Executive Director
Encompass Community Supports
Formally known as Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Encompass Community Supports is conducting a search for our next Executive Director.
THE ORGANIZATION
Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board d/b/a Encompass Community Supports (ECS) is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1972. Community Services Boards (CSBs) in Virginia are legally required to be the primary point of entry for publicly funded behavioral health services in their local communities. They are agents of the local governments that established them and often termed as a ‘quasi-governmental’ organization.
For the fiscal year 2025, ECS has an operating budget of over $47,000,000 and a staff of 425 dedicated professionals. ECS has an excellent reputation for innovative services, strong financial management and employee workplace satisfaction.
THE AREA
The communities served by Encompass Community Supports are aligned with communities served by the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission, and include the communities and towns of Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties. It is situated within easy driving distance of Northern Virginia/Washington, DC, and other points north and south. The region is known for abundant outdoor resources and natural beauty, including rolling farmlands, historic towns and sites, and is in the scenic foothills adjoining the Shenandoah National Park. The population of the region is approximately 186,000, with 22% of the population being between age 0 and 17 and 19% being age 65 or older.
The Executive Director is required to have or establish residency in the Encompass service area.
BACKGROUND
Encompass Community Supports (ECS) is an integral part of the community it serves, working collaboratively with community leaders and organizations to provide comprehensive mental health, substance use, developmental disability, housing, children’s, aging, case management, and transportation services. The Board of Directors is populated with three appointed representatives from each member jurisdiction. ECS is unique in its being both a Community Services Board and an Area Agency on Aging, the only such combined agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition, ECS is currently completing a process to be identified as a Regional Housing Authority to assist in its development of affordable housing options for its communities. The current scope of operations includes supportive housing for ID/DD and seniors, mental and behavioral health services including day programs, in-patient and out-patient substance use treatment, mobile crisis teams, transportation, nutrition programs, peer support programs, and many others.
A five-year Strategic Plan was implemented July 1, 2023, and includes as its guiding priorities increasing ease of access to services; increasing community awareness of services; developing increased capacity to meet the needs of the community; incorporating best practices and service excellence into all activities; demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; providing leadership in system transformation of service delivery; and demonstrating exceptional stewardship of resources.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director has accountability for all operational, financial, personnel, public relations, and administrative activities. Additionally, the Executive Director provides daily supervision to organizational leadership and works with the Board of Directors on annual initiatives and to support the Board in fulfillment of their governance functions. The Executive Director will also effectively partner with governmental agencies, oversee the effective coordination and participation of the organization in community events, engage local donors, volunteers, community groups and staff in support of the agency mission.
Board Governance
- Act as a resource to help facilitate the Board in fulfilling their responsibilities by participating with the Board in developing and communicating ECS’s vision and mission, providing reports on operational and administrative divisions, and training and development opportunities.
- Work with the Board Chairperson and Executive Committee to enable the Board, its committees, and individual Board members to fulfill the Board’s governance functions.
Organizational Development
- Oversee the program leadership and staff, for behavioral health, developmental disability, substance use disorder, children’s services, aging programs and services, case management and all administrative operations and oversee day-to-day operations of ECS.
- Oversee the development, maintenance and evaluation of the delivery on strategic and operational plans for program and services.
- Oversee and support organization workforce initiatives as chief personnel officer including recruitment, retention and discharge per budgetary, and personnel policies established by the Board. Support the development of staff trainings and professional development.
Financial Resources Management
- Responsible for fiscal and budgetary integrity and accountability to the Board through financial reports submitted to the Board, governing bodies and funding sources. Oversee that the reports are in accordance with regulatory standards and generally accepted accounting procedures.
- Oversee the preparation and presentation of an annual operating budget for programs to the Board and local governments.
Program Management
- Oversee the programs and program development to meet strategic objectives established in the organizations’ strategic plan.
- Develop local, regional and national partnerships to enhance existing programs and identify new potential programs.
Human Resources Management
- Oversee the personnel actions to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, including hiring and separations.
- Directly oversee the director level staff and maintain an open-door policy for all staff and volunteers.
Community and Public Relations
- Serve as the public relations officer for ECS and oversee the enhancement of public awareness and community support for programs, and for media and public information.
- Develop and maintain communication channels between ECS and governing agencies, local government executives, legislators and all relevant professionals.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum:
- A Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, or another human services-related field or comparable related experience.
- Six or more years’ experience leading a public or private organization with similar functions and responsibilities or comparable to a Community Service Board.
- Familiarity with expectations of reporting directly or working with someone who reported directly to a Board of Directors or other governing body structure that has policy, operation and fiduciary authority and responsibilities.
- Two years of experience working with a broad range of constituents, including individuals receiving services, family members, and advocacy groups in mental health, developmental disability, substance use disorder, childrens’ services, aging services or a similar or related human services field.
Preferred:
- A graduate degree in social work, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, or another human services-related field or in business, public, hospital, or health care administration or another management-related field.
- 10 or more years’ experience leading public or private organizations with functions and responsibilities that are similar to ECS in budget, staff and program complexity.
- Experience with high performance organizational leadership and/or similar organizational leadership development approaches.
- Experience with applying concepts of recovery, empowerment, self-determination, or person-centered planning in mental health, developmental disability, or substance use disorder services.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of human services administration, business administration, or government program administration and of human resources management and financial management, including budgeting, resource allocation, contract management, monitoring, and auditing.
- Ability to formulate policies, develop and administer budgets, negotiate and administer contracts, formulate program plans with goals and objectives, prepare and present reports and budget requests, and conduct effective community and public relations.
- Ability to provide effective leadership, inspiring others by example to achieve the mission and vision of ECS, supervise and elicit superior performance from senior managers and administrators, and maintain high levels of employee engagement within the agency.
- Ability to plan and implement services and related procedures and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Ability to interpret, communicate, and administer current federal and state laws, regulations, and policies that apply to mental health, developmental disability, substance use disorder services, children services and aging services.
- Ability to communicate persuasively and concisely, orally, in writing, and electronically, with a broad range of individuals, groups, and organizations and develop and maintain collaborative and supportive relationships with federal, state, and local government officials, individuals receiving services and family members, and advocacy groups.
COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be extended to the selected candidate.
ECS’s benefit package offers medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage; participation in Virginia Retirement System pension and 403(b), PTO, Holidays and Employee Assistance Program.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Encompass Community Supports is an equal employment opportunity employer.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The position will remain open until filled. A first review of candidates will be by January 3
rd, 2025.
To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to Search Committee at
edsearch@ecsva.org.
Cover letters should include responses to the following list:
- Describe your experience working in a Community Service Board or similar organization and how those experiences can transfer to positively impact or influence program operations at ECS.
- Describe your experience in reporting to at least one Board of Directors, stating your role and tenure with the board. Include your most significant responsibilities and contributions in that role.
- Describe how this Executive Director position aligns with your professional career path and interests.
