Project Manager 1

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Our mission is to promote positive, lifelong outcomes for Ohio youth through early intervention, quality education, and family support programs. At DCY, we offer our employees a rewarding work experience in public service helping Ohioans achieve a sustainable lifestyle that includes generous benefit options and a flexible work life balance making our agency a great place to work! To learn more about DCY, please visit our website at Department of Children and Youth | Ohio.gov. Location Requirements: DCY’s core hours of operation are Mon-Fri from 8\:00am to 5\:00pm, however, daily start/end times may vary based on operational need across DCY divisions. Employees may begin as early as 7\:00am & as late as 9\:00am, based on supervisory approval. This position performs work on-site daily at DCY’s office space. The goal of this position is to strengthen the partnership between the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Anti-Trafficking Team and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) by implementing and managing innovative initiatives that improve the identification and support of at-risk youth, youth survivors of human trafficking and missing or AWOL youth in Ohio. The Project Manager will lead the implementation and oversight of multiple interrelated projects focused on enhancing identification efforts by establishing more consistent child abuse and neglect screening practices, building subject matter expertise within targeted Public Children Services Agencies (PCSAs) and reducing repeated departures from home or congregate care settings (including youth who are missing, run away, or AWOL). This role will also coordinate and support collaborative efforts between a designated social work agency and local law enforcement agency to better identify and locate youth who have been reported missing. The Project Manager will serve as a subject matter expert, strategic planner, and liaison to ensure the success and sustainability of these initiatives. The Human Trafficking Project Manager will be required to attend in-person local and state meetings, provide onsite support, and statewide travel as needed. Funding\: The Human Trafficking Project Manager 1 will work under the administrative direction of the Ohio Department of Children & Youth. This position is currently funded with GRF dollars provided by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Services through June 30, 2027.

Requirements

• 3 yrs. exp. in project management (i.e., management & development of project/program requirements, design, development, testing/pilot, training & full scale implementation), with experience to be commensurate with project/program &/or position description on file (e.g., specific human service program area, management information sciences, fiscal); 12 mos. exp. in budgeting & calculating cost projections of program/projects.
• Or successful completion of 2 yrs. post-secondary education majoring in business administration, public administration, computer science/information technology, social science, or health, with major being commensurate with project to be assigned; 12 mos. exp. in budgeting & calculating cost projections of program/projects.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
• Statewide travel for this position is required. Must provide own transportation or, to operate a state vehicle, must possess a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading projects, preferably in child welfare, anti-trafficking, or youth services.
• Familiarity with Ohio’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
• Experience coordinating multi-agency or cross-sector initiatives.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and survivor-centered practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports and presenting to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and using data to drive decision-making.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor’s or master’s Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or a related field.
• 5+ years working with or within Public Children Services Agencies (PCSAs) experience with screening and/or intake is preferrable; or 5+ years working with survivors of human trafficking, particularly in roles involving case management, crisis response, or multidisciplinary coordination.

Responsibilities

• Perform project management functions to manage multiple projects (i.e. at-risk youth and youth survivors of human trafficking )
• Develops projects, system policies, plans and monitors projects and activities
• Meets with staff to discuss projects and resolve technical problems
• Reports to manager and/or senior level management on project progress
• Works with program staff to determine legislative impacts serves as liaison to policy areas, assists in assessing and performing strategic planning for department.
• Travels statewide to support implementation, provide onsite support, and attend meetings and events.
• Directs activities of multiple project analysis or programming and systems analysis across units, sections and/or projects
• Manages system design and development of multiple control standards and development of multiple project tracking and monitoring programs
• Develops and implements policies and establishes system methodology or systems/programming standards and productivity tool standards.
• Performs other related duties as assigned (e.g., conducts and attends staff meetings; conferences and training; conducts presentations and provides training/technical assistance as needed; operates computers to produce correspondence, reports, and other documents, maintains logs, records, and files.
• Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of multiple interrelated anti-human trafficking projects.
• Develop and manage project timelines, deliverables, budget, and performance metrics.
• Monitor progress and adjust strategies to meet project goals and deadlines.
• Serve as a liaison for projects to ensure consistent communication and alignment across partners.
• Promote shared learning and best practices among stakeholders.
• Prepare regular reports for internal leadership and external partners.
• Use data to inform continuous quality improvement.
• Stay current on best practices and emerging trends in anti-trafficking and child welfare.
• Represent the assigned projects in workgroups, conferences, and public forums.
• Work with an internal DCY team to identify gaps and training/technical assistance needs, promote standardized screening practices, and ensure alignment across the three pilot sites.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

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