STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Children and Families Program Director

Recruitment #210927-1943MP-001

Introduction



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 you so, we invite you to discover this outstanding opportunity to join our dedicated team!

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) we have a mission of partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive everyday to meet the needs of those we encounter. Our family-centered, strength-based approach to our work seeks to improve the well-being of the children and families we serve. 

We are currently recruiting for one (1) full-time a Children and Families Program Director to work in the Hartford Area office, located at 250 Hamilton Street in Hartford, CT. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position on first shift, Monday through Friday. The hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an hour meal break.

The Program Director position is responsible for overseeing the practice and administrative direction over the Hartford Area Office. This position will direct and coordinate the allocation of staff and resources throughout the Hartford Administration. Additionally, along with other duties as needed, we would have you: 
  • Direct staff and operations of the area office
  • Coordinate and formulate program goals and objectives to conform with the Departments policies
  • Evaluate staff
  • Develop and monitor budgets for specific program or administrative areas
  • Act as a liaison with individuals and organizations that impact area or program activities
You will discover the opportunity to: 
  • Engage in a rewarding career
  • Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do for our clients
  • Assist our clients so they can achieve success
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment
As a state employee, you will be open to a terrific work life balance and competitive benefits package. This includes: excellent health care, generous leave policies, a retirement plan, a deferred compensation program, and more! 

We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!

Check out this video below to see what its like to be a state employee: 

Selection Plan

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.   

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board  (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jasmyn Raymond, Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov.

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 Supervisor.

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.

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.