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SOCIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR II

POLICY ANALYST

Recruitment #16-000383-0001

Introduction

This is a Position Specific Recruitment for Social Services Administration.  You must meet both the Minimum and Selective Qualifications for consideration. 

GRADE

17

LOCATION OF POSITION

DHR/Social Servies Administration

311 West Saratoga Street

Baltimore, MD 21201-3500

Main Purpose of Job

This position serves as a Policy Analyst in the Out-of-Home Placement Program for the Department of Human Resources (DHR), Social Services Administration (SSA). 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 Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS's) and other service providers, both public and private; monitors local departments for program effectiveness and compliance with State regulations; represents the Out-of-Home Placement Unit, SSA, and DHR in the community; and participates in workgroups, boards, committees and other activities in order to foster independence, safety, permanency and well-being for the State's vulnerable children and families.

POSITION DUTIES

This position analyzes prospective legislation that impact on out-of-home placement services for all children placed in the out-of-home placement (foster care, kinship care, guardianship, adoption, independent living) populations; prepares detail commentary about proposed legislation that includes letters of support, suggested amendments, and formal testimony; attends legislative committee hearings for relevant proposed legislation that impacts on children placed in out-of-home care; participates in discussions about pending legislation with legislators; interprets and composes 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; 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; provides technical assistance to local department's in implementing policies and practices; provides assistance and responds to various allegations about the delivery of services on behalf of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, DHR Secretary, SSA Executive Director, and the Program Manager for out-of-home placement services. 

This position also 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, and Governor's Office on Children] on matters that relate to the delivery of out-of-home placement services; 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 baseline budget for the program based on experience and expansion needs; prepares justification statements and submits for review; participates in taskforce meetings, committee meetings, workgroups, and on various boards related to child welfare concerns; serves on various committees with Administrators, Department Heads, Deputy Directors from LDSS and other State agencies (i.e. MSDE, DHMH, and DJS); conducts meetings with LDSS and representatives from other State agencies that impact on the children placed in out-of-home care; consults with local departmental staff and private agency staff about certain casework practices that impact children and their families; confers with local departmental staff on corrective action plans to improve the delivery of out-of-home placement services; prepares RFP's (Request for Proposals) for certain out-of-home functions; prepares contracts with vendors for certain out-of-home services; obtains bids for out-of-home services as outlined by procurement procedures; and provides presentations regarding out-of-home services to the community and inter-agency groups.

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.

Notes:

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

YOU MUST MEET BOTH THE MINIMUM AND SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED.

Two years of experience developing, implementing and monitoring Child Welfare Programs such as: (Foster Care, Kinship Care, Adoption, and/or Independent Living).

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

1. Strong written and oral communication skills.
2. Ability to prioritize and multi-task effectively.
3. Flexibility in a busy environment.
4. 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 make sure that you 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.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

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. 

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.   

It is imperative to list all computer and software experience on your application pertaining to your job duties.  

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:  LaToura Jones

311 W. Saratoga Street, First Floor

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Or, fax requested information to: 410-333-0882; Email dhr.esu@maryland.gov; Voice 410-767-8844, 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.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.


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.




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