By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer
A search for a new Social Services director has resulted in about seven or eight applicants thus far but none yet have been determined to meet the state qualifications.
Social Services chairman and County Commissioner Amon McKenzie said Friday several applications, many from within the county and within DSS, had been received but the first batch sent to the state for pre-approval had been rejected because they did not meet requirements.
Under state law, the candidate is hired through a merit system.
McKenzie is hopeful that three applications currently pending review at the state level are “three working good ones.”
McKenzie said the decision was made to get the state’s approval on potential candidates before interviewing them since the state has to approve the final selection in the end.
“Each day we’re getting calls,” McKenzie said, but pointed out the process has been slow and the deadline has been extended until the end of April.
McKenzie emphasized that the board encourages any qualified in-house or in-county individuals to apply.
The job advertisement is placed in the County Lines Classifieds published online by the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.
The director will supervise a staff of 142 employees and is responsible for staffing and personnel issues.
The director will also serve as the principal spokesperson for the agency, according to the job description.
Minimum training and experience requirements range from a master’s degree in social work and two years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services; a bachelor’s degree in social work and three years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services, to graduation from a four-year college or university and three years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services, two of which must have been in social services, the posting reads.
The salary range is $49,842 – $101,997. Actual salary will depend upon the appropriate experience, education and salary history of candidate chosen, according to the classified advertisement.
The successful candidate will be required to reside in Columbus County.
Columbus County Department of Social Services Director Marva Scott was hired as the director for the Edgecombe County Department of Social Services and resigned effective March 5.
Scott, hired here in 2003 to replace retiring director Larry Moore, had previously served as a childcare services consultant for Edgecombe County Social Services while employed with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Scott left the department less than two months after the county agreed to pay DSS worker Deena Ward $150,000 in her sexual harassment suit filed against DSS.
Ward claimed Scott allowed a supervisor to harass her and suspended her in retaliation for Ward filing a complaint.
In September 2006, Scott herself was awarded a $195, 000 settlement from the county.
Scott sued the board of commissioners, county, sheriff and other county officials for suspending her without just cause.
Social services directors serve at the will of the five-member Social Services board.
County commissioners approve the DSS board’s appointment. Assistant DSS Director Mary Thompson is currently serving as the DSS director but made it clear that she intends to retire in the summer of this year and encouraged the board to “get busy” on finding a replacement.