Children and Families Program Director

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (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. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter. Currently we are seeking individuals who are looking to advance their career and make a difference!

We are actively recruiting for a Children and Families Program Director. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday position. The position is located at 322 Main Street Willimantic, CT.

Are you interested in working in a position responsible for leading staff in achieving positive outcomes and make a difference for children and families? If so, we invite you to discover this outstanding opportunity to join our dedicated team!

The Program Director position is responsible for overseeing the practice and administrative direction over the Willimantic Area Office. This position will direct and coordinate the allocation of staff and resources throughout the Willimantic Administration. Responsibilities will further include directing staff and operations of area office; coordinates and formulates program goals and objectives to conform with the Departments policies, evaluates staff, develops and monitors budgets for specific program or administrative areas; maintains liaison with individuals and organizations that impact area or program activities.

We offer competitive benefits which includes health and dental insurance, a retirement plan, group life insurance, and other supplemental benefits. Paid time off is also offered, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year, in addition to vacation, sick and personal leave accruals.

• Please ensure that your application is complete; You must specify your qualifications on 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.

• 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).

• Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Kelly Paul at Kelly.Paul@ct.gov.

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.

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.