Director of Foster Care

Together for Youth • Syracuse, NY

4d • $88,000 - $88,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Foster Care provides overall leadership and management of the Foster Care program’s programmatic, administrative, financial, and operational systems throughout the designated territory. The program works to ensure children and families receive high-quality services aligned with treatment goals, manage risk, and uphold health and safety standards in accordance with state mandates and agency policies.

The role supervises program staff, oversees training and performance management, supports program development and community representation, monitors outcomes and compliance, and helps administer the program budget. The Director also provides on-call administrative oversight when needed and is responsible for identifying, controlling, and reporting risks in their areas of responsibility.

The position is based at the Syracuse Office in Syracuse, New York. Travel is required, primarily throughout Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer counties. The job details list travel of up to 25%, while the requirements section states travel is required 50%.

Requirements

• Minimum of an MSW or a master’s degree in a related field.
• Five to seven years of experience working with children and families in human services, social services, child welfare, case management, mental health, foster care, or related fields.
• Three to five years of supervisory or management experience.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving history and a reliable vehicle.
• Ability to travel; the job details list up to 25%, while the requirements section specifies 50%, primarily throughout Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer counties.
• Availability for on-call duties for a seven-day period once every 8–10 weeks as part of a rotating schedule.
• Ability to work with an economically and culturally diverse population.
• Decision-making, organizational, and communication skills, including attention to detail, oral and written communication, listening, and training skills.
• Demonstrated time-management and strategic-thinking skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing others in a leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Ensure children and families receive high-quality services at frequencies consistent with treatment goals, state mandates, and agency policy.
• Supervise staff, including coordinating or conducting training and development, evaluating performance, directing and assigning work, approving timecards and time-off requests, conducting new-hire orientation, and making recommendations on personnel actions.
• Participate in and initiate program-development and marketing efforts, and represent the program in the community and throughout the state.
• Monitor results against expectations, develop tracking systems, implement corrective action plans when necessary, and ensure staff compliance.
• Assist with development and administration of the program budget and ensure program and budget targets are met or exceeded.
• Provide on-call administrative oversight when necessary.
• Manage and reduce risks within areas of responsibility, report risks outside those areas or seek assistance to resolve them, and ensure health and safety risks are controlled or removed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director