Community Services Executive Director

Northwestern Community Services (NWCS), which provides community-based services for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders or intellectual disability, is seeking a dynamic, highly-qualified professional to serve as its Executive Director.  NWCS, located 90 minutes west of Washington, D.C. in the historic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia serves Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties, and the City of Winchester, has an operating budget of $13 million, and employs 200 staff. The Executive Director is directly accountable and responsible to the NWCS's board of directors and provides overall leadership and professional direction of its direct and contractual mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services and its administrative operations.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the following areas.

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, or another human services-related field or in business, public, or hospital or healthcare administration or another management-related field is required and comparable related experience may substitute for education, but a graduate degree in one of these fields is preferred.


• Demonstrated considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of human services administration, business administration, or government program administration is required.


• Some knowledge of mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services is required; and considerable knowledge of these services and ability to provide clinical and programmatic oversight is preferred. 


• Some knowledge of planning, evaluation, and quality improvement methodologies and human rights requirements and issues is required, and considerable knowledge in these areas is preferred.


• Some knowledge of and experience in applying the concepts of recovery, self-determination, or person-centered planning and providing services to individuals with co-occurring disorders is preferred.


• Considerable experience in leading public or private organizations with functions and responsibilities similar or comparable to NWCS including some experience in reporting to a governing board is required. Extensive experience in leading public or private organizations with functions and responsibilities similar to NWCS with comparable budgets and in reporting directly to a board of directors with policy, fiduciary and operational responsibilities is preferred.


• Some experience in providing mental health, developmental, or substance abuse services is required with administrative and supervisory experience preferred.


• Demonstrated experience in and considerable knowledge of human resources management and financial management, including budgeting, resource allocation, contract negotiation and administration, budget monitoring and auditing is required.


• Some experience in working with a broad range of constituents including individuals, family members, and advocacy groups in the mental health, developmental, or substance abuse fields or a similar human services field and ability to communicate persuasively and concisely, orally and in writing, with a broad range of individuals, groups, and organizations are required. 


• Ability to interpret, communicate and administer current federal and state laws, regulations, and policies that apply to mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services is required.


• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative and supportive relationships with a broad range of constituents, including individuals receiving services, family members, federal, state and local officials and advocacy groups is required.


• Ability to respond to changing circumstances, manage organizational and financial risk, and adapt during periods of transition and uncertainty.

TO APPLY:  Please visit our website at www.nwcsb.com for additional background information on services provided by NWCS.  The application and a complete job description are also available at this website.  Applicants are asked to submit a completed NWCS employment application, detailed resume, salary history, and a cover letter outlining their interest in and qualifications for this position to Ms. Carolyn Moye, HR Manager or to hr@nwcsb.com.  The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience and NWCS provides an attractive benefits package.  NWCS is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: February 6, 2015.

Executive Director shall maintain a fixed, permanent, and primary residence within the service area during their tenure.

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