State of Maryland

A Chief, Child Welfare Resource Recruitment is professional social work as an administrator in the Maryland Department of Human Services. The employee in this classification directs the program of resource development in the Office of Child Welfare. The employee in this classification is responsible for coordinating programs in the Department of Human Services with other State agencies for the purpose of integrating those programs into a uniform effort to deliver optimum services to children in Maryland.  The employee in this classification performs work that requires the resolution of problems, modification of existing systems and development of alternate resources to improve the delivery of those services.  The employee in this classification has personal contacts with administrators of public and private agencies and usually involve sensitive or controversial issues. The employee in this classification may represent the Department in work with advocacy groups, social service boards and committees, and community groups. The employee in this classification is responsible for the supervision of other professionals.

The employee in this classification reports to the Director, Office of Child Welfare Services and acts in the absence of the Director. The employee is expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative in decision making and in developing new programs, services and resources.  Work effectiveness is determined through consultation, and evaluation of program results.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Directs a program of child welfare services;

Designs and implements program initiatives to effectively match available resources to the needs of children in foster care;

Designs and supervises a Statewide system of foster care providers such as foster homes, specialized foster homes; shelter care, group homes, residential treatment, independent living facilities;

Develops recommendations for new or revised procedures, policies, and standards to improve services to children in foster care;

Supervises recruitment, licensure and negotiated rate-setting for foster care providers;

Acts as an advocate for the program;

Negotiates with other State agencies and administrations within the Department of Human Services on behalf of the program and coordinates new activities with existing programs;

Represents the program in the community and in meetings with local, state, and federal representatives and officials;

Develops the program budget;

Supervises the collection of data, conducts studies and prepares reports to the State legislature regarding the delivery of services;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge, at the expert level of proficiency, of social work methods and practices;

Knowledge of State and federal laws relating to child welfare programs;

Knowledge of innovative, model programs in child welfare services;

Knowledge of the special needs of children in foster care;

Knowledge of techniques and procedures for managing a public social service program;

Knowledge of budget development and administration;

Knowledge of supervision and personnel management;

Ability to develop innovative programs for foster children with special needs;

Ability to develop and coordinate policies, procedures, and standards to improve services to children in foster care;

Ability to evaluate services and plan initiatives;

Ability to interpret and apply State and federal laws to program operations;

Ability to present ideas;

Ability to represent the program before community groups, the legislature, and other State agencies.

Education:   A Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university and based on a graduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience: Five years of experience in child welfare services with responsibility for the operation or supervision of foster care programs.

Note: These requirements are established by the Social Services Administration by authority provided in the Health Occupations Article, Section 19-302 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and the Department of Budget and Management does not have authority to accept substitution or equivalents.

1. Candidates must be licensed by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners prior to appointment to a position in State Service. Applicants who do not have a license may also apply pending receipt of the required license. When the license has been obtained, submit a copy to the Department of Budget and Management to remove pending status.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties may be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit F, Social and Human Service Professionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.