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Director Out of Home Care

PROGRAM MANAGER III

Recruitment #24-005478-0046

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Introduction


 
When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults.
 
We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind. 

This is a Management Services position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.
 

GRADE

21

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Department of Human Services
Social Services Administration
25 S. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

This position and how it related to the mission of the agency. This senior leadership position oversees the administration and management of Maryland's Out-of-Home Care programs, including foster care, kinship care, and Older Youth Services. The Director provides strategic direction to ensure timely and effective placements for children, supporting their well-being while in care.
Leading a team of managers, the Director ensures the implementation of policies, regulations, and operational standards for Out-of-Home services. Key responsibilities include overseeing public resource home development, managing multiple service contracts, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. The role also involves monitoring program performance, analyzing data from CJAMS, and preparing state-level budgets for relevant programs, including adoption and Chafee funds.
The Director coordinates statewide efforts with the 24 local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) and other stakeholders to ensure program effectiveness and compliance. This role represents the Out-of-Home Care Unit within the Department of Human Services (DHS), participating in workgroups, boards, and community activities to promote safety and independence for Maryland's vulnerable children and families.

POSITION DUTIES

Permanency

  • Develop, revise, plan and monitor statewide policy directives and manuals to be implemented by all 24 Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) to maintain compliance with federal performance improvement plans. 
  • Implement policies through facilitating statewide trainings and technical assistance for all 24 LDSS. 
  • Collect and analyze data and monitor practices outlined in the policy and manuals to measure outcomes of the program goals, standards, best practices to meet established goals and outcomes.
  •  Analyze prospective legislation that impacts Out-of-Home programs with an emphasis on older youth (14-21years old) along with other state services and agencies that interact with the program. 
  • Prepare detailed commentary regarding proposed legislation and attendance at legislative hearings for relevant proposed legislation that impact all Out-of-Home and Adoption and Guardianship Assistance Programs and the Child Welfare client population services. 
  • Interpret federal legislation and implement in the State regulations, policy, and practice.
  • Manage and monitor all Older Youth Services statewide, including life skills classes, life skills assessments, Youth Advisory Boards, housing initiatives. .
Adoption Search, Contact Reunion
  • Supervise the management and implementation of Adoption Search, Contact and Reunion Services statewide.
  • Develop a statewide manual for Adoption Search, Contact and Reunion Services.
Foster Youth Savings Programs
  • Supervise the management and implementation of Foster Youth Savings funds and conservation accounts for eligible youth.
Technical Assistance and Consultation
  • Provide consultation and technical assistance to internal and external customers, including other SSA and DHS offices, Local Departments of Social Services, Courts, General Assembly, media, public/private businesses and stakeholders at the City, County, State, and Federal government levels.
Fiscal Responsibilities
  • Prepare and monitor the Adoptions Budget.
  • Prepare and monitor the Chafee Independent Living Budget.
  • Monitor contracts: Hope Forward Inc, Trans- Union Credit Reporting Agency, Equifax Credit Reporting Agency, Experian Credit Reporting Agency, University of Maryland CANS, and AIRS/Empire Homes Housing Demonstration Project.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Public Administration, Human Services, or a related field.
Experience: Five years of experience in the administration of a human services program or conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices, and organizations. Two years of supervisory/management experience at the local or state level.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have.

  • Two years of experience managing or coordinating child welfare programs focused on permanency planning, adoption, older youth, or foster care.
  • Two years of experience providing technical assistance and training to human services staff on child welfare policies and best practices, especially regarding permanency and older youth services.
  • Two years of experience preparing and managing budgets for state-level human services programs, particularly in out-of-home placement programs.

    SELECTION PROCESS

    Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. It is important that you report all related education and experience that is relevant to this recruitment qualifications. We will not consider information submitted after this date.  Successful candidates will be placed on the employment (eligible) list. The resulting list may be used for future vacancies with this agency.

    BENEFITS

    As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

    • Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
    • Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
    • Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.  
    • Parental Leave - up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
    • Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holidays per year.  
    • Pension - State employees earn credit towards a retirement pension.

    FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

    The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to, Department of Human Services, Employment Services, Attention: Stacey Nelson, 25 South Charles St, Room 1116-L, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

    If you have any questions concerning the recruitment process for this position, please email Stacey Nelson at stacey.nelson1@maryland.gov; include the job title and recruitment # in the subject line.

    If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.

    TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.

    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. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.



    Click on a link below to apply for this position:

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    Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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