Executive Service DHS PROGRAM DIRECTOR 4 Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services (APS) Murfreesboro, TN Annual Salary: $78,528.00 - $101,448.00 Closing Date: 08/17/2026

This is a hybrid position

Background Check

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Who We Are And What We Do

DHS Mission: Strengthen Tennessee by Strengthening Tennesseans

DHS Vision: To revolutionize the customer experience by growing capacity to reduce dependency.

DHS Values: High Performance Collaboration Continuous Improvement A shared Vision Customer-Centered Solutions

How You Make a Difference In This Role

This vacancy is within the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Division of Adult Protective Services (APS). The Adult Protective Services (APS) Program Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative direction for Tennessee's APS program. Through a team of approximately 150 staff, this role ensures the effective delivery of protective services to vulnerable adults who are unable to protect themselves due to physical or mental limitations. The Director oversees program performance, compliance, policy development, staff support, and statewide collaboration to uphold the mission of protecting and supporting vulnerable adults.

Job Overview

This position reports directly to the Child Care and Community Services Assistant Commissioner and directly supervises nine (9) APS state office staff.
This position develops and reviews program policies to ensure compliance with statutory and federal requirements.
In addition to the APS program, this position Administers and oversees the State's Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), and the Department's Repatriation cases involving vulnerable adults, Collaborative Response to End Self-neglect in Tennessee (CREST), and Collaborative Response to Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse (CREVAA) Programs.
This position also oversees the Statewide Coordinated Response (CCR) engaging 20+ state agencies that serve vulnerable adults to improve collaboration, investigations, and services.
The APS Director also provides oversight for receipt, deployment, and strong fiscal stewardship of federal and state funds designated to support the mission of APS.
This position may require approximately 5% travel throughout the state to engage with APS staff, attend required department and collaborative meetings, and participate in occasional national meetings.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

Direct the statewide APS program, ensuring compliance with the Tennessee Adult Protection Act and all DHS policies. Recommend, develop, and implement strategic program improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and customer experience. Lead initiatives to strengthen APS service delivery, reduce risk to vulnerable adults, and improve statewide outcomes. Engage in national, state, and local conversations and convenings to inform program design and priorities.

Operational Oversight

Oversee APS investigations involving abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults across all living settings. Maintain oversight of the APS case management system, including system design, functionality, staff training, and technical support. Ensure staff have tools, resources, and information necessary to make informed protective service decisions. Oversee performance of intake and investigations activities to meet program expectations and deliver great customer service.

Data Management & Reporting

Obtain, analyze, and interpret statistical data from APS systems and reports to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities. Develop and present visual reports and dashboards to support program decision making and performance monitoring.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

Serve as a primary liaison to internal divisions, external agencies, community partners, and service providers to ensure coordinated delivery of protective services. Explain and interpret program requirements to internal and external partners to ensure consistent understanding and compliance.

Leadership & Staff Support

Provide guidance, coaching, and high-level support to APS supervisors, field staff, and intake personnel. Foster a culture that aligns with DHS mission, values, and customer centered principles, emphasizing high performance and continuous improvement.

Financial Oversight

Engage with department budget and fiscal staff to manage deployment of financial resources allocated to APS. Oversee grants and contracts to cultivate resources needed to support Tennessee¿s vulnerable adults. Oversee and administer APS, SSBG, CREST, and CREVAA programs. Develop and implement strategic plans with objectives and strategies to improve program efficiency and customer service, ensure compliance, and identify gaps and areas of improvement. Establish program goals and performance measures through data analysis, staff feedback, and national research. Review program delivery to ensure adherence to department policies and procedures. Serves as the Commissioner¿s designee for the committees and commissions. Engage with stakeholders at a local, state, and national level to be an ambassador for APS, while gathering ideas for innovation and best practices. Guide deployment and accountability for funds allocated to APS.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors degree and eight years of full-time professional work in one of the following: social/human services, education, and/or social services grant coordination.

Preferred Skills

3+ years of Program Leadership experience providing Operational Oversight.
Experience providing financial oversight over department budgets and financial resources.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.

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