Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Government Services Center, 500 Fir Avenue West Fergus Falls, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 64:09/26
Department: Human Services
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/23/2026 4:30 PM Central

Description

Otter Tail County is accepting applications for a full-time Social Services Supervisor in the Behavioral Health Unit.

The purpose of this position is to supervise the Behavioral Health Team programs including, but not limited to, Children and Adult Mental Health Case Management, Chemical Health, Jail Community Re-entry Program, Adult Intake Services, and Adult Protection and all related guidelines, rules, and regulations. This position plays a primary role in the regional Adult Mental Health Initiative and Otter Tail County Emergency Preparedness as it relates to Human Services and Behavioral Health.

In general, Social Services Supervisors perform highly responsible professional work in the administration and supervision of social services programs involving the interpretation and assessment of policies and the supervision of professional, paraprofessional and office support personnel assigned to the social services division/team. Specific program areas include: child protective services, adult protective services, mental health case management, developmental disabilities case management, long term care services, chemical dependency services, foster care, day care, family-based services, or school-based social services. Management functions include: plan, organize, assign, schedule, monitor, coordinate and evaluate the work of team members; to provide training and guidance; to provide diagnostic and consultative services within the specialty area, to develop programs, policies and procedures, to allocate resources in program areas by developing budgets, and to monitor financial transactions and negotiate contracts with providers.

Applications will be accepted until 4:30pm on September 23, 2026.
Examples of Duties

• Work collaboratively with the management team to define vision for the agency; establish goals, objectives and priorities to meet service needs.
• Participate in long term strategic planning. Collect and analyze data to monitor trends and developments relating to client and program needs. Monitor changing conditions.
• Develop and maintain a provider network to ensure adequate service delivery. Negotiate new contracts with providers and maintain ongoing contracts as needed. Monitor service delivery.
• Maintain relationships with representatives of public and private social service agencies, represent the agency in committee assignments, in interactions with community groups and in public speaking engagements.
• Analyze and evaluate existing policies and procedures, formulate and implement new or revised policies and procedures as warranted.
• Participate as a member of department management team. Attend and participate in management meetings to represent assigned programs. Submit agenda items for consideration. Meet with director and other team managers to exchange information, for planning and to coordinate activities.
• Administration and supervision of programs including: chemical dependency, child protection and child welfare, adult and children's mental health, family services collaborative, adult services and programs, child care and foster care licensing, long-term care coordination, IV-E program management, agency data analysis services, developmental disabilities and disability waivers.
• Develop, plan and administer assigned programs.
• Assess program performance, analyze changing conditions affecting service delivery (legislation, rules, regulations service demands, budget) and develop and implement plans, polices or procedures to modify or expand service to meet these changing demands for direct and purchased services.
• Assist in planning and development of the social service budget.
• Monitor budget and keep staff apprised of budget deviations.
• Manage and administer all team and program budgets.
• Approve unusual or discretionary expenditures when necessary.
• Supervise the work of social workers/case managers/etc. and case aides within the team by hiring staff, assigning cases, evaluating work performance, and providing guidance for development,; ensuring staff compliance with federal, state, and local developmental laws, policies, procedures and regulations; conducting case consultations and team meetings to monitor service delivery and resolve problems; recommending and administering disciplinary action; other supervision activities.
• Provide 24/7 coverage for social service situations.
• Receives and responds to complaints or informational requests from people served, officials and the public.
• Recommends legal action to the county attorney regarding people served.
• Plans, develops and presents informational training sessions to team staff.
• Assists in interpreting laws, policies, rules and regulations.
• Develop and negotiate service agreements, develop requests for proposals, conduct grant writing activities and submit required reports.
• May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.
• Otter Tail County leaders exhibit the core values of integrity, respect, positivity, growth, and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or graduate degree with a major in social work, psychology, sociology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, human services administration, or closely related field.
• 5 years of related experience.
• Valid driver's license.
• Preferred qualifications include experience in the mental health/substance use disorder field and supervisory/leadership experience.

Supplemental Information

This position is regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30, with the potential for evening or weekend hours. The 2026 starting salary for this position is $86,965 annually, depending on qualifications, with advancement to $130,374 annually.

The selection process will include an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview. Prior to hire, finalist will be required to pass a background investigation and reference check. A standard one-year probationary period applies.

How to Apply
To apply for this position, click on desired job title, then the "Apply" link. On-line applications are stored on a secure site. Only you and authorized employees of Otter Tail County have access to the information submitted.

When filling out any employment application materials for Otter Tail County, you must include your entire employment and education history. Failure to do so may render your application incomplete.

Veterans Preference
Eligible veterans as defined by Minnesota Statute 197.447 may claim Veterans Preference during the hiring process. A DD214 and required supporting documentation must be included with the employment application to receive preference.

Background Investigation
All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from the following sources: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, other law enforcement agencies, court documents, educational institutions, previous employers, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, military records, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and known associates of the applicant.

Criminal convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. Making false statements or withholding information during the hiring process will cause you to be barred from employment or removed from employment.

Otter Tail County is a tobacco-free workplace.

01

The following questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and experience and is used to determine advancement in the hiring process. Be sure that your responses are thorough and complete. If a question asks for education and experience that you have already stated in the employment application, it is still important to answer the question thoroughly on the questionnaire. All responses should be examples of your own writing and will be evaluated for potential AI. If we determine that the responses were created using AI, your application may be deemed ineligible.
02

Based on the position description and your knowledge of social work practice, what strengths do you bring to this position that will benefit the people served, the team, management team colleagues, the agency, and you? Additionally, what would you identify as opportunities for your own professional growth?
03

Describe your management and/or supervision style and how you would utilize it in the following situations: a. Resolve a communication issue/concern with an employee. Provide an example. b. Collaborate with other department supervisors to establish a procedure that impacts multiple units across departments. Provide an example.
04

As a supervisor, you will often be responsible for helping staff navigate change. How would you support your team in implementing a change that may be unpopular or challenging? How would you assess whether the change was successful?
05

The Behavioral Health Team includes staff who work remotely, in the office, at other office locations, and in the community. As a supervisor, how would you ensure that staff receive consistent supervision and support while maintaining clear expectations and accountability across these different work settings?
06

Are you bilingual? If you are bilingual, indicate the language(s) you speak and your skill level. Also tell us whether you can speak fluently, read/or write the language(s).
07

Have you included your entire work history on this employment application? Do not mark your application "see resume". Not including your entire work history will render your application incomplete.
08

How did you hear about this job opportunity? Check all that apply.

• Otter Tail County Website
• Minnesota Works Website
• Newspaper
• Social Media
• Word of Mouth
• Other

Required Question