ADMINISTRATOR II

This is a Special Appointment position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

17

Department of Human Resources

Social Services Administration

311 W. Saratoga Street

Baltimore MD 21201-3500

This position serves as the Foster Parent Ombudsman within the Social Services Administration (SSA) with the Department of Human Resources.  The incumbent in this position acts as an advocate for public foster parents with concerns, problems, or needs associated with their rights and responsibilities.  The Foster Parent Ombudsman shall be an intermediary for foster parents when they believe that a neutral voice is needed to address differences between foster parents and local departments.  This position will also support and assists foster parents in (varied) ways and will report directly to the Executive Director of SSA.

• Investigates complaints concerning foster parents;
• Reviews concerns from foster parents and kinship providers in regards to their rights and issues and provides them an opportunity to express their feelings;
• Notifies local Director when concerns are received;
• Respond to all customer concerns and inquiries;
• Receives concerns, shares results with providers and facilitates resolutions;
• Meets with involved parties and collaborates with staff of Local Departments of Social Services;
• Provides quarterly reports to the Secretary and Maryland Foster Parent Association;
• Identifies trends and issues, shares feedback and collaborates with Social Services Administration;
• Serves as an advisor to the Maryland Foster Parent Association, Executive Board and Board of Directors, and participates in meetings and activities;
• Facilitates foster parent photo ID’s;
• Collaborates and participates in meetings and activities of the National Foster Parent Association, the Maryland Resource Parent PTSA (Parent, Teacher, Student Association) and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Foster Care Advisory Committee;
• Publishes and distributes “Foster Parent News” quarterly newsletter;
• Provides and conducts training opportunities to local associations and Departments;
• Facilitates Foster Parent Panel in conjunction with the University of Maryland School of Social Work Child Welfare Training Academy;
• Assists in the planning and preparation of Statewide appreciation events and represents DHR and the Secretary at many local appreciation events; and
• Coordinates the Foster Parent Satisfaction Survey.

Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a human services program or related field.

Experience: Six (6) years of experience in human services or foster care programs. Three (3) years of this experience must have been in an administrative, supervisory, facilitative or consultative capacity.  

Note: Additional experience in administrative staff or professional work in a human services field may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education. Please describe in detail any job duties relating to the minimum qualifications.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

1. Certified mediator and be recognized/certified by the appropriate governing association.

2. Ability to mediate issues of emotional nature.

3. Experience with Social Services Administration programs (Foster Care and/or Kinship Care).

4. Experience in public presentation, writing and team building.

5. Must be articulate and trustworthy.

6. Experience facilitating, consulting or community collaborating.

7. Strong written and oral communication skills.

8. Ability to prioritize and multi-task effectively.

9. Flexibility in a busy environment.

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

This is a Special Appointment position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the minimum qualifications for this recruitment.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.  Successful candidates will be placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

If you are in State service and are a promotional candidate, your salary will be determined in accordance with the State of Maryland Salary Guidelines.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS  

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated.  This office, with your approval, will verify your prior applicable work experience.  In order to receive full consideration for time worked, please complete dates of employment in its entirety and identify number of hours worked for each entry.

College transcripts are not required for review of your application and do not need to be forwarded.  Please clearly indicate your college degree and majors on your application.  If selected for an interview, you will be required to bring an official transcript with you.  For all foreign education obtained outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service if selected for an interview.

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred; however, the paper application may be submitted to: DHR/Employment Services Division, attn: Jocelyn Maschal, 311 W. Saratoga Street, Baltimore MD  21201.  The paper application must be received by 5 p.m. close of business on the closing date of the recruitment.  No postmarks will be accepted.  The previous Maryland State application (MS-100) will not be accepted. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

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

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