Search for county child welfare director ongoing

It's been more than six months since Clark County's child welfare leader resigned amid repeated criticism of her leadership, and county officials are not in a rush to get a permanent replacement.

County officials in September started a national search to fill the position vacated by Lisa Ruiz-Lee, former Clark County Family Services director, but purposely didn't include a deadline, Assistant County Manager Jeff Wells said.

"We wanted to give people the opportunity to continue to look at the job and continue to apply for it," he said Wednesday. "It's more important, we think, to make the right decision, than to make a quick decision."

Ruiz-Lee announced in July she was stepping down after months of tension with employees over safety issues involving children, their families and workers. Still, county officials praised her work. A committee, established before Ruiz-Lee's departure, has been working to bring reforms to the child welfare system and courts.

Tim Burch, county Social Services director, has been interim director of the child welfare system since August.

The salary range for the job is $108,721 to $168,563 annually, according to the job posting. Wells said the salary might be closer to the midpoint.

Denise Tanata Ashby, executive director for the Children's Advocacy Alliance in Las Vegas, said she's aware officials have an open timeline on the search, and she's not against it.

"We are definitely not opposed to making sure that they are very diligent in the work that they are doing and not trying to rush into something that might not be the best for (Family Services)," she said Wednesday. "We've gone through a few directors in the last few years."

County officials have posted the position in all industry-type organizations, such as the Washington-based Child Welfare League of America, Wells said. He said he has contacted half a dozen people who are qualified for the position and shared the job posting with others in the industry to distribute to potential candidates.

The efforts, thus far, have resulted in about 380 applications, of which about 50 meet the qualifications, Wells said.

Officials have interviewed some potential candidates, but Wells said finalists haven't been determined yet.

But officials are looking for candidates with child welfare, human resources or social service experience.

Contact Yesenia Amaro at yamaro@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3843. Find her on Twitter: @YeseniaAmaro