STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Children and Families Director of Foster Care Services

Recruitment #200930-8634MP-001

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Introduction

Do you have a desire to help children and youth find permanency? Are you ready to lead a dedicated team of professionals to achieving Foster Care goals aligning with the Agency's mission? If yes, we want to hear from you!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking to fill a Children and Families 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. However, we have not done so alone. No one has been more instrumental in that progress than our foster and relative caregivers. We aim to continue providing effective services to our foster and relative caregivers to support their success.

Consider a rewarding career with DCF!

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.
  • Provide guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance
  • Develop and analyze foster care performance reports
  • Monitor and control fiscal spending
  • Oversee recruitment, retention and licensing activities for foster and relative families
  • Ensure the foster care division functions are in compliance with applicable regulatory and licensure standards
  • Collaboration 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 stakeholders
  • Meeting safety, timely permanency and wellbeing 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.

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


Selection Plan

  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum and Preferred 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).
  • Please ensure that your application is complete and it includes how your experience meets the preferred qualification as listed in this posting.Please 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.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.
  • Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Kelly Paul at Kelly.Paul@ct.gov

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. Knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in family preservation, reunification, foster care, and adoption.
  2. Knowledge of service intervention and innovative approaches to support placement stability and prevent placement disruptions.
  3. Knowledge of the Family First Prevention Services Act and its implications for the foster care system
  4. Experience in the supervision of or provision of direction to professional staff responsible for statewide initiatives.
  5. Experience administering and monitoring state and federally funded service contracts to include developing and managing budgets and contract language.
  6. Experience utilizing large data sets to determine priorities in addressing emerging or changing Foster Care concerns.
  7. 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.





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