What are the responsibilities and job description for the SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST V - Denver - Hybrid position at State of Colorado Job Opportunities?
Department Information
This position is open to current Colorado residents only
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!
Hybrid, two days a week in the office (Wednesdays and Thursdays) - subject to change based on business needs.
Division of Child Welfare: Permanency Services.
The Division of Child Welfare Services provides a range of leadership, management and supervisory functions related to the delivery of public child welfare services to children, youth and families. The Division provides administrative supervision for all child welfare programs in Colorado’s 64 counties, and delivers technical assistance and support, monitoring, program improvement, regulatory oversight and other quality assurance functions.
The purpose of the Permanency Unit is to supervise and monitor 64 county departments of human/social services in the operation and delivery of child welfare programs for the safety, permanency and well-being of children and youth in a county administered state supervised system. The Permanency Unit consists of one manager, five program administrators, and one Program Assistant. Each program administrator is responsible for providing program parameters, program data, training and technical assistance to other divisions within CDHS, county departments and other states. The program administrators are state and national speakers for programs they administer. Program administrators write legislation and develop rules and procedures to implement statute. The Permanency unit utilizes currently accepted theory, expertise and judgment to design strategies, processes and guidelines critical to the Department’s mission.
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Description of Job
The purpose of this position includes:
The Foster Care and Relative Guardianship Assistance Administrator position is in the Permanency unit of the Department of Child Welfare (DCW) and is supervised by the Placement Resources Administrator. This position exists to -lead, supervise, guide, develop, and design standardized child welfare services and practices related to Foster care and Relative Guardian Assistance (RGAP) in county departments of human/social services. This position also co-leads certified kinship foster care with the Kinship Care Program Administrator.
This position coordinates and collaborates with service providers and shareholders in foster care program development and provision of services. The position develops and maintains mechanisms for statewide communications, an array of services, and accessibility to foster families. This includes the management and coordination of the foster care website, email, and quarterly foster care meetings. This position also supervises the Recruitment and Retention Specialist IV position.
This position is an agency, state, and senior authority in foster care home and (RGAP) program management. This position assesses, develops, implements, and maintains a statewide system design of services to children/youth living with foster families who are served by county departments of human/social services and external shareholders; develops, implements, evaluates, monitors, and enforces statewide program practice standards, this includes partnering with other CDHS Divisions ( Administrative Review Division) to monitor, and enforce this program. This position exists to consult with management and staff from other state agencies, in the areas of mental health, health, self-sufficiency, Medicaid, housing, etc... to improve access to services and resources for foster families and children/youth in foster care; to lead and supervise the county departments of human/social services in the operation of the foster care and RGAP programs.
This position also analyzes legislation, makes recommendations to the child welfare leadership team for action, and develops statutory language as needed to address barriers regarding certification and retention of foster parents. This position exists to inform and assist executive management and the staff in child welfare to improve foster care and RGAP programs for the State of Colorado. This includes promoting safe and stable family sites, local resource centers, and the general public in the area of foster care programs and practices.
Program Administration.
- Respond to questions through a process from shareholders, legislators, other state and federal agencies, professional organizations, and researchers throughout the United States including national-level organizations related to foster care, kinship foster care, and RGAP.
- This position is the senior authority to review service delivery to all 64 county departments of human/social and oversees the work with county departments to review county policies, practices, and implementation related to foster care, Recruitment and Retention, and RGAP.
- Responsible for county oversight including monitoring progress, program improvements, enforcement, and outcomes.
- Serves as the lead for projects that pertain to foster care programs and RGAP services and collaborates with other teams and agencies on similar projects, including but not limited to rule development.
- Collaborates with other teams to ensure alignment/consistency in practice and interpretation of policy and practice. This position works closely with staff that license and monitor facilities child placement agencies, and county foster care reviews.
- Serves as the Division’s lead in drafting revisions to the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) related to the area of foster care and RGAP.
- This position serves as the liaison for all 64 counties and has the authority to give direction and technical assistance and training to expand and strengthen services to foster parents in collaboration with other state departments, community partners, and shareholders.
- Implements directives from federal law as it pertains to child welfare practice and initiates including development, implementation, and monitoring of foster care, RGAP, and ICPC practices.
- Researches and maintains current foster care and RGAP practices across the country.
- Address complaints from foster care families, assist with county departments of human/social services and service providers, and assist with facilitating conflict resolution and problem-solving.
- Address complaints about counties that are assigned to this position as a county intermediary.
Policy Development and Analysis. Brief Duty Description: Researches and analyzes foster care and RGAP data to identify statewide trends, patterns, and opportunities in program deliverables and services. Initiates changes in rules and policies that align Colorado with national trends and effective practices and assists counties with improving service delivery. Develops policies and promulgates rules regarding foster care, kinship foster care, and RGAP and supervises the Recruitment and Retention Specialist to improve practices.
Supervision. Supervises one permanent employee. Setting and consistently monitoring performance standards, conducting performance planning and appraisal of staff, providing leadership, and guidance, and actively engaging staff in professional development and growth opportunities. Monitors and approves programmatic changes to the program. Initiates and concludes necessary corrective or disciplinary actions. Assesses information needed during coaching and direction for the employee. Monitors and approves formal leave for staff.
County Intermediary. Provides ongoing technical assistance, guidance, and supervision to assigned county departments regarding C-STAT and other relevant data being monitored, county child welfare practice foster care, and RGAP practice. This position travels across the state to county agencies for technical assistance and supervision needs. Initiates and engages in routine contact with county personnel to share information and inquire about county practices, strengths, challenges, and trends.
- Reviews county complaints, assesses the county response, and provides feedback to county departments regarding any needed training, or concerns regarding county practice.
- Reviews complaints from the Child Protection Ombudsman- of Colorado, assesses the concerns, and provides feedback.
- Engages shareholders and provides feedback to improve programs and takes supervisory action as appropriate.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum qualifications
Experience Only:
Eight (8) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position
OR
Education and Experience:A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to eight (8) years.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Marriage and Family Counseling, Development of Human Behavior, Child Development, Family Intervention Techniques, Diagnostic Measures, Therapeutic Techniques, Education or field of study related to the work assigned to this position.
- Experience in leadership/Supervisory role.
- Certification as a caseworker and Supervisor in the state of Colorado or ability to certify within 6 months of hire.
- Experience within the state of Colorado child welfare system at the county level.
- Emotional Intellegence skills.
- Program Administration and development experience.
- Foster Care/Kinship Care experience.
- Clear and concise writing skills (ability to be descriptive and explain through examples).
- Ability to present and facilitate meetings.
- Public speaking skills.
- Ability to make informed decisions.
- Research skills.
- Relevant years of State service experience
Conditions of Employment
- Full Background. CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).
- Travel. This position serves as a liaison for all 64 counties and serves as the foster care and RGAP expert at numerous public venues such as local, state and national conferences that require in-person consultation and travel.
- Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply
Need help with your application? Click here.
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact araceli.diaz@state.co.us
About Us:
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:
- Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
- Medical and dental health plans
- Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
- Paid life insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
- BenefitHub state employee discount program
- Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
- Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more
information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.
Our Values:
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.
Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~
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