Richland County Children Services begins search for new executive director

MANSFIELD — Richland County Children’s Services has begun a search for a new leader.

Nikki Harless, a longtime agency employee who was tapped to serve as the agency’s executive director in 2020, announced she is retiring effective January 31.

The Ontario resident, who started at RCCS as an intern in 1992 while attending Ohio State University at Mansfield, gradually rose through the ranks at the agency, starting as a social worker after earning a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Harless, originally from Butler, later earned a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in LISW-S and rose to become deputy director and later executive director of RCCS, a public child welfare agency.

The agency, founded in 1883, had 97 employees and a budget of more than $13 million in 2023. It provided services to 1,775 alleged child victims and their families.

The agency’s board convened a recruitment committee at its August meeting.

The committee has prepared an updated job offer which will be displayed in various locations until October 15.

(Below is a PDF of the job posting and job description for the Richland County Children Services Executive Director.)

According to a written press release issued by Sarah Soliday, the agency’s director of human resources, the board plans to conduct a statewide search for professionals with experience in child protective services management or other management experience in the field.

“The Board is committed to finding a talented leader who will successfully lead the agency in its mission to lead the community in ensuring the safety, well-being and permanence of children at risk of abuse and neglect,” Soliday said.

Interested applicants meeting the minimum qualifications should submit a cover letter, resume, and completed RCCS Application for Employment (available on the 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 advance the RCCS mission.