Child Welfare Program Administrator I

Summary Statement This Child Welfare Administrator I (formerly Program Manager) is for the Permanency Program Manager position that is part of the DFS Program Team and is responsible for the policy and programming for Adoption and Permanency planning for the division. The position oversees three staff responsible for managing the adoption and guardianship assistance program, managing contracts for adoption preparation and post adoption support services as well as overseeing the Permanency Planning Committee responsible for permanency goal and resource recommendations. The Program Manager is also responsible for ensuring Delaware’s compliance with federal funding program requirements and reporting annually on adoption efforts and services. Preferred Qualification Applicants who do not possess the preferred qualification will still be eligible to compete for this position if job requirements are met. Knowledge and/or experience in the adoption process, including oversight of federal funding for adoption services and ensuring compliance with applicable legal requirements. Essential Functions 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 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 multidisciplinary 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 and dissemination for assigned child welfare program(s). Performs other related duties as required. Job Requirements Possession of a Bachelor's 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. Benefits To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package, visit The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Maryland