Earl Conklin, Director of Human Services, announced his retirement from the City effective December 7, 2012. He will be joining the Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court as their Court Services Unit Director.

Conklin has been with the City since 1990 when he was hired as the first director of Aurora House, a residential counseling center for teen girls offering long-term community-based treatment. He later served as the City’s Director of Court Services and was promoted to Director of Human Services in 2011.

“Earl has demonstrated an incredible level of dedication to improving the wellbeing of our City’s residents,” said City Manager Wyatt Shields. “He has been instrumental in the development of many of the City’s youth and family resources, and their existence is a testimony to his ability to relate and empathize with citizens of all ages. Earl’s legacy will be long-lasting.”

Conklin has been instrumental in establishing and growing several key initiatives including the Aurora House and its College Scholarship Program, the 1-2-1 and RISE Mentoring Programs, and the Falls Church City Alliance for Youth, for which he served as Chair from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, he was a member of many other organizations including the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Policy Management Team, the Virginia Court Service Unit Directors’ Association, and the Virginia Association of Local Human Service Officials. Conklin also served as a member of the Gang Prevention Steering Board for the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force which he chaired in 2010, and in 2004 he earned the designation of Certified Public Manager through the City’s partnership with the Metropolitan DC Council of Governments Executive Development Program.

Plans for filling Conklin’s position will be announced in December.