Program Consultant, Sr. #W5491/W5492

Title: Program Consultant, Sr. #W5491/W5492

State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist II

Hiring Range: $72,000 - $82,000/yr.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

The Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Family Services is currently seeking a Program Consultant Sr. This position will serve as a key collaborator within the Division of Family Services, responsible for shaping and advancing kinship policies and practices across the Commonwealth of Virginia. This role will involve program development with key stakeholders to ensure uniform statewide service delivery on behalf of children and families and will provide direct support to state and local agencies to improve in-home services and/or foster care and comprehensive delivery of services for children and families.

This position will be responsible for:

Lead Kin First activities: Provide strategic direction for Kin First activities statewide, promoting policies and practices that prioritize kinship placements for children which prevent foster care and/or increase stability and permanency outcomes for children in foster care. Support and coordinate activities and efforts, develop presentations, and work plans as needed.

Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the primary subject matter expert on the Parental Child Safety Placement Program, family engagement, kinship caregivers, offering guidance and support to internal and external stakeholders.

Promote Family Preservation: Advocate for and implement strategies to support family preservation and reunification efforts, ensuring that children remain safely with their families whenever possible.

Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborate with key stakeholders including state and local agencies, community organizations, and advocacy groups to coordinate policy and program development and ensure consistent service delivery statewide.

Technical Assistance and Support: Provide direct support and technical assistance to state and local agencies, offering expertise on kinship and family engagement best practices to enhance Kinship services and support, and comprehensive service delivery for children and families.

Program Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of kinship and family engagement programs, recommending adjustments and improvements as needed to enhance outcomes for children and families.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive experience in child welfare, with a focus on kinship care, family engagement, and experience working with kinship caregivers.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the administration of human service programs pertaining to the child welfare continuum.
• In-depth knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to child welfare, particularly as they relate to kinshi