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Placement Specialist

HUMAN SERVICE PRGM PLN ADMINISTRATOR

Recruitment #26-001532-0001

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Introduction



 
When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults.
 
We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind. 

GRADE

ASTD17

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Department of Human Services
Social Services Administrator
Placement Services Unit
25 South Charles Street
Baltimore, MD. 21201

Main Purpose of Job

The main purpose of the Placement Specialist is to provide technical assistance, training, guidance, and support to the Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS), providers, and sister agencies for the placement of children in need of or who are currently receiving placement and permanency services. Working knowledge of COMAR foster care regulations and the DHS/SSA placement process are also required. This position requires the ability to assess the needs of children and provide placement assistance that ensures the most appropriate, least restrictive placements for children. Additionally, this position will assist in building the capacity and availability of placement resources to meet the needs of children in foster care. This position will vet and conduct initial site visits of recommended placement providers to assess the appropriateness of placement. DHS/SSA is responsible for ensuring that placement policies and procedures are in place requiring best practices to be implemented in all placement efforts. 

POSITION DUTIES

ALL PLACEMENTS
  • Provides primary weekend and after-hours consultation and guidance to LDSS and providers to ensure placement stability and resolve emergent barriers. 
  • Provide technical assistance, training, consultation, guidance, and support to LDSS staff, private placement providers, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and families and federal partners. 
  • Develop knowledge of licensed and contracted Maryland provider profiles, including the services provided and types of clients served. 
SPECIALIZED PLACEMENTS
  • Coordinate placement efforts and provide technical assistance, training, consultation, guidance, and support to the LDSS staff regarding placements of special youth populations such as Medically Fragile, Developmentally/Intellectually Disabled, and Chronic Mental Health/Behavioral Challenges. 
  • Research and conduct initial onsite monitoring visits with new potential providers to ensure appropriateness and effectiveness of the program. 
OUT-OF-STATE PLACEMENT
  • Review Out-of-State (OOS) Packets submitted by the LDSS for potential placements for completion, appropriateness, and approval.
REPORTING AND MONITORING
  • Submit weekly placement reports to supervisor and DHS/SSA leadership. 
  • Provide statistics for Annual OOS report.
  • Gather statistical data on a quarterly basis regarding specialized populations from CJAMS, LDSS's, and providers. 
  • Maintain data and statistical information related to placement resource issues, placements barriers for service reviews, annual reports and other inquiries from DHS/SSA leadership, The Children’s Cabinet, and The Children’s Bureau, etc. 
ADMINISTRATIVE
  • Assist in scheduling and coordinating the Provider Advisory Council meeting including establishing the agenda, location, invitation to attendees and other meeting logistics. 
  • Represent DHS at interagency committees, meetings, council meetings, and workgroups related to placement services and interagency initiatives as directed. 
  • Participate in Residential Treatment Center monthly in-person meetings/virtual meetings and/or phone conference calls with the RTC Coalition, and other state partners, regarding regular updates on residential providers and coordination of services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

Education:    A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Five years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional professional or technical experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute graduate level education at an accredited college or university in a human services related field at the rate of 30 credit hours per year for up to two years of the required experience.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Two years of experience in a Child Welfare or Adult Services Program.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Sociology, or a similar closely-related major.
  • Two years of the required experience using a child welfare management system of record, such as Child, Juvenile, and Adult Management System (CJAMs).
  • One year of experience placing youth in out-of-home care (i.e., foster care, kinship care, and independent living).
  • One year of experience working with foster care providers, local departments of social services, and/or other state agencies.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

NOT APPLICABLE.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year. 

If you are in State service and are a promotional candidate, your salary will be determined in accordance with State of Maryland guidelines.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire.  The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

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

BENEFITS

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

• Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date). 
• Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
• Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.
• Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework. 

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplement questionnaire to: Attention: Cynthia McMillian, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 25 S. Charles Street, Room 1116-F, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Or email cynthia.mcmillian@maryland.gov.; voice 410-767-7199.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

Do not submit unsolicited documentation. Resumes should not be viewed for a completed state application. 

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.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encouraged them to apply. 


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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