ADMINISTRATOR II

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

17

Department of Human Resources

Office of the Secretary

311 W. Saratoga Street

Baltimore MD 21201-3500

The Foster Youth Ombudsman acts as an advocate for public foster children, providing oversight of children's services, investigating complaints from citizens and families related to government services and foster children, and addressing foster children's concerns, problems, or needs associated with their rights and responsibilities. The Ombudsman shall be an intermediary for foster children when they believe that a neutral voice is needed to address differences between foster children and local departments. The incumbent in this position will support and assist foster children in various ways and reports directly to the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources (DHR).

• Monitors implementation of applicable policies, rules and regulations associated with the legal rights of youth residing in facilities.
• Monitors the implementation of statutes, court orders, court decisions and court stipulations which affect youth residing in facilities operated by DHR. 
• Periodically reviews established procedures to carry out the provisions with a view towards the rights, safety and development of foster youth. 
• Monitors and participates in grievance procedures concerning foster youth as directed. 
• Visits facilities and programs in accordance with priorities established by the Director. 
• Establishes and implements procedures for receiving processing, responding to, and resolving complaints made by or on behalf of children who are recipients of the services of the local departments. 
• Investigates alleged violations of the legal rights of foster youth in State’s care. 
• Makes referrals to other State or local agencies, or take other appropriate actions with respect to complaints received regarding the actions of the Department or a Local Department or State-funded private entity that provides services to children and families who are at risk of abuse or neglect, children in State or institutional custody, or children and families who receive child protective, kinship care or foster care.  
• Consults with appropriate State, County agencies and State-Funded Private Entities to request, authorize, direct or provide cooperation and assistance that enable the child advocate to properly perform its responsibilities in providing child welfare services to children. 
• Creates and disseminates materials detailing the available services for foster youth with instruction on how to contact the Office of the Ombudsman. 
• Serves as a resource to foster youth by informing them of pertinent laws, regulations and policies, and their rights. 
• Recommends policies, regulations, and legislation designed to improve services or to correct systemic problems concerning services to children in State care and the Juvenile Justice System. 
• Identifies trends and issues, shares feedback and collaborates with the Social Services Administration on best practices. 
• Serves as a source of information and referral for foster youth, child welfare staff and external stakeholders. 
• Serves as an intermediary with State Youth Advisory Board and as a liaison with child welfare advocates. 
• Collaborates with and participates in meetings and activities of the National Foster Youth Association and organizations, including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Foster Care Advisory Committee. 
• Drafts and submits an annual report to the Secretary noting the number, county, and type of grievances heard and action taken.

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.    Ability to respect and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

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

6.    Must be articulate and trustworthy.

7.    Experience facilitating, consulting or community collaborating.

8.    Strong written and oral communication skills.

9.    Ability to prioritize and multi-task effectively.

10.  Flexibility in a busy environment.

11.  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.