Director of Social Services

LANGLADE COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS)

Department: Social Services
Reports to: County Administrator
Starting at: $80,000
FLSA Status/Hours: Exempt, 40 Hours per week
Revised: 8/11/2025

Summary:
Under the direction of the County Administrator, and the Social Services and Veterans Committee, the Director provides for the integration of administration of all DSS programs and services. The department includes Child Protective Services, Youth Justice, Economic Support, and Energy Assistance. The Director is subject to such delegation of authority as is consistent with Wisconsin State Statutes 46, 48 and 938 and the rules and regulations promulgated by Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, and the policies and procedures of Langlade County.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The following duties are typical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.
• Implements and oversees state, federal, and local agency administered programs ensuring compliance with federal and state rules, regulations and policies; and assuring that quality services are integrated, accessible and efficiently delivered.
• Makes recommendations to the County Administrator, and Social Services and Veterans Committee for changes in organization and management of programs, and changes in program services
• Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the work of staff for effective and efficient programs. Evaluates service delivery, utilizing board, client and staff input to determine effectiveness of programs and the desirability of their continuation. Ensures that quality and cost standards are maintained.
• Assigns staff and allocates funding and other resources to meet service program objectives within budget restraints, including establishing program priorities in addition to those mandated.
• Develops, implements and evaluates departmental policies. Perform personnel actions as necessary, including but not limited to hiring, evaluating, disciplining, evaluating training requests, layoffs, and developing job descriptions with the County Administrator.
• Develops an annual budget with the County Administrator and Finance Director.
• Monitors the budget throughout the year and advises the County Administrator regarding actions to be taken to maintain the approved budget.
• Develops, maintains, and implements Civil Rights Plan; conducts periodic evaluations and assures fair treatment and freedom from unlawful discrimination.
• Ensures that the agency has appropriate crisis response and on-call services in place.
• Submits required reports to Boards and State/Federal Departments within specified timeframes and other necessary reports, logs, audit compliance, and correspondence per county and/or State policy and contracts.
• Provides written/oral reports and testimony and performs any other court-related duties as necessary.
• Serves as community liaison with local, state and federal agencies. Performs public relation duties and cooperates with other agencies, officials, and citizens in planning for community services.
• Conduct management meetings to assess barriers, issues, and achievements; communicate agency operations and assign duties as needed.
• Participates in community committees and task forces, regional/state meetings, and internal meetings as necessary.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws throughout the department.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Social Work Administration, or related field involving social service; Master’s degree preferred.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible administrative duties within the human service environment including six (6) years of management/supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge of Social Service Programs, laws relevant to program administration, and the ability to apply administrative, managerial, and supervisory principles and practices.
• Experience in fiscal procedures and functions, ability to work independently, work accurately and efficiently; and to utilize discretion in dealing with confidential information.
• Ability to supervise and exercise judgment, resolve complaints and concerns.
• Experience in conflict resolution, delegation and discipline.
• Ability to apply and enforce laws and program requirements.
• Ability to apply professional communication skills, establish good working relationships with others and to work collaboratively with a diverse array of professional disciplines and personalities.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and initiate action.
• Ability to manage time-sensitive deadlines.

Technological Skills:
• Proficient in Windows and Microsoft Office.
• Basic telephone and electronic messaging skills required.

Special Requirements:
Possess and maintain valid Wisconsin Driver’s license and have access to transportation suitable to complete necessary work out of the office. All members of the workforce have a responsibility to watch for unauthorized use or disclosures of Information, to act to prevent the action, and to report suspected breaches of privacy and security policies to their supervisor, or to the Privacy or Security Officer (example of a breach: member or visitor looking through a claim or personal information left on a desk).

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms, hear and talk.
• The employee may be required to run, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, taste and smell.
• May seldom be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Although uncommon, some aspects of the position will require field work that may put the employee at a higher risk to exposure or injury related to physical and environmental factors that are encountered.
• Generally, the work environment is considered safe and comfortable where exposure to environmental factors poses little risk of injury.

Langlade County is an Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

https://www.co.langlade.wi.us/government/employment/

Deadline Note: Applications will first be reviewed starting at 7:30 am on Monday, November 10, 2025, but will remain open until filled.