Deputy Director, Foster Care Review Unit

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

15h

About The Position

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) seeks a dynamic, highly organized, and experienced professional to fill the Foster Care Review Unit (FCRU) Deputy Director position. The selected candidate will direct and supervise staff in providing case review services as required by chapter 197 of the Acts of 1984.
The incumbent will serve as a senior member of the FCRU leadership team, reporting directly to the Director of Foster Care Review and assisting in the oversight and management of the Foster Care Review Case program and Volunteer Services. The Deputy Director of FCR is responsible for decision-making, approvals, and signature requirements in the Director’s absence. The Deputy of FCR directly oversees the daily operations of the FCRU.

Requirements

• Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
• I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
• II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
• IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to work within public child welfare system – knowledgeable of client population and their service needs.
• An understanding, both clinically and legally, of child abuse and neglect.
• Demonstrated knowledge of substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the impact of placement on children.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state statutes that guide the Foster Care Review process.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the permanency planning process, including time frames and the legal procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Proven ability to supervise staff and strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all agency clinical policies, procedures, and regulations are known and practiced appropriately by FCRU staff.
• Provide leadership that ensures all people who come in contact with the Foster Care Review Unit will be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness; that all staff will be professional, respectful, and competent, providing the delivery of high-quality services; that FCRU staff and volunteer case reviewers will reflect the cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of the served community.
• Engage in recruitment, hiring, training, and onboarding of FCR staff.
• Propose recommendations on staffing, need for additional staff, and redistribution of work amongst existing staff.
• Propose training and professional development for FCR staff to ensure understanding of clinical policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Propose recommendations based on DCF case practice trends, highlighting strengths and areas needing improvement.
• Supervise all direct reporting staff and ensure that all other staff are properly supervised.
• Complete evaluations for direct reports and ensure that all staff evaluations are completed timely.
• Ensure that FCR Supervisors utilize expertise and judgment based on best-fit for the case and Case Reviewer availability and prior history with the case.
• Ensure that FCR scheduling completed by FCR Supervisors maximizes attendance and participation of required invitees.
• Ensure all foster care review alerts, memos, determinations, recommendations, and reports are completed by FCR Case Reviewers and reviewed and approved by FCR Supervisors in accordance with required policy and time standards.
• Ensure that volunteer case reviewers are trained and supported.
• Interact with area and regional staff on an ongoing basis to ensure that there is follow-up on all cases flagged by the unit.
• Participate in the Department’s continuous Quality Improvement Program.
• Participate in meetings and activities with executive and senior leadership in the Director’s absence.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed