Assistant Director- Center for Adult Services

Join the vibrant City of Alexandria, located in northern Virginia and bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population exceeding 160,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, the City is dedicated to addressing critical resident issues through strong partnerships with non-profit, faith, business, and philanthropic organizations.

About the Role

The Assistant Director for the Center for Adult Services serves as the Community Services Board (CSB) Executive Director, leading and directing all activities of the Center for Adult Services. This includes oversight of Aging and Adult Services; Clinical and Emergency Services; Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services; Community Support and Residential Services; and Central Administrative Support. The role is responsible for strategic planning, program development, operational oversight, and budget management, ensuring coordinated and effective service delivery across the Center, other DCHS Centers, City departments, and partner agencies.

The Assistant Director provides direct leadership and supervision to Division Directors and operates under the general guidance of the DCHS Director with broad autonomy in decision-making. Performance is assessed through strategic outcomes, regular reporting, and collaborative review meetings.

Ideal Candidate

We seek an accomplished behavioral health and human services leader with proven ability in building and leading high-performing teams, developing effective programs, and applying continuous quality improvement principles. The ideal candidate possesses:

• Behavioral health fluency, including an understanding of theories, principles, and practices of behavioral health program administration.
• Knowledge of services and support systems for older adults and adults with intellectual, developmental, and substance use disorders.
• A demonstrated commitment to advancing race and social equity, integrating equity into service design, delivery, and staff engagement.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to build effective relationships across public, private, and community partners.
• Advanced problem-solving, analytical skills, and comfort using data, program evaluation, and best-practice service models.
• Experience or ability to develop familiarity with:
  • The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and Community Services Board framework, including Virginia Code and CSB-specific operations.
  • Accreditation processes and program-evaluation approaches specific to this environment.
  • City of Alexandria budget development and municipal government policies, processes, and procedures.
  • Virginia-specific funding dynamics, including state and federal budgets and Managed Care Organization (MCO) relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the activities and functions of the Center for Adult Services, including Aging and Adult Services; Clinical and Emergency Services; Community Support and Residential Services; and Central Administrative Support.
• Serve as Executive Director of the Community Services Board (CSB), implementing mandates from DBHDS and managing accredited programs. Collaborate with the CSB Board, DBHDS leadership, the Regional Management Team, and other stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance and advance priority initiatives.
• Develop and manage budgets, providing oversight of spending and responding to funding changes.
• Lead strategic planning, operational oversight, and continuous improvement of programs, including budget recommendations and monitoring program effectiveness.
• Provide strategic leadership as part of the Department’s Leadership Team, driving the mission, strategic plan, policies, and operational priorities, including budget planning and resource alignment.
• Formulate and implement Center policies and procedures.
• Supervise Division Directors and receive general direction from the DCHS Director.
• Conduct and attend meetings with the Department Director, departmental staff, City Manager’s Office staff, residents, non-profits, boards, and commissions.
• Represent the Department on local, regional, and state-level committees focused on behavioral health, adult services, and aging-related priorities.
• Provide data on program effectiveness and direct studies to improve operations and services.
• Ensure coordination within the Center and with other Department Centers and City agencies.
• Prepare docket memos and reports on budget, program, and grant issues, assisting the DCHS Director in presenting them to City Council and other stakeholders.
• Respond to concerns and complaints from Council, the City Manager, and residents.

Department Overview

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), with nearly 700 employees, provides critical services including behavioral health, child welfare, developmental disabilities, domestic violence/sexual assault support, early childhood services, economic supports, homeless prevention, public benefits assistance, residential services, substance use treatment, workforce development, and youth development. DCHS operates through four centers: the Center for Adult Services, the Center for Children and Families, the Center for Economic Support, and the Center for Operations.

DCHS focuses on improving access to services, using trauma-informed and culturally relevant approaches, advancing equity, attracting and retaining skilled staff, building community partnerships, unifying planning, and integrating services to achieve the best outcomes for those served.

Requirements

• Four-year college degree in psychology, social work, social sciences, or related field.
• Five years of progressive management experience administering a medium-to-large behavioral health, social or human services, or developmental disability division, program, or agency.
• Five years of experience with grant-writing, management, program evaluation, accreditation, and best-practice service models.
• Any combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or doctorate degree in psychiatry, psychology, social work, public administration, or related field.
• Professional clinical license in Social Work, Psychology, or as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience administering a medium-to-large behavioral health, human services, or developmental disability agency.
• Public sector behavioral health and social service delivery experience.
• Extensive knowledge of behavioral and human service delivery systems.
• Considerable experience implementing racial and social equity and cultural competency practices in the workplace.
• Experience working cooperatively with policy-making Boards, City Council, and other City officials.
• Experience managing complex budgets.

Notes

This position requires successful completion of pre-employment background checks, including criminal records, VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry, Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database, education/certifications, and driver’s license.

Working address: 4850 Mark Center Dr., 6th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22311.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM, with evening meetings and infrequent weekend events.