Child Safety Program Manager

Introduction

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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.�\r
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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.�\r
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Are you ready to be a driving force in shaping policies and practices that support and protect families, children, and vulnerable adults?� The Social Services Administration (SSA) is on a dynamic mission to lead, support, and empower local Departments of Social Services in the daily work with families, children, and adults. We are seeking an enthusiastic and visionary leader to take on the pivotal role of�Program Manager, Child Safety Program Manager.\r
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Join us in making a difference Apply today and be a catalyst for positive change�\r
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GRADE

20\r
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LOCATION OF POSITION

Department of Human Services�\r
Social Services Administration\r
311 W. Saratoga Street�\r
Baltimore, MD 21201\r

Main Purpose of Job

At SSA, we passionately believe that every child deserves to thrive in safe and nurturing homes. Families are the cornerstone of caring for the well-being of children, and vulnerable adults deserve to be safe and have the ability to age in place when able. We recognize that community engagement is paramount for ensuring the safety of children and providing essential support to families. Our commitment is measured in outcomes, and we aim for effectiveness in every aspect of human services.\r
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This position serves as the manager for Child Protective Services (CPS) which includes\r
oversight of the Child Maltreatment and Fatality Review Process, Human Trafficking,\r
Investigative and Alternative Response, and CPS Screening. The purpose of this position is\r
to supervise a team of program specialist, analysts and administrators who are charged with\r
providing support for best practices related to existing policy, regulations and statutes and\r
instituting changes in policy, regulations, operational standards, and service delivery for\r
Child Protective Service programs. This position is also responsible for monitoring the\r
Screening, CPS and Alternative Response Programs; multiple services contracts; preparing\r
the CPS and CAPTA State level budgets, assisting in maintaining compliance with Federal\r
and State regulations and for monitoring, analyzing, further developing and collecting data\r
from the DHS child welfare state-wide case record system.�\r
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This is a Management Service position that serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.\r

POSITION DUTIES

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Serve as the visionary leader and strategic architect of SSA's strengthened and integrated approach to child protective services and alternative response.�\r
Lead SSA staff and stakeholders in the refinement and strengthening of SSA's current approach to child protective services.�\r
Collaborate to develop an approach for conceptualizing, describing, and measuring safety and well-being, and refine existing strategies and practices in accordance with this framework.�\r
Ensure quality of practice through planning, program development, building partnerships and advocacy. Interpret federal legislation and implement in State regulations, policy, and practice.�\r
Prepare and monitor the CPS Budget.\r
Review and track all service funding requests, make recommendations regarding approval/denial and prepare response.�\r
Monitor CAPTA Funds utilization and determine allocations to the 24 LDSS.\r
Establish and implement written standard operating procedures which guide the CPS unit functions of the Administration.�\r
Analyze the efficacy of the Child Maltreatment Fatality Review Process to determine prevention strategies (systems-level), upstream interventions (case- level) and enhancements to practice and policy. Plan, coordinate, supervise and evaluate the work of the CPS unit including staff assigned to the unit.�\r
Develop new strategic public-private partnerships with national experts in the area of�CPS policy.�\r
Lead statewide taskforce meetings, committee meetings, workgroups, and participate on various boards related to CPS investigative and alternative response concerns.\r
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Public Administration, or a related field.\r
Experience: Six years of experience; one year of professional experience in social services, a public or private agency, or an institution-related setting; three years of the required experience working in Child Protective Services, and two years must have been in an administrative, supervisory, or consultative capacity.\r
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Notes:�Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Sociology, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university for two years of the required experience.\r

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess: \r
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Two years of experience in child welfare policies, procedures, and regulations.\r
Two years of experience using data to monitor outcomes in a Human Service-related field, writing reports, and preparing data presentations.\r
Two years of experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and Google Suite (Drive, Email, Docs, Sheets, Smartsheet).\r
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SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.� 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 or other state agencies.\r

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

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplement questionnaire to: Attention: Kendra Young, Department of Human Services, Recruitment Services Unit, 311 W. Saratoga Street, Room 145 Baltimore, Maryland 21201.�\r
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All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application.�\r
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If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If unable to upload, please email requested information only to Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.�\r
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If you have any questions concerning this recruitment process for this position, please contact �\r
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TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.\r
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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 or �\r
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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.\r