Introduction

Are you a current DCF employee and looking to grow within your career in state service? If so, we invite you to explore this internal opportunity!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking to internally fill a Program Director position within the
Transitional Supports and Services Division in the role of Children and Families Program Director 1. In this position, you will lead a team committed to helping youth
navigate life's challenges and develop into thriving adults.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- LOCATION: DCF Central Office (Hartford, CT) with expectations of statewide travel
- SHIFT: Full-time | first shift
- SCHEDULE: 8:00AM – 5:00PM, Monday through Friday
- NOTE: This is a hybrid position where scheduling flexibility is required to meet agency needs and this position may require occasional out-of-state travel.
BENEFITS AND BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
As a current state employee, you will continue to receive benefits, including:
- State Employee Retirement System;
- A variety of medical and dental plans;
- Sick and personal leave;
- The State of CT is an eligible Public Services Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.
Visit the State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn more!
In addition, the State puts an emphasis on:
- Providing limitless opportunities;
- Hiring for diverse and fresh perspectives;
- Performing meaningful work and;
- Encouraging a healthy work/life balance!
Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.
YOUR ROLE
At 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.
The Program Director is responsible for overseeing policy and practice
enhancements related to adolescents in care. The selected candidate will manage
youth vocational supports/workforce competitiveness, independent living,
life-skill and prevention based services and re-entry services. Overseeing Central
Office coordination of federal reporting into the National Youth in Transition
Database (NYTD) and serving as the division liaison with post-secondary
education is vital.
Additional responsibilities will include:
• Leading multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Writing policy revisions and coordinating statewide practice improvement.
• Management of private provider contracts.
• Collaboration with the fiscal/contracts team to support regional staff needs.
• Researching (seeking out) and writing grants.
The ideal candidate will possess:
• Previous experience supervising staff.
• Experience working in a regional office.
More details about this role can be found in the class specification.
ABOUT US
DCF has a mission to work together with families and communities so that children can grow up healthy, safe, smart, and strong. Region 2 serves children and families in the territories of New Haven and the surrounding areas. We are very proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day 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.
START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.
Selection Plan
In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
NEW: Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS RECRUITMENT:
- Please include any related endorsements and/or certification and licensure credential details within your application.
- Be sure to select all locations you are interested in and commutable to.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- NEW: Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Samantha Rivera at Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Children and Families 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
- Experience working in Provider Information Exchange (PIE)
and other reporting platforms to review, collect and analyze data;
- Experiencing working collaboratively on quality improvement
initiatives/projects that improve outcomes for adolescent and young adults;
- Experience with grants and contract management;
- Experience with budget and spending analysis. Identify, prepare and monitor
grant and funding opportunities;
- Experience in the Microsoft Suite (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive.)
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.