Child Welfare Equity Practice Consultant

Great Lakes Behavioral Research Institute/Diversified Care Management•Pittsburgh, PA

3d•$63,000 - $68,000

About The Position

The Child Welfare Equity Practice Consultant is a senior-level practice advisor within the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF). This position provides high-level consultation on child welfare practices through a strong equity lens, helping ensure that services are trauma-informed, inclusive, and culturally responsive for children, youth, and families involved in the child welfare system. This position plays a key role in supporting and implementing the equity strategies developed by the Department of Human Services’ Office of Equity and Engagement (OEE). The consultant works to embed OEE’s goals, tools, and direction into OCYF’s policies, practices, and casework by offering practice-level insights and recommendations to OCYF leadership. The consultant does not lead independent equity initiatives but instead functions as a bridge—ensuring that OEE’s strategic priorities are integrated into everyday decision-making and service delivery across OCYF.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge of child welfare practice, including safety assessment, risk management, permanency planning, and family engagement.
Deep understanding of equity, disproportionality, and systemic bias in child welfare systems, including impacts on Black families, LGBTQIA+ youth, immigrant and refugee families, and other historically underserved populations.
Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive practice models.
Familiarity with organizational change principles and applying equity strategies within large public-sector systems.
Working knowledge of quality assurance, case review, and continuous improvement frameworks in child welfare.
Understanding of data-informed practice, including interpreting dashboards, trends, and disparities in service delivery and outcomes.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
Skill in facilitating difficult conversations related to bias, equity, and accountability with professionalism and credibility.
Effective training and technical assistance skills, including coaching and reinforcing practice change over time.
Knowledge of community engagement and cross-system collaboration within human services environments.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, DHS data dashboards, SharePoint, and virtual meeting platforms (e.g. Zoom, Teams). Familiarity with internal analytics tools and case management systems is preferred.
Master’s degree in social work, public administration, public policy, psychology, sociology, education, or a closely related field
At least 3 years of professional experience in child welfare, human services, or a related public-sector or community-based setting, including:
Direct practice or supervision experience
Demonstrated experience applying an equity lens to policy, practice, or systems-level work
Bachelor’s degree in a related field
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in child welfare or human services, including significant experience in equity-focused practice improvement, consultation, or systems change.
Act 33, 34 and FBI clearances.
Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with internal analytics tools and case management systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

Equity-Centered Case Consultation & Practice Guidance
Provide high-level consultation to OCYF staff and leadership on complex or sensitive cases involving disproportionality, cultural responsiveness, and trauma.
Promote consistent, inclusive, and equitable decision-making aligned with OEE’s guidance and DHS equity goals.
Support staff in applying OEE-endorsed tools and frameworks in work with LGBTQIA+ youth, immigrant and refugee families, and other historically underserved groups.
Alignment with DHS Equity Strategy
Serve as the primary liaison between OCYF and OEE, ensuring OCYF's practices are informed by and accountable to DHS’s broader equity strategy.
Collaborate with OEE to translate strategic priorities into OCYF practice and support implementation through coaching, consultation, and internal coordination.
Share feedback and observations with OEE to inform ongoing policy and strategy development.
Support for Organizational Practice Change
Help identify opportunities within OCYF for applying equity-centered improvements in policy, staffing, and family engagement.
Participate in internal committees and workgroups as a practice advisor, helping align OCYF efforts with department-wide standards and tools.
Assist OCYF leadership in ensuring equity commitments are reflected in quality assurance and case review processes.
Cross-System and Community Collaboration
Support OCYF’s engagement with culturally specific providers, coalitions, and community partners to expand equitable access and relevance of services.
Help integrate OEE-endorsed community engagement practices and feedback loops into OCYF work.
Represent OCYF in collaborative efforts where OEE direction is being operationalized.
Staff Training & Technical Assistance
Deliver technical assistance to OCYF teams to reinforce trauma-informed, inclusive, and culturally responsive practice.
Reinforce and help apply concepts and materials developed by OEE through regular coaching and consultation.
Data & Evaluation
Use DHS data dashboards to identify trends and disparities in service delivery and outcomes within OCYF.
Collaborate with OEE to monitor the effectiveness of equity strategies and implementation efforts.
Prepare summaries or reports for OCYF and OEE leadership to highlight progress, gaps, and practice implications.
Other duties as assigned.