State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Department of Children and Families, Foster Care Services Division this class is accountable for directing the planning and development of activities designed to meet service needs of its client population.

• Directs staff and operations of division;
• Coordinates, plans and manages division activities; 
• Formulates program goals and objectives;
• Develops or assists in development of related policy;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Prepares or assists in preparation of division budget; 
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact on program activities; 
• Oversees department strategic planning process related to foster care recruitment and retention; 
• Establishes statewide practice and performance standards related to foster care recruitment, retention and licensing; 
• Develops and implements public relations activity promoting foster care;
• Initiates and provides program oversight of all contracted services pertaining to foster care services;
• Evaluates contracted foster care services including provision of foster family care and foster parent support or recruitment services; 
• Prepares legislative testimony regarding foster care; 
• Assists in preparation of regulations pertaining to foster care;
• Lead the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices; 
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; 
  • principles and practices of state and regional planning in foster care services programs; 
  • methods of program monitoring and evaluation; 
  • governmental legislative processes including governmental budgeting, merit system requirements and collective bargaining; 
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills.

Ten (10) years of professional experience in a public or non-profit human services organization with statewide operations or multi-faceted programs.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity with responsibility for at least two (2) of the following functions: child welfare administration, child protective services, regional foster care services or planning and program evaluation. 

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Children and Families Program Director.

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  
• A Master's degree in social work (administration) or public administration may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.