Human Services Developer (Kinship and Adoption)

About us

Our mission is to promote positive, lifelong outcomes for Ohio youth through early intervention, quality education, and family support programs. At DCY, we offer our employees a rewarding work experience in public service helping Ohioans achieve a sustainable lifestyle that includes generous benefit options and a flexible work life balance making our agency a great place to work! To learn more about DCY, please visit our website at Department of Children and Youth | Ohio.gov. 

Location Requirements 

DCY’s core hours of operation are Mon-Fri from 8:00am to 5:00pm, however, daily start/end times may vary based on operational need across DCY divisions.  Employees may begin as early as 7:00am & as late as 9:00am, based on supervisory approval. This position performs work on-site daily at DCY’s office space. 

The role involves researching, analyzing, revising and implementing kinship and adoption policies, procedures, and programming.

Research and Analysis

• Compiles and analyzes the following to inform kinship and adoption policy and programming:

• Federal regulations, Ohio Revised Code, pending legislation and data collection.

• Ohio Administrative Code rules for impacts and cross-over on kinship and adoption policies and programming.

• Stakeholder feedback – gathers input from various stakeholders (i.e., public and private child serving agencies, associations, those with lived experience of child protection, community service providers, child advocacy groups, etc.).

Policy and Programming Development, Revision, and Guidance

Based upon federal acts, task force recommendation, administrative decisions, analysis of legislation, or the combination thereof to establish Ohio’s minimum standard of practice.

• Develops Ohio Administrative Code rules (e.g., administrative, screening/intake, assessment/investigation, case planning, and review requirements for PCSAs).

• Follows rule drafting and filing guidelines and procedure per the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

• Provides expertise, technical assistance, and training to ensure consistent practice application and implementation of OAC.

• Develops policy and practice guidance documents and additional resources to further support practice and rule compliance.

• Develops assessment and planning tools used in kinship and adoptive approval, certification, placement, and services.

• Communicates with various agencies and stakeholders (e.g., PCSAs, Title IV-E Juvenile Courts, private child serving agencies, community providers, and other governmental agencies) to address child protection policy, programming, and application.

• Responds to inquiries from citizens, stakeholder groups, PCSAs, federal and state partners/agencies.

• Provides presentations and trainings in various kinship and adoption subjects (i.e., adoption certification, homestudy, matching, recruitment, Ohio Adoption Grant Program (OAGP), Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS), kinship services and programs, Kinship Supports Program (KSP), State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP), Kinship Permanency Incentive Program (KPIP) and State Adoption Maintenance Subsidy (SAMS) etc.).

• Evaluates service delivery and provides recommendations for increasing program effectiveness.

• Communicates through various platforms to promote programs and services that support kinship and adoption policy and programming.

• Collaborates with various sections within the office (e.g., automated systems, child protective services section, title IV-E section, etc.).

• Facilitates and/or participates in staff meetings, trainings, and conferences.

• Operates personal computer and applicable software applications.

Preferred Skills/Characteristics

Knowledge of:

• Kinship and Adoption services policies and programs.

• Kinship and Adoption governmental laws, rules, regulations, and procedures.

• Resources applicable to kinship and adoption.

• Kinship and Adoption barriers, issues, concerns,

Skills in:

• Active Listening.

• Human relations.

• Oral and written communication.

• Conflict Resolution.

• Operation of personal computer and applicable software applications

Ability to:

• Understand technical policies and procedures.

• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

• Deal with large number of variables and determine specific course of action.

• Use statistical analysis.

• Handle sensitive inquiries and information.

• Establish good rapport with both internal and external partners.

Pay Information:

Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be step 1 of the salary range associated with this position. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Based on collective bargaining and legislative activity, there may be cost of living increases awarded annually. Additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Background Check Information:

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Status of Posted Positions:

You can check the status of your application online be signing into your profile and clicking the “My Jobpage” tab to view completed submissions and submission details. If you have questions other than your applications status, please direct them to DCY.HumanResources@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Completion of undergraduate core program in social or behavioral science, health services public administration, public policy management or comparable field; 36 mos. exp. in researching, developing or implementing policies related to social services, health services, public policy or comparable field; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in research methodology, measurement & testing, analysis of variance & survey sampling; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in use of computer hardware & software used for spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphics presentation & word processing.
 
-Or completion of graduate course coursework in social or behavioral science, health services public administration, public policy management or comparable field; 24 mos. exp. in researching, developing or implementing policies related to social services, health services, public policy or comparable field; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in use of computer hardware & software used for spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphics presentation & word processing.

-Or 24 mos. exp. as Human Services Specialist 2, 69452, with experience commensurate with duties to be assigned per posting of job opportunity (e.g., if assignment is in area of policy development for aid to dependent children, education, training &/or experience must have been in area of aid to dependent children).

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Human Services

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.

All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education provided on your civil service application. Attachments will not be considered as part of your application.

Selection devices such as a structured interview, proficiency instrument, and/or assessment may be required for this position. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency with a passing score of applicable selection device to be considered for this position. Regardless of a passing or failing score, all results will be maintained for 6 months. Applicant with a passing score will be retained and utilized for a 6-month period. Applicant with a failing score in the same position may not re-take the same selection device for a 6-month period.

Travel required, as needed. Must provide own transportation or in order to operate a state vehicle, you must have a valid driver’s license.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.