Foster Care Program Director

Child and Family Services of Erie County, Inc.•Buffalo, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Foster Care Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of program delivery, staff development, compliance, policy implementation, and service quality within the Foster Care and Adoption Program. Reporting to the Chief Community Program Officer, the Director will help guide a growing program that is continuing to strengthen its systems, expand foster home capacity, and support a largely new and developing team. The ideal candidate brings both clinical and operational expertise in child welfare and values hands-on leadership, staff development, and continuous improvement. This position offers an opportunity to shape program culture, strengthen operational consistency, support staff growth through coaching and mentorship, and lead critical initiatives such as foster parent recruitment and retention.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work or a related human services field required; LMSW or related clinical licensure strongly preferred.
At least five (5) years of progressive management experience in child welfare, clinical, or related settings.
Demonstrated success leading teams, programs, or systems through periods of growth, change, or operational improvement.
Strong knowledge of child welfare regulations, permanency planning, and trauma-informed care principles.
Excellent interpersonal, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with policy implementation, quality improvement, operational oversight, and program evaluation.
Commitment to staff development, coaching, and building a stable, mission-aligned workforce.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with staff, foster families, community partners, and regulatory stakeholders.
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment that requires flexibility, communication, and strong follow-through.

Nice To Haves

LMSW or related clinical licensure strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership and direction to the Foster Care and Adoption Program, ensuring delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed services.
Supervise and support program staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, learning, and professional growth.
Strengthen and maintain program policies, procedures, workflows, and systems to support clarity, consistency, and compliance with state and county regulations.
Monitor program quality, operational performance, and outcomes using data, audits, and stakeholder feedback.
Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies, including the Erie County Department of Social Services and New York State OCFS.
Collaborate with agency leadership and cross-functional departments to support integrated, high-quality service delivery.
Support onboarding, coaching, and ongoing development of new and developing staff.
Oversee program budget, staffing, and operational planning to support sustainability and effective resource utilization.
Lead foster parent recruitment and retention initiatives to meet the evolving needs of children entering care.
Provide consultation and leadership support during high-risk or crisis situations.
Promote a culture of equity, inclusion, transparency, and continuous improvement throughout the program.