STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Director of Implementation

Hybrid (Children and Families Program Director)

Recruitment #221123-1943MP-001

Introduction


Do you want to lead staff in achieving positive outcomes and make a difference for children and families? 
If so, we encourage you to apply!

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 composed of a Central Office, 14 area offices, and 2 residential facilities, and the Wilderness School. The Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Administration (ODCA) is recruiting for a Director of Implementation (Children and Families Program Director) at our Central Office, located at 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, hybrid role with a Monday - Friday schedule. 

ODCA seeks to hire a dynamic and systems focused leader with exceptional organizational and project management skills who has demonstrated an ability to design, manage and monitor large projects. A successful candidate will be outcome focused with demonstrated experience developing a culture of collaboration and teamwork. This position reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Administration and performs a myriad of both confidential and administrative functions including but not limited to:
  • Providing support and assistance to the Deputy Commissioner of Administration with practices changes as assigned
  • Facilitating the agency's bi-monthly Business Process Meeting where implementation plans regarding policies and practice changes are developed and tracked
  • Assisting with the implementation of the State of CT, Executive Fellowship Program
  • Acting as Co-chair to the Policy and Practice Sub-Committee of the Statewide Racial Justice Workgroup
  • Acting as Co-chair to the Services Outcome Advisory Committee that coordinates and supports teams in the development of performance outcome measures for service providers
  • Collaborating and supporting other administrative functions/units including Human Resources and Fiscal Service with tasks such as COVID-19 tracking, administrative meetings/hearings related to employment, pre-employment background checks, telework application process, and data collection of the agency’s fleet operations
If you have experience in the following areas, then this might be the role for you!
  • 3-5 years of change management, project management, and organizational effectiveness experience
  • Extensive knowledge and proficiency in data analytics
  • Highly proficient in the utilization of pertinent software including Microsoft Suite (Word,
  • Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Vizio)
  • Racial Justice/Multi-cultural lens and understanding
  • Ability to collaborate with all internal and external stakeholders
  • Strong in analytical skills
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Ability to work independently
  • Considerable oral and written communication skills
  • Leadership and strategic planning skills
  • Demonstrated success in change initiatives
  • Ability to adapt to changing work priorities and compressed deadlines
  • Ability to adaptive and learn web base applications quickly.
  • High standards of integrity, reliability, attention to detail and confidentiality
State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 
  • Excellent health and dental coverage 
  • A generous retirement plan
  • Paid time off
  • A healthy work/life balance
We encourage you to come see all that Connecticut has to offer by joining the DCF team! 

            

Selection Plan

To Apply:

  • This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. We are no longer accepting resumes in accordance with PA 21-69. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

Important Information After You Apply:

  • 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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules
  • 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.
  • 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, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Connect With Us:

  • 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.
  • Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Ethan Ives via email at Ethan.Ives@ct.gov.
#INDHP

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Children and Families area office or a major program with statewide impact this class is accountable for directing administrative support and/or program services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Directs staff and operations of the assigned area of responsibility;
  • Coordinates, plans and manages program activities; 
  • Formulates program goals and objectives; 
  • Develops or assists in development of related policy; 
  • Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
  • Evaluates staff;
  • Develops and monitors budgets for specific program or administrative areas;
  • Maintains contact with individuals and organizations within and outside of agency which impact on area or program activities;
  • Assists in directing and coordinating allocation of staff and resources to maintain service delivery system or program; 
  • Manages systems and/or programs to ensure compliance with federal, state and department mandates; 
  • Identifies training and development needs of staff;  
  • 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; 
  • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • 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 practices;
    • standards of practice and administration of programs dealing with children and youth; 
    • impact of cultural issues on service delivery and staff relationships;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • 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 or supervisory 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.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Children and Families Program Supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • 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.
  • 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.

NOTE: Closely related fields are child welfare, applied sociology, social and/or human services, clinical psychology, child development, criminal justice, counseling, human development and family relations, human service, marriage and family therapy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates who possess experience in:
  • Strategic planning
  • Collaborating with stakeholders
  • Large-scale organizational change efforts
  • Formulating program goals and objectives
  • Organizational assessment and evaluation
  • Data analysis and database management
  • Working in a social and human services agency

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.