Deputy Director- Children and Family Services

Salary : $108,721.60 - $161,574.40 Annually

Location : (RCGC EAST) Saint Paul, MN

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 2025-00116

Department : Social Services

Division : Admin / AdultServicesMngm

Opening Date : 02 / 04 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 19 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

Union : Unrepresented

FLSA Status : exempt

Basic Function

To direct, administer and manage a Division of the Social Services Department that provides services to families, adults and children; to coordinate services with other department and county organizations; to establish and maintain relationships and coordination with community organizations; to direct the allocation of staff and fiscal resources of the division; to provide direction in delivery of social services programs to meet prescribed outcomes; to recommend County Board policies and procedures regarding services; to participate in the overall management of the Social Services Department; and to perform related duties as assigned. to read more information.

Examples of Work Performed

• Promote a diverse, culturally-responsive, and respectful workplace.
• Administer and direct the delivery of services to clients, assuring high quality, culturally diverse and respectful service that meets the needs of the County's residents.
• Coordinate and integrate the delivery of services with related Department, County, school and community services.
• Organize, administer and direct functions of the Division such as the detoxification center, mental health and chemical dependency evaluation and treatment, child welfare, child and adult protection, foster care, childcare, pre-petition screening, case management, and service to individuals with disabilities.
• Establish relationships with individuals and groups in the community for problem-solving, service coordination and mutual goal setting.
• Establish and sustain robust community engagement processes and strategies.
• Ensure that resources are used to accomplish needed outcomes and are in compliance with laws, rules, regulations and practice standards.
• Analyze and evaluate existing policies and procedures for the division; and formulate and implement new or revised ones that insure timely, effective and legal delivery of services and racial equity impacts.
• Develop the division's administrative and service policies and procedures, to provide for consistent administration of the division and required standards of services to clients.
• Establish division goals, objectives and priorities to best meet the service needs of the community.
• Assess program performance, analyze changing conditions affecting service delivery (e.g. legislation, rules, regulations, service demands, budget), and develop and implement plans, policies or procedures to modify or expand services to meet these changing demands for direct and purchased services.
• Meet with elected officials and state representatives to influence policy decisions or to explain the policies, procedures and practices of the department.
• Participate in community collaborative and partnerships toward the goal of identifying and implementing collaborative strategies directed toward the agency mission.
• Determine projected impact of new or revised state and federal legislation and community factors to assure budget and program planning is consistent with the changing environment; develop and maintain division capacity to adapt to changes to support responsible and responsive service delivery.
• Represent the County and Department before the news media, community agencies, and state officials to explain County policies, procedures and services.
• Analyze or explain practices; or support requested action as necessary to maintain or enhance services.
• Meet regularly with County Board members and County Board committees on matters relating to the division.
• Participate in the overall management of the department through membership on the Department's management team and through individual consultation with other directors to insure consistency with departmental mission and objectives.

The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17.

SUPERVISOR / MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITY :

Supervises up to five Managers; indirectly supervises 200-350 departmental staff.

INTERNAL / EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS :

Daily contact with managers of the Division to establish policy, allocate resources, address personnel issues and determine Division priorities; daily to weekly contacts with other Social Services Department deputy directors to exchange information and discuss service coordination; weekly contact with contracted providers, collaborative members, and directors of other agencies to accomplish the division's mission; weekly contact with the Social Services Department director to discuss policy issues of major concern to the department and to the County Board, with line staff to obtain input or discuss non-routine issues or cases or problems that are interfering with service delivery; with the County Board to answer questions and explain actions being requested of the Board that will impact the division. Weekly to monthly contacts with the media to explain programs and policy, and to account for agency actions. Regular contact with state officials to influence policy, interpret rules and regulations and to exchange information, resolve problems and discuss concerns / issues. Weekly to monthly contact with community leaders to set collaborative community strategies.

IMPACT ON SERVICES / OPERATIONS :

Responsibilities impact the availability, types and quality of social services provided daily to residents of Ramsey County, the overall effective and efficient management of the department, and its public image in the community. Good work performance results in timely receipt of services which meet basic needs such as safety, food, shelter and health care. Proper performance results in the effective development and administration of a major part of the Department's budget of more than $175 million. Poor performance would result in diminished quality and availability of services, denial of services to eligible clients, budget deficits, injury to clients, decreases in available revenue, state fiscal sanctions, inability of individuals and families to become self-sufficient, and vulnerability to sanctions, litigation or public criticism. Failure to provide necessary services could leave many clients vulnerable, possible suicidal or dangerous to themselves and others.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

Work in a private office setting and meets regularly in the community at large.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED :

Minimum Qualifications

Education : Master's degree in social work, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field.

Experience : Seven years of progressive responsibility in supervision, program management or administration of social services functions, including two years experience in a public or private social service agency.

Substitution : Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications / Licensure : None.

Exam / Screening Process Information

This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration.

Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act :

Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."

Interested candidates may apply by completing the online application and attaching a resume and cover letter detailing their experience including the size of the organization(s) and scope of responsibilities.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. Criminal Background Checks : All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from appointment, or removed from employment. E-Verify Participation : Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and / or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9. Equal Opportunity Employer : Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

The letter of interest, resume and the application may be sent electronically by attaching the materials to the online posting. If you have difficulty uploading your resume or cover letter you may contact

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work / life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status / contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at

The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium

Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option

Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)

Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments

Fully funded Metropass.

Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.

County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available

Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year

For information about Ramsey County's 2025 benefits, visit :

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write "see resume" as it is not an acceptable answer. The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process.

Have you completed or currently participating in any of the following Public Sector Partnership Programs at Ramsey County?Examples may include a program in partnership with HIRED, Project for Pride in Living (PPL), Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, or an internship (including Right Track Plus), fellowship, limited duration assignment, provisional assignment, temporary opportunity or participating in a work experience like the Young Adult Career Academy, or job shadow experience. Answer No if none of the above.

Children and Family Services Deputy Director is a key participant in building, nurturing, and maintaining relationships with County and Community Leaders. Describe your experiences in working and collaborating within your previous work and with Community around child welfare and family preservation issues. What do you believe are the most important elements when representing this role and the work it needs to accomplish?

This Deputy Director position is a high-profile position in Ramsey County. You will be responsible for setting the pace and direction of your team and the Community, oversight of the budget, and making decisions as the lead administrator - sometimes without guidance. What would you focus on in your first 90 days in this position? How will you manage expectations so that you may focus?

The ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships is essential to success in this position. Please describe your experience working with elected officials, internal leaders, external agencies / entities and others in collaborative efforts. How do you develop and build relationships and garner trust while at the same time addressing issues and dealing with concerns of the individual parties?

Part of the Ramsey County Advancing Racial Equity Policy states that Ramsey County aims to fully understand and appreciate the richness and diversity of who we are as a community, while recognizing the history of racial inequities. What have you done to further your knowledge about the impacts of racial inequities? How have you included racial equity, understanding racism, or similar activities in your professional development? How have you demonstrated what you have learned?

Required Question

Salary : $108,722 - $161,574