Planning and Policy Program Manager

The Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is a cabinet-level agency within the District of Columbia government, committed to the safety, permanence, and well-being of children and families residing in the District of Columbia. Charged with protecting child victims and those at risk of abuse and neglect, CFSA fosters collaborations within its administrations to deliver exceptional family-focused services to the community and its residents.

This position is located in the Planning, Policy, Program Support, and Licensing Administration (PPPSLA), Office of the Deputy Director for Planning, Policy and Program Support (ODDPPPS), Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA). The Program Manager is responsible for directing, planning and overseeing: the Planning unit, the Policy unit, the Office of Fair Hearings and Appeals and the Child Protection Register office. The Planning and Policy Program Manager, is responsible for directing, planning and overseeing and ensuring that the Children’s Bureau (CB) child welfare reviews and federal reporting requirements are timely and accurately completed in compliance with applicable federal, state, and District laws and regulations to include local reporting requirements and planning activities, planning support for child welfare planning initiatives, and governance development and implementation. The Program Manager is also responsible for directing, planning and overseeing the Office of Fair Hearings and Appeals and the Child Protection Register office.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Planning and Policy Program Manager provides guidance, supervision and coaching to direct reports and staff members to ensure high quality deliverables. Ensures operational and strategic direction and resource allocation of units to support organizational goals. Ensures that business processes, policies and procedures of the units are updated and that unit documents are stored correctly on the Agency’s designated electronic storage application. Ensures the daily operations of the units to include coordinating and ensuring the accurate and timely completion and submission of major reports required under local and federal child welfare legislation.

Ensures the planning, implementation, and completion of federal reviews such as the Child and Family Services Review and the National Youth Transition Database review. Ensures the planning and provides technical support for ongoing and special projects, which include project management, committee support, facilitation, program evaluation and analysis. Ensures teaming, cross-collaboration and feedback loops are closed for cross agency work.

This position oversees preparation for federal audits and ensures timely and appropriate compliance with federally mandated initiatives impacting child welfare. Ensures the coordination, planning, and oversight of the CB Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process, including the completion of the statewide assessment, establishment of review teams, training of team members, scheduling associated with the CFSR, analysis of review results, and subsequent Performance Improvement Plan development and updates. Leads the development of the 5-year Child and Family Service Plan (CFSP) and subsequent Annual Program and Services Reports (APSR). Ensures the partnership with other CFSA program areas to support the CFSR sampling and measurement process in conjunction with disseminating information about the statewide data indicators. Ensures the provision of review and analysis of Federal policy issuances and supports the development of Title IV-E state plan amendments and updates.

Manages communication and training plans to ensure awareness and effective implementation of new and updated agency governance. Oversees the Child Protection Register (CPR) office; ensures that staff are effectively and timely screening, processing, reviewing and completing CPR application requests in a timely manner. Ensures the responsiveness to internal and external inquiries. Oversees the CFSA Office of Fair Hearings and Appeals (OFHA) and ensures that staff is conducting proceedings consistent with CFSA rules and procedures. Ensures the responsiveness to internal and external inquiries concerning fair hearing matters.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education

Master’s degree in a field related to social work, public policy, public administration, law or other related discipline is highly preferred.

Three years of direct experience of supervision is highly preferred. Demonstrable ability to supervise and provide guidance and coaching to subordinate staff to manage a constant workflow and produce consistently accurate and reliable work products.

Two years of direct experience related to federal compliance, report writing, and policy development and analysis is highly preferred.

Advanced knowledge of project management, strategic planning, and communication concepts; and demonstrable advanced skill to assess the political and institutional environment in which child welfare decisions are made and implemented.

Advanced knowledge of local and federal legislative and regulatory processes and demonstrable experience in ensuring that policies conform to relevant local and federal mandates.

Strong interpersonal skills; ability to engage a range of stakeholders including resource parents, birth parents, social workers, attorneys, local agency officials, and Federal partners.

Licenses and Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is generally performed in an office setting while sitting at a desk or table or intermittently sitting, standing, and walking, and involve driving to different offices/locations.

Other Significant Factors

Special Area of Consideration: Open to the Public

Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday, 8:15 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Qualified Candidates must be flexible when it comes to tour of duty. Tour of duty may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Promotion Potential: No

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service– Regular Appointment

Pay, Plan, Series & Grade: MS-0301-14

MSS At-Will Statement: Positions in the Management Supervisory Service (MSS) serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Salary Minimum: $114,441

Salary Maximum: $160,216

Position Designation: This position is deemed as “security” sensitive pursuant to DCMR 6B Section 411 and is subject to a criminal background check, traffic records check (as applicable), pre-employment drug and alcohol test, reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test, post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test, and return-to-duty and follow-up drug and alcohol test.

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming "Residency Preference will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Closing Statement: Official Job Offers are made by D.C. Child and Family Services Agency's Human Resources Only.