Child Welfare Data Specialist - REMOTE

Position Summary

ICF partners with JBS International and the Children’s Bureau (CB) to support child welfare monitoring and improvement through the federal Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR). CFSRs are designed to determine states’ compliance with Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, and to evaluate child welfare system performance and require states to make improvement in outcomes for children and families.

ICF is seeking a Child Welfare Data Specialist to work as a member of the Child Welfare Reviews Project (CWRP) team. The Child Welfare Data Specialist contributes to accomplishing the CB’s CFSR priorities of effectively partnering with states and monitoring public child welfare agency performance improvement. She/he will support federal CB staff with all aspects of these reviews. The position is full-time and home-based. Occasional travel is required, based on project needs and CB approval.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR) in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

• Work in collaboration with federal CFSR Unit staff, Office of Regional Operations staff, contractor staff, and other key CB stakeholders to monitor state child welfare system improvement efforts.

• Analyze and translate federal data indicators, context data and national standard methodology into easily understandable language for federal and state administrators and staff; effectively communicate their implications for policy and practice improvements.

• Analyze and monitor state data measures to determine attainment/non-attainment of Program Improvement Plan (PIP) negotiated outcomes as well as conformity with federal requirements.

• Serve as a member of the Measurement and Sampling Committee and provide comments on draft federal guidance documents and materials.

• Actively participate in planning for CB- and state-conducted case review approval in CFSRs.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or another related field.

• Minimum of 12 years of combined experience working in public child welfare agency services.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience using, managing, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting public agency administrative child welfare data to drive continuous quality improvements in agency services and outcomes.

• Prior experience within a position of influence in public child welfare agency practice and/or experience in child welfare policy management in program or quality assurance.

• Strong background in computing, statistics, and research, and their integration with policy and practice.

• Demonstrated experience using longitudinal administrative data in child welfare decision making, program planning, and outcomes monitoring.

• Demonstrated experience summarizing, and presenting complex child welfare information to administrators, policy makers, and other stakeholders that translates data outcomes into policy and practice options/recommendations.

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of AFCARS and NCANDS datasets, and federal statewide data indicators.

• Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking in English. 

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Master’s degree in social work or related field including data analytics or social science.

• Understanding of concepts of risk adjustment in statistical reporting.

• Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking in Spanish. 

Professional Skills:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

• Proficient in data analytics applications: SPSS, STATA, Tableau and MS Office products: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks under critical time frames and be able to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical staff.

• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills, including experience with developing and delivering presentations.

• Solid team builder and team player with a proven ability to manage competing priorities, perspectives, and stakeholder needs.

• Collaborative, team-oriented, consensus builder comfortable working as a contractor in a federal environment.

• Strategic thinker and planner with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to multi-task and maintain high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.

Working at ICF

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