Area Director - Lawrence

The Department of Children and Families is seeking an experienced and dedicated individual to fill the role of Area Director. In this role the Area Director will be responsible for translating the mission and vision of the Department through managing and monitoring all clinical and administrative operations of the area office with an approximate caseload of 800 – 1,200 families served by about 80 – 100 staff.

The selected candidate will operationalize Department policy and procedures into a social service delivery system, with services provided by DCF social workers and private contracted providers, toward the goal of strengthening families and ensuring children are protected from abuse or neglect.  The Area Director is accountable for making the most effective and efficient use of financial and human resources in carrying out the Department’s mission.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Ensure all agency clinical policies, procedures, and regulations are known and practiced appropriately by all area office staff. 
• Provide support and guidance to the area office team on high profile and complex cases.
• Manage area office budget within prescribed allocation, monitor and analyze service and administrative expenditures as well as develop and implement systems and strategies to correct deficits.
• Hold monthly management, supervisors, and staff meetings, to offer direction, guidance, and support in each of the area offices.
• Responsible for recruitment, hiring, training and ongoing evaluation of staff, including implementation of progressive disciplinary actions.
• Complete all necessary reports, answer correspondence, and respond to consumer requests and grievances.
• Develop a working relationship with local union representatives through regular meetings and joint problem solving.
• Ensure physical plant (office site) is appropriate, safe & secure for staff.
• Spend equal work time in each of the area offices to ensure continuity and strong teamwork.
• Maintain collaborative working relationship with the area board in each area office as well as develop and maintain working relationships with sister-agencies, local community stakeholders, provider network and local legislators as necessary.
• Ensure casework practices are in accordance to interagency agreements negotiated by the Department. 
• Develop and coordinate all RFP’S for contracted services and negotiate with selected vendors. 
• Ensure appropriate foster and adoptive parent’s recruitment, training and support systems are in place. 
• Monitor agency programs and initiatives to ensure appropriate implementation.
• Provide staff appropriate training and information regarding all policy and practice changes.

• Social Work Licensure
• Ability to work within public child welfare system knowing client population and service needs.
• Demonstrated expertise working with senior managers and staff involved in transition.
• An understanding, both clinically and legally, of child abuse & neglect.
• Demonstrated commitment to the agency’s six core values:1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) strength-based, 4) community-focused, 5) culturally safe, and, 6) committed to continuous learning
• Proven ability to superv