Social Services Program Specialist

Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career

Please apply by: Sunday, October 26th, 2025

Salary Range: $20.00 to $23.54 per hour. This is a full time, non-exempt (hourly) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant's salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

The Mecklenburg County Department of Child, Family, & Adult Services strives to strengthen families and communities through a safety-net of services, collaborations, and hope. Our vision is to define and cultivate an organizational culture that is more compassionate and understanding toward each other and our clients.

Services For Adults (SFA) is a part of the Adult Services Division of the Mecklenburg County Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services. The division is responsible for four main program areas: Adult Social Work Services, Community Social Work, the Senior Citizens Nutrition Program, and the Mecklenburg Transportation System (MTS).

Position Specific Information

Essential functions of this position include co-managing a Senior Nutrition Meal site at Eastway Regional Recreation Center and conducting home visits for meals eligibility assessments for clients in our Home-Delivered Meal program.

Preferred applicants must have strong experience in activity planning and implementation for large groups of people that promote physical, social, and mental well-being. Experience planning large social events is also important for this role. Experience such as an Activity Coordinator or Teacher that includes work planning a variety of activities is highly preferred to manage a site that attracts 200+ clients on an average per day.

Selected candidate must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills to work with clients and other staff who help to operate this large site. Job duties also include distribution of catered meals, meal documentation, preparing reports, and budget planning for site activities and events.

Other duties include data entry and general office responsibilities that require computer skills.

Full time, onsite Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Essential Functions

Plan, implement, and oversee assigned social service programs and initiatives

Conduct needs assessments and suggest program improvements to help close any gaps in service delivery

Partner together and coordinate with service providers, governmental organizations, and community groups.

Oversee program operations to ensure regulatory compliance and quality assurance standards.

Complete the necessary paperwork for services and support programs.

Conduct research and assimilate information for the planning and implementation of activities in specified programs

Address participant concerns and ensure that services provided are client-centered

Collect, analyze, and report program data to measure effectiveness and guide improvements.

Perform other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a closely related field preferred.
• Experience planning activities and events for active, independent adult population.
• Experience teaching and/or presenting to groups.
• Broad knowledge in Gerontology and/or Food Safety.
• Knowledge of Food Service and previous related experience.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and time management skills.

• Certification in social work or case management.

• Bilingual (Spanish and English) proficiency oral and written. County required Bilingual Assessment required in order to qualify for bilingual premium pay (if applicable).

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Minimum of two years of related experience

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes

Licenses and Certifications:

Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's license

Requires County Driving Privileges

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County Local Government offers a generous benefits package which greatly increases your total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short term disability, long term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare and commuter flexible spending accounts; health savings account option; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses; an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling; access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions, and a defined benefit pension plan for retirement.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of

Research methods and practices

Federal, State, and Local social service regulations and best practices.

Skills

Possessing strong communication skills

Managing multiple tasks concurrently

Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills

Abilities

Customer Service: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers' and own organization's needs

Leadership: Keeping the organization's vision and values at the forefront of associate decision making and action

Managing Conflict: Dealing effectively with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people

Managing Work: Effectively managing one's time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently

Stress Tolerance: Maintaining stable performance under pressure or opposition (such as time pressure or job ambiguity); handling stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization

Computer Skills

Proficient in applicable computer programs

Work Environment

Works in an office setting with moderate noise

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor's request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.