Director of Foster Care Services

Recruitment #190628-8634MP-001

Location

Hartford, CT

Date Opened

7/2/2019 12:00:00 AM

Salary

$97,648 - $133,153/year

Job Type

Open to the Public

Close Date

7/26/2019 11:59:00 PM

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Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking to fill a Director of Foster Care Services position. The position will work collaboratively with the Bureau of Child Welfare to ensure the child’s first placement is their only placement. DCF is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive.

We are comprised of fourteen (14) area offices, 2 facilities, the Wilderness School, and Central Office. All 14 Offices have a Foster and Adoption Services Unit (FASU) that shall report up to the Director of Foster Care Services. FASU units are responsible for implementing statewide initiatives and procedures related to foster care and adoption at the local level.

If a child cannot remain at home, placing children with relatives or people that they know is our first priority. The Department of Children and Families has taken great strides over the last several years to improve how we serve vulnerable children and families in Connecticut. But, we have not done so alone. No one has been more instrumental in that progress than our foster and relative caregivers. Beyond question, foster and relative caregivers have complex roles caring for children that have often experienced significant trauma. DCF is committed to not adding to that trauma by limiting the number of placements a child experiences in our foster care system.

This position will serve as the Statewide Administrator of Foster Care Services, responsible for:

Ensuring uniformity in the implementation of statewide foster care, guardianship and adoption initiatives.
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Developing and analyzing foster care performance reports.
Monitoring and controlling fiscal spending.
Overseeing recruitment, retention and licensing activities for foster and relative families
Ensuring the foster care division functions are in compliance with applicable regulatory and licensure standards.
Collaborating with other DCF divisions, including but not limited to: CPS staff, Careline and Special Investigations Unit; Regional Resource Groups; Health and Wellness; Human Resources Management; the office of Legal Affairs; and the Ombudsman.
Building linkages - outreach and creating awareness with external stakeholder.
Meeting safety, timely permanency and well being needs of children in foster care with the integration of racial justice.

This 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, Frances.Leon@ct.gov, 860-550-6489.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Children and Families, Foster Care Services Division, this class is accountable for directing the planning and development of activities designed to meet service needs of its client population.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Directs staff and operations of division; coordinates, plans and manages division activities; formulates program goals and objectives; develops or assists in development of related policy; interprets and administers pertinent laws; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in preparation of division budget; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of division who might impact on program activities; oversees department strategic planning process related to foster care recruitment and retention; establishes statewide practice and performance standards related to foster care recruitment, retention and licensing; develops and implements public relations activity promoting foster care; initiates and provides program oversight of all contracted services pertaining to foster care services; evaluates contracted foster care services including the provision of foster family care and foster parent support or recruitment services; prepares legislative testimony regarding foster care; assists in preparation of regulations pertaining to foster care; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of principles and practices of state and regional planning in foster care services programs; considerable knowledge of methods of program monitoring and evaluation; considerable knowledge of governmental legislative processes including governmental budgeting, merit system requirements and collective bargaining; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Ten (10) years of professional experience in a public or non-profit human services organization with statewide operations or multi-faceted programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity with responsibility for at least two (2) of the following functions: child welfare administration, child protective services, regional foster care services or planning and program evaluation.

NOTE: For current state employees, the Special Experience requirement is two (2) years at the level of a Children and Families Program Director or above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training 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.
A Master's degree in social work (administration) or public administration may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in family preservation, reunification, foster care, and adoption.
Knowledge of service intervention and innovative approaches to support placement stability and prevent placement disruptions.
Knowledge of foster care statutes and regulations for the State of Connecticut
Knowledge of the Family First Prevention Services Act and its implications for the foster care system
Experience in the supervision of or provision of direction to professional staff responsible for statewide initiatives.
Experience administering and monitoring state and federally funded service contracts to include developing and managing budgets and contract language.
Experience utilizing large data sets to determine priorities in addressing emerging or changing Foster Care concerns.
Experience managing multiple time sensitive priorities in a high workload environment involving collaboration with other internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely completion of work tasks.

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.