Commissioner of Social Services

Our Mission
The Suffolk County Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is committed to strengthening and preserving families by providing financial assistance and services to eligible residents in accordance with local, State and Federal laws and regulations.

The Suffolk County Department of Social Services is seeking to fill the position of Commissioner of Social Services

The work involves considerable responsibility for the formation and implementation of administrative policies and procedures for the Department of Social Services.  The Commissioner of Social Services is responsible for the organization, direction, and coordination of the work of all professional and non-professional personnel within the department.  The Commissioner has complete control, subject to financial limitations imposed by the County Legislature and the State Department of Social Services, over all departmental operations and the direction of personnel.  Work is performed in accordance with the Social Services Law and is reviewed by the County Executive through the submission of required reports. 

** Does related work as required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops, implements and enforces policies and procedures for the administration of all departmental operations;

• Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and supervises all departmental programs and services;

• Coordinates financial planning for the department, including preparation of budgets, maintenance of fiscal control and submission of required reports to the County legislature and the State;

• Coordinates the development and administration of a comprehensive staff development program, including in-service training and the use of other education resources;

• Formulates and implements performance standards by which to measure program, division and employee productivity;

• Prepares or directs the preparation of all Federal, State and local reports;

• Coordinates Departmental programs with other County and private human resources services;

• Coordinates with other agencies, public and private officials and citizens in planning for community service;

• Establishes and maintains the necessary organizational structure in order to efficiently implement and maintain the New York State regulations and standards relative to public welfare programs and submits required reports to the State Department of Social Services;

• Establishes and maintains effective public relations with the community relative to the public welfare program, its policies and procedures.

Benefits For You Now And Your Future

• Health Insurance: Suffolk offers a comprehensive health insurance plan, including medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Pension

• Paid Time Off:  Vacation (2 weeks to start) is accrued based on length of service;  sick leave allows employees to take time off for illness without sacrificing pay; personal days can be used for a variety of reasons; and thirteen (13) paid holidays.

• Work-Life Balance: County jobs offer regular working hours, reducing the need for overtime or irregular shifts. This helps employees maintain a good work-life balance.

Overall, county government jobs offer a combination of competitive benefits and job security, making them an attractive option for many job seekers.

Salary Range: $135,329-$201,283

*This position does not offer relocation assistance at this time

**Sponsorship is not available for this role

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPEN COMPETITIVE

EITHER:

(a) Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State and seven (7) years of full-time paid experience in a health, education or social service agency, five (5) years of which must have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity;

OR
(b)Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State and seven (7) years of responsible full-time paid experience in an administrative or management position, where there is responsibility for planning, directing and coordinating the work of a substantial staff working in several units or performing several separate functions.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Each year of experience as a Chief Executive Officer of a public social services department of a public social services district, within six years immediately preceding the date of appointment, shall be equivalent to two years of the above-prescribed experience.

• Post-graduate training in social work, public administration, hospital administration, educational administration or business administration from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State shall be the equivalent, on a year-for-year basis up to two years, of the above-prescribed experience.

*** However, no such post-graduate training can be substituted for the administrative or supervisory experience required.
 

REQUIRED APPROVAL AND APPOINTMENT INFORMATION:

• All appointments to the position of Commissioner of Social Services must be approved by the State Commissioner of Social Services.

• Appointment in this title is by the County Executive, with confirmation by the Legislature, for a term of five (5) years.

Suffolk County’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity:

• Our focus is to promote, support, and implement the County-wide diversity and inclusion strategic plan.
• We achieve results in all our responsibilities through the use of diversity and inclusion best practices.
• We maintain a familiarity with Diversity & Inclusion trends and best practices.

Suffolk County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability that can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.