Professional Development

Director of Social Services and Housing 

City of Davis 

Salary: $134,408 – $163,374 annually, DOE/DOQ 

CAREER OPPORTUNITY 

The City of Davis seeks a Director of Social Services and Housing to provide administrative direction for a newly created Social Services and Housing Department, overseeing approximately six full-time staff. Working under the direction of the City Manager, the Director is responsible for overseeing all functions and activities of the Department, including homeless outreach and services, mental health and crisis interventions, affordable housing program implementation, and other social services oversight. The Director will coordinate data analysis, code enforcement, and early intervention and prevention services. The ideal candidate will have the leadership skills to shape this new department, as they will be responsible for hiring, employee training, and departmental decisions. The Director should be a proactive thinker, community service-minded, and have an extensive background in social services and/or housing. Additionally, this individual should have exemplary relationship-building skills to foster connections internally and externally. Interpersonally, the ideal candidate will be compassionate, tactful, demonstrate exceptional communication skills, be a strong coordinator, and possess a high level of emotional intelligence. If you are looking for a unique opportunity to help your community while serving as a visionary leader for an up-and-coming department, apply today! 

See the full recruitment brochure here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/226f04b7-5747-4ded-ab8d-6b6235a221fd

THE JOB 

The Director of Social Services and Housing has a unique opportunity to build a new department from the ground up. The Director will oversee approximately six staff focused on affordable housing, homelessness, mental health intervention, and other similar services. The Director will help build a more comprehensive community health and safety network and will provide guidance to staff who analyze data relevant to community health and safety, which includes data from the Police and Fire departments. The Director will use a critical lens when looking at data and information to make decisions. A critical element of the role is coordinating with other City and County departments, community-based organizations, and other service providers that are involved in the social services of the city. Having in-depth knowledge of public policy along with City functions and activities is essential to this role. Specific knowledge about shelter, programming, and housing for the unhoused; affordable housing; federal, state and private grant funding; and mental health and substance abuse issues are also important. The City is looking for someone who can oversee complex and varied functions of the Department while furthering the City’s goals and objectives. The successful candidate needs to have strong planning and project-management skills to help the City provide improved social services.  

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE 

The ideal candidate will have a background in social services, affordable housing, and/or public health, using their knowledge to fully develop this new department. This individual will use their team-building skills to foster positive and effective working relationships with colleagues and outside stakeholders. Strong organizational skills are important for this role, as the Director must meet competing deadlines and priorities. Being a compassionate leader is important while ensuring staff are getting the support and guidance they need to provide these essential services to the community. Much of this role involves preparing budgets and allocating resources cost-effectively, making a candidate who is fiscally savvy highly desirable. Successful candidates will also have strong research skills, attentiveness to detail, and the ability to provide excellent customer service. Candidates who can show their ability to balance the ongoing needs of the City with managerial responsibilities are greatly desired.  

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: 

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public health, community development, psychology, sociology, public administration, or a related field. 
• A master’s degree or advanced certification is preferred.  
• Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible management and/or administrative experience in social services, affordable housing, public health, or a related field, including five (5) years of management experience. 

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment. 

Salary and Benefits

The annual salary range is: $134,408 – $163,374 annually DOE/DOQ. The City offers a generous benefits package. 

HOW TO APPLY 

For first consideration, apply by February 10, 2022, by completing an application and attaching your cover letter and resume at wbcpinc.com/job-board/

Please contact your recruiter, Wendi Brown, with any questions: 

• Email to: wendi@wbcpinc.com
• 541-664-0376
• 866-929-WBCP (9227) – toll-free 

Save the Dates: 

• The first and second rounds of interviews will be virtual via Zoom and take place on March 7, 2022, and March 8, 2022. The final round of interviews will take place in person on March 18, 2022. (Candidates selected to interview must be available for all three days).