DFS Foster Care Program Manager

Summary Statement

This position is part of the Foster Care Resource Team and will include oversight of special placements out of state resources foster care recruitment and various contract management of foster care and kinship related services. This position provides overall support to the Foster Care Resource Program. There is an opportunity for out of state travel to review and/or monitor foster care resources.

Selective Requirement

Selective Requirements must be met in addition to the job requirements. Applicants who do not possess the selective requirement will not be qualified:

• As a condition of hire you must possess a valid drivers license (not suspended revoked or cancelled or disqualified from driving). This position requires statewide travel which may include driving at night or through adverse weather conditions.

Essential Functions

Essentialfunctions are fundamental core functions common to all positions in the classseries and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for anyone position in the class specifications are descriptive andnot restrictive employees can complete job duties of a similar kind notspecifically listed here.

• Participates in the administration of one or more child welfare programs by planning coordinating evaluating and overseeing programs and related operations and services delivered by agency staff and contracted providers.

• Monitors daily operations and work of staff to ensure efficiency effectiveness performance and compliance with agency state and federal laws rules regulations professional mandates and best practices.

• Plans organizes and conducts needs assessments of a diverse range of program areas and develops performance metrics reporting systems and record keeping formats.

• Conducts data analysis and comprehensive research including child welfare best practices successful program strategies local child welfare trends and effective services and supports for children and families. Identifies internal trends issues and challenges.

• Plans and drafts new or revised services within a program area based on comprehensive research evaluation and best practices and submits for supervisory review/approval. Recommends corrective action or other improvements.

• Serves as a subject matter expert providing guidance consultation and recommendations to staff management state and private agencies and stakeholders on complex 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 Requests for Proposal (RFPs) evaluates vendor proposals and submits related recommendations to supervisor. Engages in contract negotiation and develops contract/agreements for approved bids.

• Monitors budget allocations and expenditures for child welfare program activities and contracted providers and may participate in budget preparation.

• Tracks analyzes and interprets data and documentation to prepare both internal and mandatory federal reports.

• Reviews monitors and trains staff on new or revised policies procedures and legislation.

• Represents the unit division or department in meetings and on various committees and tasks forces.

• May supervise two or more merit full-time positions casual seasonal and/or 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.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for ChildWelfare Program Manager

Applicants must haveeducation training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of thefollowing areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Behavioral or Social Science or related field.
2. Three 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 orrehabilitation.
3. One year of experience in evaluating case flow priorities and performance and making recommendations for improvements.
4. Coursework training and/or work experience in contract management and control such as ensuring compliance with terms of contracts; negotiating changes to existing contracts.
5. Coursework training and/or work experience in developing policies or procedures.

Additional Posting Information

The State of Delaware recognizes the value oftelework and flexible working schedules. This position is eligible for Telework and Alternative Work Schedules according to the State of Delawares Alternative Work Arrangement Policy. More information will be shared at the time of interview.

Conditions of Hire

Pre-employment Drug Testing: Upon a conditional offer you must undergo pre-employment drug testing as part of the hiring process.

Criminal background check:A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.

All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment. Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system where the State will provide the federal government with each new hires Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our job seeker resources.

Benefits

At the State of Delaware we invest in our people and support them in and outside of the office. Our employees enjoy a total compensation package that far exceeds the value of their base salary. We offer comprehensive benefit plans that will give you peace of mind and security. Below is a list of benefits that are offered to eligible employees:

Health and Well Being

*Health Benefits Dental Insurance Vision Insurance

Just In Case

*Disability Insurance Group Universal Life Insurance

Your Future

*Retirement Benefits Deferred Compensation

Professional Growth

*Training and Development Programs

Work Life Balance

*Paid Leave Paid Holidays Paid Parental Leave Alternative Work Schedules

More Benefits

*Flexible Spending Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits Accident and Critical Illness Insurance

Visit Statewide Benefits for more information!

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment job title and job duties. For education and training list name of educational provider training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the My Applications tab .

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.

Individuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling or by visiting .

If you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support you may call or email .

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out 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.

Required Experience:

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