Program Quality Specialist

Position Summary: The Program Quality Specialist (PQS) plays a key role in monitoring and enhancing program performance through a data-driven, outcomes-focused lens. This position supports a range of services including foster care, residential treatment, and community-based programs—many of which implement evidence-based models. The Specialist will be responsible for implementing quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI) initiatives that promote best practice child welfare and ensure compliance with all oversight mandates as well as internal policies and procedures.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct compliance and qualitative reviews to assess program performance and identify areas for improvement.

• Analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate statistical methods to evaluate program effectiveness and identify trends.

• Monitor and track data sets including ACS PAMS, Scorecard and internal metrics to assess outcomes and drive improvements.

• Collaborate with program staff to ensure timely submission of documentation into various electronic systems, and compliance with oversight agency reporting requirements and deadlines.

• Enter, monitor and assess data quality in systems such as Connections, Evolv, PROMIS, Safe Measures and other electronic systems utilized by agency staff.

• Proactively identify trends in worker/team data entry and assist in the creation and monitoring of plans to improve data quality and timeliness.

• Work collaboratively with programs to develop meaningful outcome measures and standardize data collection protocols.

• Conduct formal evaluations of agency programs and prepare comprehensive reports and presentations.

• Research and apply best and promising practices to develop tools for evaluating performance.

• Prepare detailed evaluation reports using findings from site visits, client interviews, staff interviews, record reviews and other data sources.

• Develop written performance reports and other correspondence based on research, analysis, and assessments in order to communicate information, recommendations, and decisions.

• Participate in Quality Team meetings; lead discussions on trends, and ensure meeting documentation is maintained.  

• Assist in the development, design and implementation of dashboards, data collection systems, tools and other business processes.

• Ensure adherence with agency, ACS, OCFS, A29i, and OMH policies and procedures.

• Assist with the development, implementation, and monitoring of internal and external improvement plans.

• Review critical incident reports and monitor progress with associated corrective action plans;

• Conduct routine case record reviews and audits.

• Develop standard operating procedures in collaboration with program areas;

• Provide supportive and corrective feedback to program staff to promote positive outcomes.

• Contribute to the agency’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives and other projects as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least two years of directly related professional experience or;

• Four years of full-time progressively responsible work experience including at least one year in a supervisory or administrative role in quality assurance, program evaluation, contract management, project management or;

• Master’s in Public Administration, Organizational Management, Psychology, Social Work, Political Science or related field and at least one year of full-time relevant;

• Familiarity with the NYC child welfare system, residential programs and/or OMH is preferred;

• Proficiency in MS Excel and data visualization tools is required;

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadline in a fast-paced environment;

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills;

• Must commit to work from a trauma-informed, strength-based youth and family centered practices;

• Willingness and ability to travel throughout New York City, Westchester County and work remotely;

Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000