Children and Families Program Director 3

Introduction

Unique Opportunity
Lead the transformation of lives as a Children and Families Program Director 3 at the State of Connecticut's Department of Children and Families (DCF). In our Hartford Area office, you will build outstanding programs and guide a team committed to the well-being of families and children, following our mission of empowerment.

As a Children and Families Program Director 3, you will:

• Coordinate staff and operations: Coordinate the daily functions of the Hartford Area office, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
• Coordinate and formulate program goals: Develop program objectives that align with the Department's policies and strategic direction.
• Evaluate staff: Conduct performance evaluations to ensure staff meet and exceed expectations, encouraging a culture of excellence.
• Develop and monitor budgets: Manage financial resources effectively to support program initiatives and administrative areas.
• Act as a liaison: Build and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations that impact area or program activities, ensuring collaboration and inclusion.

To be considered for this position, candidates should demonstrate:

• Proven leadership experience: Showcase a successful track record in managing teams and coordinating program operations.
• Strong communication skills: Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate with a variety of collaborators.
• Budget management experience: Show expertise in developing and monitoring budgets.
• Critical thinking: Demonstrate the ability to build and implement critical goals and objectives.
• Collaborative approach: Encourage a culture of inclusivity and teamwork both within the office and with external partners.

Why Join Us?
At the State of Connecticut, we offer more than just a job – we provide an environment where your career can thrive. As a part of our team, you will:

• Make a difference: Your work will have a lasting impact on children and families in the community.
• Grow professionally: Benefit from opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• Be part of a dedicated team: Join a group of exceptionally committed professionals who value inclusion, collaboration, and excellence.
• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.

How to Apply
If you are ready to take on this ambitious role and contribute to our mission, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your application through the State of Connecticut's official job portal. Ensure your resume clearly outlines your relevant experience and qualifications for the position.

Selection Plan

• In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
• 
  
  Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page or view our tutorial.
  
  
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 
• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  
• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
• Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 
• Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liz Pinette at elizabeth.pinette@ct.gov.
• This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Children and Families this class is accountable for directing administrative support and/or program services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs staff and operations of the assigned area of responsibility;
• Coordinates, plans and manages program activities; 
• Formulates program goals and objectives; 
• Develops or assists in development of related policy; 
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Develops and monitors budgets for specific program or administrative areas;
• Maintains contact with individuals and organizations within and outside of agency which impact on area or program activities;
• Assists in directing and coordinating allocation of staff and resources to maintain service delivery system or program; 
• Manages systems and/or programs to ensure compliance with federal, state and department mandates; 
• Identifies training and development needs of staff;  
• Speaks before professional and lay groups; 
• Represents Commissioner in community and public relations activities within area as assigned; 
• Prepares and/or analyzes management reports including reports detailing area activities, program operations and client statistics; 
• Evaluates programs and professional social work services provided to children and families;
• Identifies needs of children and families for purposes of determining available community resources; 
• Reviews work of assigned areas for general efficiency and effectiveness with target client populations; 
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; 
• 
  Knowledge of
  
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • standards of practice and administration of programs dealing with children and youth; 
  • impact of cultural issues on service delivery and staff relationships;
• 
  Considerable
  
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the field of child welfare programs, children's protective services, foster services, adoption or social and human services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Four (4) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial or supervisory capacity with responsibility for planning, development, implementation or supervision of administrative or program services in child welfare, children's protective services, children's mental health or juvenile justice.

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College education 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 or other advanced degree in the behavioral sciences, public administration, education, social work or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• For state employees two (2) years as a Children & Families Program Director 1 may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
• For state employees one (1) year as a Children & Families Program Director 2 may be substituted for the General and Special Experience. 

NOTE: Closely related fields are child welfare, applied sociology, social and/or human services, clinical psychology, child development, criminal justice, counseling, human development and family relations, human service, marriage and family therapy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience as an Area Office Director.
• Recent (within the last 2 years), Child Protection experience in an Area Office.
• Prior Intake experience as a Program Supervisor.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.