STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Program Director of Multicultural Affairs

Recruitment #190627-1943MP-001

Introduction



At the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF), we are partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are composed of a Central Office, 14 area offices, and 2 facilities.

DCF recognizes the demand for the development of culturally and linguistically competent services is a major challenge facing human services and behavioral health providers today. The shifts in racial, ethnic, linguistic, religious, special needs, disability, and gender orientation diversity have required that DCF discover approaches and skills that will enable us to effectively work with people from diverse backgrounds.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs was created for the purpose of developing, implementing, and sustaining diversity initiatives and policies designed to support the diverse needs of staff and clients regardless of their race, color, national origin, gender, disability, inherent sexuality, gender identity or expression, age, social economic status, religion, or language.

DCF is seeking to fill a Program Director of Multicultural Affairs position. This position will work collaboratively with the Division of Diversity and Equity to develop and support Diversity Action and Racial Justice Teams across the state. In consultation with DCF leadership and staff, private service providers and stakeholders, determines organizational and client linguistic and diversity needs, including deaf and hard of hearing populations. This position is responsible for multicultural affairs with some work supporting The Office of Immigration Practice; the Statewide Racial Justice Workgroup; Title VI and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS); Deaf and Hard of Hearing services; and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Program Director of Multicultural Affairs is a full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday position. The position is located in our Central Office, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT with expectations of statewide travel.

Selection Plan

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Frances Leon at Frances.Leon@ct.gov, 860-550-6489.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Children and Families area office, Wilderness School, or a major program with statewide impact, this class is accountable for directing administrative support and/or program services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Chair (part of tri-chair) Statewide Racial Justice Workgroup.
  • Maintain the Statewide Racial Justice Workgroup website.
  • Ensure agency compliance with Title VI and facilitate agency self-assessments to ensure compliance with National Standards for CLAS.
  • Member of Department of Rehabilitative Services Community Advisory Council. 
  • Chair Statewide Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
  • Develop and sustain a diverse provider resource network to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of families served.
  • Identify and facilitate access to specialized linguistic services to meet the needs of diverse populations.
  • Resolve complaints/concerns with language service providers.
  • Review/disseminate documents translated to ensure accuracy of translation.
  • Monitor the Department of Administrative Services portals for linguistic services Requests for Proposals (RFP) announcements and bulletins.
  • Oversight of services for deaf and hard of hearing clients.
  • Ensure statewide maintenance of compliance with ADA laws.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; knowledge of standards of practice and administration of programs dealing with children and youth; knowledge of impact of cultural issues on service delivery and staff relationships; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the field of child welfare programs, children's protective services, foster services, adoption or social and human services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity with responsibility for planning, development, implementation or supervision of administrative or program services in child welfare, children's protective services, children's mental health or juvenile justice.

For state employees, this is at the level of Children and Families Program Manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. College education may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  2. A Master's degree or other advanced degree in the behavioral sciences, public administration, education, social work or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Knowledge of ADA laws.
  • Knowledge of intersection of immigration and child welfare.
  • Knowledge of and implementation of National Standards for CLAS.
  • Proficiency in excel, including data analysis and reporting.
  • Experience writing legislative reports.
  • Bilingual (read/write/interpret) in Spanish.
  • Experience with contract management and negotiations.
  • Experience as a group facilitator and mediator.
  • Experience developing training/curriculum.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Conclusion

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.