PROGRAM MANAGER I

This is a Management Service position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

19

Department of Human Services

Social Services Administration

311 W. Saratoga Street

Baltimore MD 21201-3500

The Family Centered Practice (FCP) Manager serves as a founding leader for the Social Services Administration (SSA) emerging and integrated practice model, invigorating existing elements of FCP while developing and incorporating trauma- responsive and strength based approaches as well as family and youth engagement into SSA's practice model within the Department of Human Services (DHS). This position completes tasks associated with the day-to-day project management, data analysis, research, and legislative initiatives; supervises and assigns work to a Policy Analyst assigned to the Family Centered Practice Unit; provides consultation and technical assistance to local departmental staff, governmental or private agencies; monitors local department's for program effectiveness and compliance with State and Federal regulations; represents the administration at meetings with various public and private child welfare stakeholders related to child welfare concerns; develops written materials and verbal presentations for allied State agencies and child welfare partners to explain the administration's vision and mission; and assists with tasks as designated by the executive staff.

Leads the development and implementation of an operationalized statewide integrated family centered, strength based, trauma responsive and youth guided practice model that includes the seamless integration of SSA's vision, values, and expectations related to how the integrated practice model influences FCP's existing core strategies, including family involvement meetings, community partnerships, Kinship Navigation Program and recruitment and retention support for placement resources; leads the strengthening and enhancement of family involvement meetings as a key strategy in ensuring family and youth voice and choice in guiding case planning and key decision making; leads the development and implementation of strategies aimed at engaging birth families and caregivers as partners in SSA strategic planning efforts, policy development, decision making efforts, Continuous Quality Improvement practices, and in identifying and developing an effective service array; oversees the implementation of an enhanced Kinship Navigation Program that meets federal requirements; maintains expertise in child welfare best practices, leveraging external resources to inform the development of cutting-edge approach; develops, edits and revises policies and procedures related to the Integrated Practice Model in collaboration with programs under the Office Systems Improvement, Child Protective Services and Family Preservation, Placement and Permanency Units, Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS's), and other stakeholders; and interfaces with program staff from other DHS administrations (i.e. Family Investment, Communications & Human Resource Development and Training) and directors from other SSA programs to provide updates on family centered practice and facilitate review of policies and procedures. Prepares detailed analysis of proposed child welfare legislation that includes letters of support, suggested amendments, and formal testimonies; attends legislative committee hearings for relevant proposed legislation that impacts on children and families receiving child welfare services; participates in discussions with legislators about the administration's rationale for the proposed legislation; provides assistance to concerned citizens of Maryland by responding to general inquiries and allegations about the delivery of services by staff in Child Welfare Programs; prepares responses in a timely manner on behalf of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, DHS Secretary, SSA Executive Director, and the Deputy Executive Director for Programs; provides technical assistance to State agencies [i.e. Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Citizen Review Board for Children, and Governor's Office on Children] on matters that relate to the delivery of child welfare services in alignment with the integrated practice model; provides training to administrators and supervisors of LDSS's and other child welfare professionals on changes based on Federal and State regulations; secures training sites, negotiates training packages with private vendors; develops training format and content, and serves as trainer and facilitator for workshops, seminars, forums, retreats, roundtables and conferences; monitors LDSS's for compliance with Federal and State regulations; evaluates for program effectiveness and compliance with Federal and State regulations; communicates findings to local department administrators; and performs other related duties as assigned.

Education: Possession of Master's degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience: Eight years of experience in a public or private child welfare agency or in a Federal, State or Local Human Services agency. Four years of the required experience must have involved developing, implementing, and managing a Child Welfare Program. Two years of this experience must have been in the supervision of other employees.

Strong preference will be given to applicants that possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding the qualifications.

1. Three years of experience in developing, implementing, and monitoring policies.

2. Three years of experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.

3. Experience in engaging internal, external, formal, and informal stakeholders in program development.

4. Strong written, priority setting and oral communication skills.

Please read the job announcement in its entirety before applying for this recruitment. Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. 

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire. 

This recruitment does not require any additional materials to be uploaded. Your qualifications will be assessed based on the information included on your submitted application.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

If you have any questions concerning the recruitment process for this position, please call 410-767-7414.

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to: Jocelyn Maschal, Department of Human Services, HR Office, Room 141, 311 W. Saratoga Street, Baltimore MD 21201-3500 

TTY  Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.