STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Children and Families Program Director

Recruitment #191003-1943MP-001

Introduction



The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF), is seeking to fill a Program Director role within the Transitional Supports and Success Division, a team committed to helping youth navigate life's challenges and develop into thriving adults.

At DCF, we are 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.

The Program Director is responsible for overseeing policy and practice enhancements related to adolescents in care. The selected candidate will manage youth vocational supports/workforce competitiveness, independent living, prevention based services and re-entry services. Overseeing Central Office coordination of federal reporting into the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) and serving as the division liaison with post-secondary education is vital.

Additional responsibilities will include:
  • Leading multidisciplinary team meetings.
  • Writing policy revisions and coordinating statewide practice improvement.
  • Management of private provider contracts.
  • Collaboration with the fiscal/contracts team to support regional staff needs.
  • Researching (seeking out) and writing grants.
The ideal candidate will possess:
  • Previous experience supervising staff.
  • Experience working in a regional office.
The Program Director of Transitional Supports and Success Division is a full time, 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday position. The position is located in our Central Office at 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT, with expectations of statewide travel.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Children and Families, 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).

Candidates selected for interview must provide the following at the time of interview:
  • Resume.
  • Cover Letter.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jerica Ortiz-Lipowski at Jerica.Ortiz-Lipowski@ct.gov or 860-560-5041.

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

Directs the staff and operations of the assigned area of responsibility; coordinates and formulates program goals and objectives to conform with Department policies, standards and legal matters; develops or assists in the development of related policy; assists in directing and coordinating allocation of staff and resources to maintain service delivery system or program; manages systems/programs to ensure compliance with federal, state and department mandates; interprets and administers pertinent laws; identifies training and development needs of staff; evaluates staff; develops and monitors budgets for specific program or administrative areas; maintains liaison with individuals and organizations that impact on area or program activities; speaks before professional and lay groups; represents Commissioner in community and public relations activities within area as assigned; prepares and/or analyzes management reports including reports detailing area activities, program operations and client statistics; evaluates programs and professional social work services provided to children and families; identifies needs of children and families for purposes of determining available community resources; reviews work of assigned areas for general efficiency and effectiveness with target client populations; performs related duties as required.

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

  • Experience in quality assurance.
  • Experience in contract management and writing grants.
  • Experience in Excel, including data analytics and reporting.
  • Experience in managing budgets and grant expenditures.

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.