Massachusetts Jobs

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a mission-driven, dynamic, highly organized individual with experience providing clinical and administrative supervision to social workers serving the permanency needs of children and families to fill the role ofManager of Permanency Practice. Reporting to the Director of Adoption, the Manager of Permanency Practice will be responsible for overseeing the creation of a newly organized unit within the Department’s Field Operations Division. Permanency is the term the Department uses to describe achieving physical permanence, which includes reunification, kinship, guardianship, adoption, or an alternative planned permanent living arrangement; and relational permanence, which includes life-long connections with biological families, siblings, mentors, and supportive others. This position will provide permanency-focused guidance and consultation to Regional & Area Office staff and will also coordinate closely with the Managers and Specialists in Foster Care, Adoption, Adolescent Services, Disability Services, Medical, Mental Health, Legal, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, and Regional Clinical Directors. _Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive)_: * Provide assistance to the Director of Adoption, as needed. * Consult with DCF Central Office and Area and Regional management staff regarding permanency goals and decision-making. Areas of consultation include but are not limited to case practice and appropriate case direction; appropriate placement decisions inclusive of kin; Family Resource License Review Team decisions; problem-solving and resolution of complex cases related to permanency. * Provide leadership and coordination to the Regional Permanency Specialists and assure individual and group clinical supervision. * Collaborate across the DCF system to promote permanency outcomes, including but not limited to: o Collaborating with the Managers and Specialists in Foster Care, Adoption, Adolescent Services, Disability Services, Medical, Mental Health, Legal, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, and Regional Clinical Directors to assess permanency needs and develop services to support youth and their permanency. o Collaborating with DCF Legal to address barriers to permanency and working to create solutions. o Collaborating with Policy Unit on any changes or revisions to related policies. o Implementing and monitoring permanency initiatives, ensuring efficacy and consistency. o Identifying IT needs to support timely permanency and working to create solutions. * Assess and address the training needs of staff. Create and assist with trainings on achieving permanency, in conjunction with CWI, the Managers and Specialists in Foster Care, Adoption, Adolescent Services, Disability Services, Medical, Mental Health, Legal, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, and Regional Clinical Directors. * Oversee the Department’s Permanency Roundtable initiative. * Ensure the presence of Permanency Specialists at meetings and other forums regarding permanency decision-making including Initial Placement Reviews, Permanency Planning Conferences, Permanency Roundtables, Clinical Review Teams, and other meetings, as needed. Participate in Joint Permanency/Adoption Reviews and identify common Regional and Statewide barriers to achieving reunification, adoption, guardianship, and other permanency goals while working toward resolution. * Other duties, as assigned. _Preferred Qualifications:_ * Comprehensive understanding of DCF policies and procedures related to permanency. * Capacity to think critically, and ability to nurture critical thinking skills among staff. * Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with children, families, resource parents, contracted providers, and DCF staff. * Ability to manage projects and time effectively and set and implement priorities. * Mastery of concurrent planning and its application to decision points throughout the life of a case. * Knowledge of best practices in permanency (reunification, guardianship, and adoption). * Ability to identify and consider the impact of losses on children, families, and caregivers. * Recognition and understanding of the impact of implicit bias and racial disparity in practice and decision-making. * Working knowledge of Permanency Roundtable processes and current services within the community. * Understanding of the clinical issues that cause children to be in placements. * Ability to create tracking systems and use data effectively. * Expert ability to create curricula and train on permanency issues. * Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Outlook and other PC-based software _To Apply_: Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. _About the Department of Children and Families:_ The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education. DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care, when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning. For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf /_Pre-Hire Process_//:/ * A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/coriand click on "Information for Job Applicants." Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.   Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADAReasonable Accommodation Online Request Form For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience. II. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience. Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range. *Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Community and Social Services* *Organization: Department of Children & Families *Title: *Manager of Permanency Practice Location: Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place Requisition ID: 250001SX