Child Welfare Program Administrator I (#MDDI11)
$67,818.00 Yearly Min / $84,773.00 Yearly Mid / $101,728.00 Yearly Max

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Summary Statement

Employees in this class administer child welfare programs that ensure the safety, well-being, and permanency of children and youth, serving some of the State’s most vulnerable populations. Primary work includes providing ongoing oversight and strategic management of one or more child welfare programs. Employees are responsible for program planning, development, evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts to ensure effective service delivery and positive outcomes. Child welfare programs administered include Intake and Investigation, Treatment, Foster Care, Permanency and Adoption, and Independent Living.

Nature and Scope

Employees are assigned to the Division of Family Services and perform work at the strategic management level including administering at least one specific child welfare program area at the State level by planning, coordinating, evaluating, and supervising programs and related operations and services delivered by agency staff and contracted providers. A significant aspect of work includes reviewing data, analyses, and recommendations to identify needs, issues, and challenges, and implementing corrective actions and continuous improvements to service delivery, performance, and compliance with agency, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, professional mandates, and best practices. Program results directly impact the safety, well-being, and permanency of children and youth statewide. Employees provide technical assistance, policy interpretation, and consultation on program areas to administration, leadership, and stakeholders on the most complex or severe child welfare matters.

Child Welfare Program Administrators report to and receive general direction and guidance in terms of broad goals and objectives from the Child Welfare Program Administrator II or higher. The employee establishes the methods for achieving goals and objectives and administers one or more statewide child welfare program(s). Employees administer programs that ensure a continuum of services for children and their families in alignment with the division’s mission, initiatives, and strategic priorities. Employees also direct, coordinate, and/or participate on committees and task forces studying issues pertaining to the program area(s).

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, employees can complete job duties of a similar kind not specifically listed here.

Provides ongoing oversight and strategic management of one or more child welfare programs by planning, coordinating, evaluating, and supervising programs and related operations and services delivered by agency staff and contracted providers.

Establishes and monitors short- and long-term goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes for assigned programs, ensuring alignment with the division’s mission, initiatives, and strategic priorities.

Develops, recommends, and implements new or revised services, policies, procedures, reporting methods, and standards within the specified program area based on comprehensive research, evaluation, and best practices.

Supervises two or more merit full-time positions, which may also include casual/seasonal and contractual staff. The elements of supervision include performing the following on a regular and continuing basis: planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, disciplining, and recommending hire, termination, and promotion.

Monitors contractual services, promotes collaboration between provider agencies and division staff to ensure cohesive, consistent operations, and partners with contractors to enhance service delivery and resolve issues.

Reviews data, analyses, and recommendations to identify needs, issues, and challenges, and implements corrective actions and continuous improvements to service delivery, performance, and compliance with agency, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, professional mandates, and best practices.

Serves as a subject matter expert, providing guidance, consultation, and recommendations to staff, management, state and private agencies, and stakeholders on the most complex or severe child welfare challenges, including sensitive or high-risk situations, emerging or unfamiliar service needs, and issues requiring the application of complex state, federal, and professional mandates, as well as best practices.

Develops and reviews Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and grant applications, evaluates vendor submissions, and provides recommendations to the Division Director; participates in contract negotiations and oversees the implementation of approved contracts and agreements.

Monitors budget allocations and expenditures for child welfare program activities and contracted providers and develops budget projections and new budget requests.

Reviews active cases in which a child death or serious injury has occurred; participates on multi-disciplinary panels to review findings and develop recommendations for system change.

Ensures the State’s case management information systems and reporting tools accurately capture all required data to meet federal program and reporting standards and oversees the preparation and submission of both internal and mandatory federal reports.

Convenes and chairs multidisciplinary workgroups and committees to evaluate program efficacy, ensure continuous improvement, collaborate with stakeholders, and inform policy and procedure development.

Represents the unit, division, or department at national, state, and private sector meetings, conferences, workshops, committees, and task forces.

Reviews new or revised state, local, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and proposed legislation; determines impacts, implements changes, and provides related training/dissemination for assigned child welfare program(s).

Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

Knowledge of the mission, goals, and objectives of the division and department.
Knowledge of developing short- and long-range strategic plans.
Skill in managing child welfare programs and related operations and services.
Skill in developing, recommending, and implementing new or revised programs, policies, and procedures.
Skill in supervising staff.
Skill in analyzing and evaluating operations and performance to make recommendations on improvements.
Skill in managing budgets, grants, and/or contracts.
Skill in providing technical guidance, consultation, and recommendations, requiring subject matter expertise in child welfare programs and service delivery.
Skill in monitoring and ensuring compliance of program operations with the division’s mission, and state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
Ability to recognize and integrate diverse or conflicting priorities.
Ability to apply the latest methodologies, trends, tools, and best practices to enhance child welfare service delivery.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Child Welfare Program Administrator I

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Behavioral or Social Science or related field.
Two years’ experience in health or human services program management such as planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating health or human services programs to ensure goals and objectives are met.
Four years’ experience in health or human services work such as applying theories, principles, laws and practices of health or human services programs and services that assist with and improve life for individuals, families, or communities such as financial support, employment, unemployment, housing, health care, disease prevention, substance abuse, child protective services, physical/mental health treatment and prevention or rehabilitation.
One year of experience in contract management and control such as ensuring compliance with terms of contracts; negotiating changes to existing contracts; monitoring expenditures.
Six months’ experience in developing policies or procedures.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in staff supervision which may include performing as a lead worker overseeing the work of others.