MANSFIELD — Richland County Children Services has opened a search for a new leader.
Long-time agency employee Nikki Harless, who was selected as the agency’s executive director in 2020, has announced she is retiring, effective Jan. 31.
The Ontario resident, who began working at RCCS as an intern in 1992 while attending The Ohio State University-Mansfield, rose through the agency ranks, starting as an ongoing caseworker after earning a bachelor’s degree in social work.
A Butler native, Harless later earned a master’s degree in social work with an LISW-S designation and advanced to the role of assistant director and later executive director of RCCS, a public child welfare agency.
The agency, founded in 1883, had a staff of 97 employees and a budget of more than $13 million in 2023, providing services to 1,775 alleged child victims and their families.
The agency board convened a search committee during its August meeting.
The committee has developed an updated job posting that will run at various outlets through Oct. 15.
(Below is a PDF showing a job posting and job description for the Richland County Children Services executive director position.)
The board plans a statewide search to target professionals with child protective services management or other relevant management experience, according to a written press release from agency Human Resources Manager Sarah Soliday.
“The board is committed to finding a talented leader who will successfully navigate the agency in its mission to lead the community in assuring the safety, well-being and permanency of children at risk of abuse and neglect,” Soliday said.
Interested candidates meeting the minimum qualifications should submit a letter of interest, resume and completed RCCS employment application (available on agency website) to Soliday at 731 Scholl Road, Mansfield, Ohio, 44907.
Soliday said cover letters should explain how the candidate’s experience and skills will help guide the RCCS mission.
