Children and Families Program Director

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

The Program Director is responsible for overseeing practice transformation efforts in programs that serve adolescents who need intensive, short term treatment. The Program Director will oversee a performance improvement center, lead stakeholder meetings, write policy revisions and have an active role in coordinating statewide service alignment. Responsibilities will include management of private provider contracts, overseeing treatment plan review teams, supporting licensing efforts, and collaborating with the fiscal/contracts team to support regional staff needs. Responsibilities will further include policy development, reviews of practice for consistency with federal legislation, data management, consultation on service effectiveness, capturing youth voice to inform policy/practice, and employing best practices for transitional age youth.

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off.

Ideal candidates will:
• Have a broad understanding of federal legislation related to prevention, diversion, out of home care
• Be organized, resourceful, and solution focused
• Possess strong communication skills
• Have demonstrated relationships with a broad section of multidisciplinary stakeholders
• Have familiarity with prevention/diversion/intervention services for youth and families
• Have history of developing and sustaining relationships with service providers
• Have familiarity with Connecticut provider network and systems of care

Please ensure that your application is complete and it includes how your experience meets the preferred qualification as listed in this posting. (You may include your resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application.) You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.

At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include performance reviews, attendance, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. You do not have to attach these documents to your application submission.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Experience in quality assurance
• Experience in contract management and with credentialed services
• Experience managing provider partnerships/relations
• Experience with Excel, including data analytics and reporting
• Experience in managing budgets and grant expenditures

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.

*New State Employees start at minimum salary range.

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.