
• Coordinates any budget requirement for grant proposals and grant expenditures with Commanding Officer or Business Manager.
• Maintains all files on pre-applications, grant proposals, approved/funded grants and completed grants.
• Monitors goals of awarded grants to ensure program is being administered according to grant requirements; designs and implements all written policies and procedures that will produce quality programs with necessary outcome measurements for awarded grants; tracks to completion each grant and ensures all program and reporting requirements are fulfilled.
• Prepares final reports for all grants and submits to Commander Officer for approval; provides approved reports to appropriate grantor.
• Coordinates collaborative efforts with other community agencies or local government entities in cooperative or continuum of care grants.
• Completes any other grant writing requirements as may be requested by the Commander Officer.
• Compiles statistical information for funding sources, advisory organizations, development, or other departments as necessary for reporting purposes.
• Develops relationships with the local and broader community to enhance support of operations for which this position is responsible.
• Provides technical assistance as needed for all social service programs.
• Travels, as needed, to represent The Salvation Army to support and enhance all social service programs and projects.
• Conducts all communications and job duties with the highest level of professionalism client care.
• Performs crisis intervention counseling for walk-in clients focusing on the immediate problem and assessing the situation, determining their motivation for help, designating appropriate resources for referral for short term and/or long-term counseling and additional services.
• Attends professional conferences and seminars and reads professional journals to maintain awareness of modern and effective social service program development/administration techniques.
• Develops and maintains procedural manuals for all social service programs Performs other duties as assigned.

What we are looking for in you:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or a related field, Masters preferred.
• And Four (4) years progressively responsible experience administering social service programs with at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.
• Or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Ability to meet attendance requirements. Duties are usually performed seated. Sitting may be relieved by brief or occasional periods of standing or walking. Limited amount of physical effort required associated with walking, standing, lifting, and carrying light objects (less than 25 lbs.) 5-10% of work time. Work is performed in a normal office environment where there are little or no physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust, dirt, and the like but not limited to the office environment.

Employee Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision
• Holiday and Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plans and more!

Why work for us?

The Salvation Army offers a broad range of career opportunities, particularly targeted toward those motivated by our mission, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army strives to do the “Most Good” for its employees by offering a greater sense of purpose in the work performed, by training and mentoring employees and by offering competitive compensation and benefit plans.  Whether employed as a truck driver, administrative support team member or the director of a program, our employees understand at the core of their work is the opportunity to be an integral part of an organization that is Doing the Most Good.

Additional Information:

All employees recognize The Salvation Army is a church and agree they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

To apply, click on the “Apply Now” icon at the bottom of this posting.

Application Submittal Period:  10/24/2024-11/07/2024

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled

When an application is selected for review, typically, only applicants who indicate the relevant education and experience requirements, as indicated in the job description for the position, may be considered for job openings. Please FULLY complete the application, answer questions completely, honestly and to the best of your ability. Please also upload a copy of your resume (when available). Those applicants requiring accommodation to the application and/or interview process should contact a representative of the Human Resources Department at the applicable location.

We appreciate your interest in employment opportunities with The Salvation Army!