Family and Community Services Director

The State of Connecticut, Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is a unique state agency in Connecticut that helps families with young children achieve better life outcomes.  A newer state agency, OEC is called on in its enabling statute to be data-driven, human-centered, and result-focused.  We touch the lives of over 200,000 young children, parents, and caregivers annually through our integrated focus on early care and education programs and safety supports, our home visiting programs, and other critical early childhood services.  By scale of funding, OEC is one of the largest departments of Connecticut state government, deploying and leveraging approximately half a billion dollars each year in service of vulnerable families and communities.  Connecticut is a leader in the coordination of early childhood programs throughout the country.  Whereas early childhood programming in most states is fragmented across multiple programs which families must navigate, only a handful of states have created agencies dedicated to integrating the supports families with young children require – an only Connecticut’s has  clear data-driven mandate.  New parenthood and early childhood are extremely important moments in a person’s life and nurturing or harmful experiences during this time can have significant and long lasting impacts.  OEC acts on the overwhelming evidence that intervention early in life, is the most promising way to break the cycle of poverty.  

Your work will have an impact on the economic security, health, safety, and resilience of families with young children. You will help make childcare safer, more accessible and of higher quality; you will provide agency staff with the fiscal and operations support they need to help build a system focused on preventing child abuse, neglect, and trauma; you will help families gain greater economic stability; you will support families with young children who have developmental delays. 

Responsibilities of this position will be focused on grant activities and assurances. It will include working collaboratively across the agency and with the commissioner and the leadership team to support agency and program goals though a coordinated approach to grant funding and implementation of grants (federal, private philanthropy).  This person will assist in the development of agency policy related to grants; evaluate staff; prepare or assist in the preparation of agency budget, as assigned; review and evaluate availability and uses of federal and state and private funds from grants; develop and recommend service expansion and/or modification; recommend changes necessary to implement, coordinate and integrate services across the agency; develop and recommend changes to statutes and regulations to maximize funding and effectiveness; prepare comprehensive reports; work with federal, state and community agencies in developing and implementing grant funded programs; provide for assurance of quality and cost effective delivery of service.

This position is located at 450 Columbus Blvd., Hartford.  The hours are 8:00 - 4:30, Monday - Friday.  This position is located at 450 Columbus Blvd., Hartford.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Office of Early Childhood, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application with their submission.  Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

Should you have questions pertaining to any phase of this recruitment, please contact the hiring agency's human resources office:  Ellen Morris, ellen.morris@ct.gov, (860) 713-6670.

In the Department of Children and Families and Office of Early Childhood, this class is accountable for developing and administering a comprehensive statewide system of family and community programs and services as it relates to children served by the agency. 

Directs the staff and operations of the unit; coordinates, plans and managers unit activities; formulates program goals and objectives; develops or assists in the development of related policy; interprets and administers pertinent laws; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in the preparation of budget, as assigned; maintains contact with individuals both within and outside of the unit who might impact on policy or program activities; reviews and evaluates availability and uses of federal and state funds; develops and recommends service expansion and/or modification; identifies, reviews and recommends community service offerings; recommends changes necessary to implement, coordinate and integrate services across the agency; evaluates responsiveness of program and activities in the community; develops and recommends changes to statutes and regulations; monitors progress of department sponsored legislation as well as other legislation that will impact the department; prepares comprehensive reports; works with federal, state and community agencies in developing and implementing new or modified programs; provides for quality and cost effective delivery of services; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant community programs and services; knowledge of the state legislative process; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable organizational and administrative ability; ability to draft and interpret legislation and administrative regulations, proposals and reports.

Nine (9) years of experience in a managerial or administrative capacity in an organization having programmatic and/or regulatory responsibilities.

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal laws, statutes and regulations guiding the Care4Kids childcare subsidy
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques
• Considerable knowledge of early childhood services, youth camps, and professional development within the Birth to Five field
• Knowledge of the state legislative process and agency budget development
• Considerable interpersonal skills
• Considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable organizational and administrative ability
• Ability to draft and interpret legislation and administrative regulations, proposals and reports
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration with special reference to governmental budget development and management
• Knowledge of purchasing procedures as well as grants and contracts preparation and administration
• BA Required. MA, MSW, MPA. MED strongly preferred - In ECE, Public Policy Policy or Management
• Experience writing, overseeing and reporting on large grants ($50,000 plus)
• 5 years experience in ECE and/or public policy
• Demonstrated understanding of OEC's mission and state government operations
• Experience writing and implementing local, state and or federal grants
• Experience with supervision and oversight

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.