Head of Department / Head of Department Social Counseling

Head of Department / Head of Department Social Counseling

70% - 100% – Sursee – from 01.12.2026

The Center for Social Services is one of the largest associations of its kind in Switzerland. On behalf of 28 municipalities with a catchment area of over 100,000 people, we are actively engaged, accessible, and networked in the following areas: Child and Adult Protection Authority (KESB), professional guardianship, social counseling, mother and father counseling, addiction counseling, and school social work.

The Social and Addiction Counseling department operates in a polyvalent manner and offers a wide range of counseling services. These include personal and economic social assistance, youth and educational counseling, budget and debt counseling, assessments for municipalities and in the area of child protection for the KESB, as well as addiction counseling. The department also includes school social work in eleven municipalities.

As the current post holder is returning to her original residential area for family reasons, the position is to be filled anew by December 2026 or by agreement.

Your Tasks

Tasks in the overall operational context of the municipal association

• Participation in the management of the Center for Social Services

• Active involvement in operational development and quality management

• External communication of the department in coordination with management

• Targeted, effective, and sustainable completion of assigned tasks, especially the political and operational performance mandate

• Participation in internal and external working groups, projects, and expert committees

Tasks in the context of personnel management

The department includes 47 employees. Directly subordinate to you are the team leaders of social counseling and administration at both locations as well as the team leader of school social work.

• Personnel management, promotion, and support of employees

• Ensuring quality, knowledge transfer, and professional development

• Designing processes, workflows, and concepts

• Collaboration with municipalities, specialist offices, authorities, and other stakeholders

Tasks in client work

• Counseling and support of adolescents, adults, couples, and families in complex social issues

• Counseling in the area of economic and personal social assistance

• Counseling on social insurance, budget, and income management

What you bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work

• Several years of leadership experience in the social sector

• High reliability and resilience

• Conflict resolution and assertiveness skills

• Knowledge in controlling, quality management, and operational development

• Integrative, mature, and loyal personality

What we offer you

Paid breaks of 15 min. per half-day

25-33 days of vacation, possibility of unpaid leave/sabbatical and additional vacation purchase of 1-2 weeks

Appreciative atmosphere and collegial working environment

Flexible working hours model, possibility of home office

Free on your birthday (based on hours worked)

Time and financial support for further education

Your contacts for

Questions about the application process
Christine Albisser
HRM Specialist
041 914 34 29

Questions about the position

Jim Wolanin
Managing Director
0419143429

Are you interested?

We look forward to your application. If you have any questions, Christine Albisser and Jim Wolanin are happy to assist you. Applications via email cannot be considered.

Your workplace

Center for Social Services
Christoph-Schnyder-Strasse 4b
6210 Sursee