STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Children and Families Program Supervisor

Hybrid

Recruitment #230519-6584PR-001

Introduction


Are you interested in managing a team dedicated to assessing the quality of our casework through the federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process?  These reviews provide an in-depth evaluation of how well we serve Connecticut children and families through case record review and case-related interviews, and is the basis for determining state compliance with federal child welfare requirements.  If so, we invite you to discover this outstanding opportunity to join our team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking two (2) full-time (40 hour) Child and Family Program Supervisors to join the Data Reporting and Evaluation Unit in our Central Office Bureau of Strategic Planning.

What's In It For You:
  • To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
  • Comprehensive Benefits including Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees.
The Position:
These are exciting opportunities to form two new units of Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) reviewers that will conduct ongoing reviews that meet federal requirements for CQI and State-led CFSR reviews.  Initially the reviews will be conducted for training and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) purposes.  Later, these reviews will provide the basis for assessment by the federal Children's Bureau to determine our state's performance during the official Round 4 review period between 10/1/24 and 3/31/25.  Following the end of that period, we will continue ongoing reviews to fulfill Program Improvement Plan (PIP) evaluation, and once we successfully exit from the PIP, for ongoing CQI purposes again.  These positions will provide supervision for their staff, as well as providing secondary oversight of the review process itself to ensure fidelity to the process and high-quality review results.  Further, we plan for these positions to oversee 1 - 2 teams of external reviewer volunteers drawn from stakeholder groups such as court/legal staff, foster parents, former foster youth, or other contracted service provider staff.  This is an important new way we want to include stakeholders in the process, adding their voice and experience for a much richer result!

Schedule:
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • First (1st) shift
  • Monday - Friday
  • Hartford, CT
We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career and make an impaCT!

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. 

Application Process:

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

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.

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut.

Selection Process:

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization.

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.

During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.

Contact Information:

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Christopher Lavallee at Christopher.Lavallee@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Children and Families this class is accountable for managing administrative child welfare/protective services programs.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Manages a component of a program within the agency including oversight of the development and evaluation of specific clinical or behavioral programs; ensures specialized services/programs are in compliance with federal, state and department mandates; identifies and develops new programs and funding sources; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work of staff; provides training and assistance to staff and/or outside providers; conducts performance evaluations; determines priorities and plans office work; establishes and maintains office procedures; develops or makes recommendations on development of policies and standards; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies, outside officials and community regarding policies and procedures, available services and coordination of resources; prepares reports and correspondence; consults with staff on difficult cases; oversees maintenance of records; collects and analyzes program data; may interact with clients and caretakers; may interact or hear cases concerning retention of a child in community vs. institutionalization; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge and understanding of case work principles, methods, and techniques; considerable knowledge of factors which influence attitudes and behavior of individuals and families; considerable knowledge of community resources and available services; knowledge of legal basis for departmental programs and requirements; knowledge of child development; knowledge of mental health and behavioral challenges facing children and youth; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in the field of child welfare, children's protective services, foster services, adoption or social and human services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity over professional staff responsible for planning, developing or implementing administrative or program services in child welfare, children's protective services, children's mental health or juvenile justice.  

NOTE: For State employees, this is interpreted at the level of Social Work Supervisor.

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 or other advanced degree in behavioral science, public administration, education, social work or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience. 

3. For State Employees, two (2) years as a Children Services Consultant may be substituted for the General and Special 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 as a state/federal team Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) reviewer and/or quality assurance team member
  • Experience in conducting Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and/or Quality Assurance (QA) reviews, including Administrative Case Review (ACR)

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.