Maine Department of Health and Human Services Direct Hire Vacancy Announcement Social Services Program Specialist I Children's Justice Act & IV-B Coordinator

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CODE:  5092DH	   RANGE:  22 (Prof. & Tech. Svcs.)	  $34,091.20 - $46,217.60/yr.



Value of State-paid Health & Dental Insurance:  $341.08 biweekly (90% state contribution)



Value of State's share of employee's retirement:  11.54 % of pay.

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Opening Date: November 21, 2012	Contact:	S.Smith
Closing Date: December 7, 2012	Telephone:	(207) 287-1877
Location: Augusta, however OCFS will consider alternative work locations

Agency Information

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides supportive, preventive, protective, public health and intervention services that protect the public health and assist our customers in meeting their needs; and that assist families in providing for the developmental, health and safety needs of their children. DHHS strives to provide these programs and services while respecting the rights and preferences of individuals and families. The Office of Child & Family Services (OCFS), within DHHS is responsible for ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families through community networks, local resources, and life-long family connections throughout Maine. OCFS fulfills its mission through: Policy and Prevention, Intervention and Care Management, Community Partnerships, and Accountability and Information Services. Although this position is currently located in the OCFS central office in Augusta, OCFS will consider alternative work locations.

Job Duties

As a Social Services Program Specialist I in the Division of Public Service Management you will be responsible for management oversight of the Children's Justice Act (CJA), coordination of the Title IV-B grant and coordination of CANEP (Child Abuse Neglect Evaluation Program).

The Children's Justice Act (CJA) provides grants to states to improve the investigation, prosecution and judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner that limits additional trauma to the child victim. This also includes the handling of child fatality cases in which child abuse or neglect is suspected and some cases of children with disabilities and serious health problems who also are victims of abuse and neglect.

Management and oversight of the CJA grant includes completing the annual federal application and report, tracking expenditures and ensuring appropriate use of funds in accordance with grant requirements and within budgetary limits. You will coordinate and support the work of three panels: Child Death and Serious Injury Review Panel (CDSIRP), Child Abuse Action Network (CAAN), and the Citizen Review Panel (CRP). You will organize and attend panel meetings and conferences and provide staff support to committee chairs. You will produce annual reports for panels, as well as summaries for CDSIRP case reviews. You will also utilize the National Center for Child Death Review database system for data collection to enhance Maine's ability to identify risk factors and patterns for the purpose of preventing child deaths and serious injuries, as well as partner with the National Center for Child Death Review and New England CDSI committees and other states.
As Title IV-B Coordinator you will work collaboratively with Child Welfare program staff to ensure grant funds are appropriately allocated and contracts reflect activities identified in federal grant requirements. You will track expenditures, ensuring appropriate use of funds in accordance with grant requirements and within budgetary limits.
The Child Abuse and Neglect Evaluation Program (CANEP) is an initiative of the Maine District Court. It is a court-sponsored program under the auspices of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Maine District Court. CANEP's mission is to provide post-jeopardy, court-ordered, comprehensive, impartial, timely and expert child maltreatment risk assessments during the child protection court process. As CANEP Coordinator, you will be responsible for scheduling appointments with the evaluators and distributing the final reports.

Requirements

In order to qualify, you must have six (6) years of education* and/or professional experience in the development, administration and/or provision of social services programs. Necessary special requirement: You must possess a current Social Work license as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Work Licensure. Full licensure as an LSW is preferred. The backgrounds of well-qualified candidates should demonstrate the following competencies:

1. A thorough knowledge of Child Welfare policy and practice with experience in multiple child welfare program areas preferred. Please be specific describing those program areas in which you have practical experience.

2. A thorough knowledge of MACWIS.

3. Exceptional written communications skills. Please provide a writing sample with your application materials.


*Only post-secondary degrees from a College or University whose accreditation has been granted from a nationally recognized accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education will satisfy educational requirements. Information can be obtained at http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by the World Education Services for authentication and U.S. equivalency.