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Children and Families Program Director 1

Foster Care Division | Hybrid

Recruitment # 251015-1943MP-001

Location Hartford, CT

Date Opened 10/20/2025 12:00:00 AM

Salary $106,755 - $145,565/year

Job Type Open to Agency Employees

Close Date 10/27/2025 11:59:00 PM

Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)

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+ Introduction

Are you ready to take the next step in your career, while continuing to make a difference in the lives of others? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/services/jobs-and-employment/state-job-openings) Department of Children and Families (DCF (https://portal.ct.gov/DCF?language=en\_US) ) is seeking a Children and Families Program Director 1 (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=1943MP&R1=undefined&R3=undefined) role in our Division of Foster Care, located with Region 1 and Region 5 (can be subject to change based on operational needs). This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, with expected statewide travel.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

+ LOCATION : Hartford, CT | Expected statewide travel- Region 1 (Bridgeport & Norwalk) & Region 5 (Danbury, Torrington, & Waterbury). Note- can be subject to change based on operational needs

+ SCHEDULE: Full time- 40 hour per week | First shift, Monday - Friday

+ NOTE: This position is open to current DCF employees only. Please see selection plan for additional details.

Your role as a Children and Families Program Director 1

The Program Director provides oversight of Foster Care Division staff assigned to the regional and central offices. The position is responsible for implementing the agency's foster care recruitment and retention plan which is tied to the federally mandated Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) of 2018 requiring states to provide high-quality licensed caregivers (reimbursement is based on reduction of congregate care placement, increase utilization of kin for placements and the shortened length of stay in care). It is also responsible for federally mandated Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) which is part of Title IV-E formula grant that reimburses states based on the number families licensed, children reunified, guardianship transferred and adoptions. In this role you will be responsible for monitoring progress, addressing challenges, and developing infrastructure to support the implementation of strategic goals, practice and policy.

Examples of responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

+ Ensuring uniformity in the implementation of statewide foster care, guardianship and adoption initiatives

+ Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance

+ Developing and analyzing foster care performance reports

+ Monitoring and controlling fiscal spending

+ Overseeing recruitment, retention and licensing activities for foster and relative families

+ Ensuring the foster care division functions are in compliance with applicable regulatory and licensure standards

+ Negotiating relationships with internal and external stakeholders

+ Navigating change initiatives and successful implementation of key organization transitions

+ Gather data on deliverables and outcomes

+ Create reports and presentations based on data and analysis

+ Maintain contacts with individuals within and outside of department who might impact

The ideal candidate for this position will be organized, motivated, and possess strong communication skills. Additionally, will:

+ Have a passion for excellence,

+ Ability and experience analyzing complex situations and processes - integrating data to form a cohesive picture and meaningful actions,

+ Have a demonstrated competency to interact with people at all levels of the organization.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU- As a current agency employee you will receive the same excellent benefits you are accustom to.

+ Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!

+ Professional growth and development opportunities.

+ A healthy work/life balance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6n9M1Qd5fo) to all employees.

ABOUT US

DCF is comprised of fourteen (14) area offices, 2 facilities, the Wilderness School, and Central Office. All 14 Offices have a Foster Care Unit (FC) that shall report to a Program Director of Foster Care. FC units are responsible for implementing statewide initiatives and procedures related to foster care and adoption at the local level.

If a child cannot remain at home, placing children with relatives or people that they know is our first priority. DCF has taken great strides over the last several years to improve how we serve vulnerable children and families in Connecticut. However, we have not done so alone. No one has been more instrumental in that progress than our foster and relative caregivers. We aim to continue providing effective quality services to our foster and relative caregivers as they meet the needs and support the timely permanency of children in care.

We hope you take this opportunity to join our team and continue serving your state!

Selection Plan

IMPORTANT: In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

+ Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant T oolkit (https://jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=KIT) for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

+ Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

+ Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.

+ Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.

+ Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.

+ Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing [email protected].

+ Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

+ Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

+ Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

+ Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!

+ Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.

+ The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

+ Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Pam Rochette at [email protected].

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Children and Families this class is accountable for directing administrative support and/or program services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

+ Directs staff and operations of the assigned area of responsibility;

+ Coordinates, plans and manages program activities;

+ Formulates program goals and objectives;

+ Develops or assists in development of related policy;

+ Interprets and administers pertinent laws;

+ Evaluates staff;

+ Develops and monitors budgets for specific program or administrative areas;

+ Maintains contact with individuals and organizations within and outside of agency which impact on area or program activities;

+ Assists in directing and coordinating allocation of staff and resources to maintain service delivery system or program;

+ Manages systems and/or programs to ensure compliance with federal, state and department mandates;

+ Identifies training and development needs of staff;

+ Speaks before professional and lay groups;

+ Represents Commissioner in community and public relations activities within area as assigned;

+ Prepares and/or analyzes management reports including reports detailing area activities, program operations and client statistics;

+ Evaluates programs and professional social work services provided to children and families;

+ Identifies needs of children and families for purposes of determining available community resources;

+ Reviews work of assigned areas for general efficiency and effectiveness with target client populations;

+ Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;

+ Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

+ Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;

+ Knowledge of

+ and ability to apply management principles and practices;

+ standards of practice and administration of programs dealing with children and youth;

+ impact of cultural issues on service delivery and staff relationships;

+ Considerable

+ interpersonal skills;

+ oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the field of child welfare programs, children's protective services, foster services, adoption or social and human services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial or supervisory capacity with responsibility for planning, development, implementation or supervision of administrative or program services in child welfare, children's protective services, children's mental health or juvenile justice.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Children and Families Program Supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

+ College education may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

+ A Master's degree or other advanced degree in the behavioral sciences, public administration, education, social work or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

NOTE: Closely related fields are child welfare, applied sociology, social and/or human services, clinical psychology, child development, criminal justice, counseling, human development and family relations, human service, marriage and family therapy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

+ 3+ years professional experience in foster care and adoption services within Connecticut Children & Families

+ Experience with FFPSA and AFSA Federal Acts

+ Experience developing presentations to include analysis, findings and impact

+ Experience generating and analyzing various performance metrics using Excel and other reporting tools

+ Experience with computer literacy and demonstrated ability to integrate technology in the workplace

+ Managerial experience in a matrix organization

+ Experience providing representation on behalf of an agency (employer) with internal (across divisions) and external stakeholders (providers, other state agencies, etc.)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online