Director of Family Services Strategy

The State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) - Central Office - has one (1) current full-time job opportunity for the Director of Family Services Strategy position based in Hartford, CT.

This is a full-time forty (40) hour per week position. The work schedule is Monday through Friday on first shift. However, must be flexible in order to meet the needs of the agency.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application.

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

If selected for further consideration, at time of interview, State employees may be required to provide last two (2) service ratings and non-State employees may be required to provide two (2) letters of reference.

Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Incumbents in this class will be required to travel statewide.

This posting MAY require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Daimar Ramos at Daimar.Ramos@ct.gov or 860-263-2625.

In the Department of Developmental Services this class is accountable for designing, implementing, leading and sustaining improved, cost effective processes and systems to provide quality family and individual support and services for in-home care.

This incumbent in this position will oversee the Family Services Division at DDS.  Represents the agency in agency-wide, statewide, and national forums; researches and designs best practice processes, systems, and services related to the work of the agency; collaborates with agency leadership in facilitating program development and policy coordination; leads and manages implementation of projects relating to process or systems changes; supports regional staff in the execution of departmental priorities; manages contracts and consultants, as appropriate; conducts constituent engagement work on behalf of the Commissioner; coordinates with communications and other staff on family outreach; develops or assists in development and promulgation of departmental policies; acts as a liaison with family groups and networks; guides family networking efforts and creates platforms to establish dialogue with and between families; delivers outreach, training, and support to individuals and families; provides information to staff, families, and other partners on community resources available to individuals with disabilities across multiple systems and agencies; collaborates with systems stakeholders, including other state agencies; may attend relevant courses and workshops to provide and maintain progressive, streamlined and responsive services to families and individuals; performs related duties as required.

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 process improvement and change management; considerable knowledge of systems relevant to developmental disabilities and services; considerable knowledge of local community resources and services including those provided by social services agencies; knowledge of families and individuals served; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to influence and implement organizational change.

Ten (10) years of professional experience providing guidance, services and/or support to families in a developmental services setting which includes developmental disabilities and/or autism.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial or consultative capacity with programmatic and administrative responsibility including some experience in process design, process improvement, implementation and control for services and supports provided to families and individuals.

Note: Process improvement includes analysis of the current state of being, planning change, implementing change, measuring results, improving upon the change and controlling the new process and systems.

1. College training in Developmental Disabilities and Habilitation, Social Work or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in Developmental Disabilities and Habilitation, Social Work or related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

The preferred candidate will possess:

• considerable knowledge of current trends and practices regarding provision of integrated, supportive community based services to persons with developmental disabilities;
• experience working with Medicaid operations;
• established skill in leading teams and multi-unit collaboration;
• demonstrated experience facilitating program and policy development;
• involvement in national-level initiatives and ability to translate to implementation of programs;
• experience directing and managing projects, including implementation and evaluation;
• demonstrated success in leading process improvement and change management;
• ability to manage consultants and contracts;
• detailed understanding of community resources available to individuals with disabilities across multiple systems and agencies;
• demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, efficiently, and amicably;
• proven track record of strategic, creative thinking and problem solving;
• background in developing and promulgating policies and procedures;
• experience in delivering formal and informal training to system-wide stakeholders.

Employees in this class may be required to travel.

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.  If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Renee LaBarge, DDS EEO Director at 860-418-6022 or renee.labarge@ct.gov.