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SOCIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR II

OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT POLICY ANALYST

Recruitment #15-000383-0001

Introduction

This is a Position Specific Recruitment for the Social Services Administration.  You must possess one year of experience in a public or private Child Welfare Agency and meet the minimum education and experience requirements to be approved for this recruitment.

GRADE

17

LOCATION OF POSITION

Department of Human Resources

Social Services Administration

311 W. Saratoga Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

This position serves as a Policy Analyst for the Out-of-Home Placement Program within the Social Services Administration (SSA) for the Department of Human Resources (DHR). The incumbent in this position institutes changes in policies, operational standards and service delivery across all Out-of-Home Placement service programs; assists with the development, implementation and monitoring of certain Child Welfare programs, in coordination with the LDSS and other service providers, both public and private; monitors local departments for program effectiveness and compliance with State regulations and represent the Out-of-Home Placement Unit within DHR and the community by participating in workgroups, boards, committees and other activities in order to foster independence and safety for the State's vulnerable children and families.

POSITION DUTIES

1. Analyzes prospective legislation that impact on out-of-home placement services for all children placed in Foster Care, Kinship Care, Adoption and Independent Living populations; prepares detail commentary about proposed legislation that includes letters of support, suggested amendments, and formal testimony; and attends legislative committee hearings for relevant proposed legislation that impacts on children placed in out-of-home care.

2. Interprets and writes regulations and policies based on the legislation that has either passed at the Federal or State levels; participates with Federal partners in discussing the implications of Federal regulations as they impact on out-of-home placement foster care services in Maryland; develops certain policies and procedures that will lead to the implementation of new legislation; and informs local departmental staff about the changes from the new legislation that impact on the delivery of services to children and their families that are in the out-of-home placement foster care program.

3. Provides assistance to concerned citizens of Maryland by responding to various allegations about the delivery of services by staff in out-of-home placement services on behalf of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, DHR's Secretary, Executive Director for SSA, and the Program Manager for out-of-home placement services.

4. Provides technical assistance to LDSS and other State agencies [i.e. Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Citizen Review Board for Children, Governor Office on Children] on matters that relate to the delivery of out-of-home placement services.

5. Prepares Out-of-Home Placement Program budget; reviews and analyzes program budget for the impending fiscal year; analyzes program to determine if any adjustments are warranted; makes recommendations to determine if there is new legislation or other legal mandates that may require requesting adjustments to the baseline budget; prepares the baseline program budget for the program based on experience and expansion needs; and prepares justification statements, submits for review and prepares budget for possible revisions.

6. Participates in taskforce or committee meetings, workgroups, and on various boards related to Child Welfare concerns.

7. Consults with local departmental staff and private agencies staff about certain casework practices that impact children and their families; and confers with local departmental staff on corrective action plans to improve the delivery of out-of-home placement services.

8. Prepares RFP's (Request for Proposals) for certain out-of-home functions.

9. Prepares contracts with vendors for certain out-of-home services and obtains bids for out-of-home services as outlined by procurement procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Possession of a Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience: Six (6) years of professional experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency or institution, three (3) years of which must have been in administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity.

Note:

1.  These requirements are established by the Social Services Administration by authority provided in Human Services §4-204 of the Annotated Code of Maryland and the Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits, does not have authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.

2.  Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Social Work classifications or Social Work specialty codes in the Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

One year of experience in a public or private Child Welfare Agency.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strong written and oral communication skills.

Ability to prioritize and multi-task effectively.

Flexibility in a busy environment.

Strong time management, priority setting and problem-solving skills.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Candidates filling positions in this classification must be licensed by the Board of Social Work Examiners.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties are required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position.  It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Please report all experience and education that is related to this position. 

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must accompany the application.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred.  If the online application process is not available, please send your paper application and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) to:

DHR Examination Services Unit

Attention: Leslie Wigfield

311 W. Saratoga Street, First Floor

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Or, fax requested information to: 410-333-0882; Email dhr.esu@maryland.gov; Voice 410-767-7316, toll-free: 1-800-332-6347.

Do not submit unsolicited documentation. The paper application must be received by 5 PM on the closing date for the recruitment. 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay, 1-800-925-4434.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.




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