What are some of the laws that limit the board’s authority with respect to the county social services director?

The social services board’s legal authority with respect to the social services director is limited by state laws that give the county commissioners, the State Personnel Commission, or the state Department of Health and Human Services authority with respect to the county social services director, and by state laws that vest certain powers, duties, and responsibilities in the social services director. For example, state law gives the State Personnel Commission the authority to establish minimum education and experience qualifications for the position of county social services director and specifies the grounds that warrant a director’s dismissal from employment [G.S. 108A-9(a), 108A-12(a)]. State law also requires that the county social services director’s salary be approved by the board of county commissioners [G.S. 108A-13]. And state law makes the county social services director responsible for appointing (and dismissing) county social services personnel [G.S. 108A-14(a)(2)], administering public assistance and social services programs [G.S. 108A-14(a)(3)], administering funds appropriated for public assistance and social services programs [G.S. 108A-14(a)(4)], and carrying out other responsibilities specified by law.