A social services director is in charge of a social services department or organization. His or her specific job description may differ depending on where he or she works. A government job with a local department of social services, for example, might be primarily administrative in nature in the United States. Working for a small, private organization, on the other hand, may require the individual to take a more active role in service delivery. A social services director, for example, might be hired by a long-term nursing care facility for senior citizens to manage its programs and work directly with patients’ families.
One of the most common responsibilities of a director of social services in a government agency or department is to develop policies and programs. In addition, he or she is frequently in charge of the department’s budget, and is often tasked with obtaining additional funds through grant writing and other fundraising efforts. When necessary, the social services director is required to act as a spokesperson for the organization, working with the press and collaborating with community organizations. He or she often serves on local boards or commissions to ensure that services are delivered effectively.
Depending on the services provided by the organization, many social services directors hire and supervise staff members such as social workers, probation officers, and benefits coordinators. The social services director, for example, may supervise deputy directors of specific welfare programs in many government agencies. Volunteers may be recruited and hired by the director. In this role, he or she is usually more responsible for the agency’s overall management than for providing specific client services.
On the other hand, some social service directors work in more clinical settings. They could specialize in certain areas of service, such as adoption or child welfare, for example. The social services director may report to the nursing home administrator in a nursing home. Working with families on patient assessments, admissions, and discharges could be some of his or her main responsibilities.
A background in social work or a related field of study is frequently required to get a job in this field. Most jobs require a bachelor’s degree at the very least. However, many directors of social services have a master’s degree in social work, business, or public administration. Candidates seeking positions in a specific field, such as elder care or child services, are typically expected to have sufficient experience to be effective leaders. The pay rates, job requirements, and work environments of these professionals are all affected by a variety of factors. For the foreseeable future, most career experts agree that these jobs will grow faster than the average.