SOCIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR III

This is a Position Specific Recruitment for the Department of Human Services, Social Services Administration.

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Department of Human Services

Social Services Administration

311 W. Saratoga Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

This position supports the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) development, implementation, process, and utilization evidence-driven decision-making within the Department of Human Services, Social Services Administration (SSA), Local Department of Social Services (LDSSs). The incumbent in this position designs technical assistance strategies for child welfare programs based on the review and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data; participates in meetings with other internal and external stakeholders; makes formulated recommendations to inform existing and innovative statewide child welfare practice and policies decisions; supervises, reviews, and monitors local departments for program effectiveness and compliance with Federal and State regulations; and ensures that Maryland's child welfare continuum meets the safety, permanency and well-being needs of children and youth.

This position analyzes qualitative and quantitative data to develop technical assistance strategies, composes policies and practice recommendations to support and provides advice in the planning and operation components of Maryland's child welfare system; analyzes narrative and statistical reports to monitor the statewide CQI of child welfare programs to meet Federal measures at State and local levels; develops technical assistance strategies for CQI of child welfare outcomes; evaluates compliance with Federal and State regulations and reports the findings to the local department administrators and SSA Leadership Team; writes corrective action plans to address deficiencies identified; supervises teams that conduct on-site reviews at the 24 LDSS's; uses Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) to conduct case level reviews and aggregate data analysis; makes recommendations to coordinate planning and delivery of training and technical assistance activities to enhance child welfare service State and Local outcomes; partners with key internal and external stakeholders on the implementation of SSA's CQI process; coordinates instructional design and curriculum development to support the needs of child welfare workforce to align with recommendations for data and program analysis or new practices implementation; assists in partnering with SSA Research and Evaluation and Workforce Development staff, TA partners, and Child Welfare Training Academy to ensure data literacy and ability to carry out evidence-driven decision-making by LDSS staff and central office leadership to drive outcomes improvement; and writes reports to summarize training and technical assistance implementation interventions and program outcomes. Assists in the preparation, review and monitoring of program budgets; provides technical assistance to LDSS's and private child welfare agencies about program updates and new policies and procedures that impact child welfare services; consults with Children's Bureau on Federal regulations and policies that impact Maryland's child welfare system; facilitates discussions with local department staff on corrective action plans to improve the delivery of child welfare services; provides technical assistance on data integrity and quality to align with best practice policies and practice standards; provides consultation to related State agencies, i.e. the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) on matters that relates to child welfare services; consults with local departmental and private agency staff about casework practices that impact children and their families in Maryland; and performs other duties as assigned.

Please read the job announcement in its entirety before applying for this recruitment. Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire.

Education: Possession of a master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience: Seven (7) years of professional experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency or institution, four (4) years of which must have been in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity.

Notes:

1. These requirements are established by the Social Service Administration by authority provided in Human Services §4-204 of the Annotated Code of Maryland and the Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits does not have authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Social Work classifications or Social Work specialty codes in the Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

Applicants must meet the selective qualification to be considered.  Include clear and specific information on your application regarding the qualification.

Three years of required minimum qualification experience must have been working in a federal, State, or local human services agency providing data analysis, program evaluation or program management related to the child welfare population.

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

The ideal candidate will possess the following:  

1. Three years of experience conducting focus groups or interviews with families or social work professionals.  

2. Three years of experience implementing continuous quality improvement processes in a human services environment.  

3. Two years of experience utilizing the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System, qualitative and quantitative data analysis and the Maryland Children Electronic Social Service Information Exchange.  

4. Knowledge of Federal and/or State CQI and program improvement frameworks.  

5. Experience with prioritizing and multi-tasking effectively.  

6. Experience with time management, priority setting and problem-solving skills.

1. Candidates filling positions in this classification must be licensed by the Board of Social Work Examiners.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties are required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

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 employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position.  It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Please report all experience and education that is related to this position. 

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

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred.  If the online application process is not available, please send your paper application and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) to:

Department of Human Services  

Examination Services Unit

Attention: LaToura Jones

311 W. Saratoga Street, First Floor

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Or, fax requested information to: 410-333-0882; latoura.jones@maryland.gov; Voice 410-767-8844, toll-free: 1-800-332-6347.

Do not submit unsolicited documentation. The paper application must be received by 5 PM on the closing date for the recruitment. 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay, 1-800-925-4434. 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. 

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