Associate Commissioner (Assistant Deputy Commissioner)

Duties Description

The Assistant Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Child Welfare and Community Services (CWCS) serves under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner and is charged with assisting with the oversight of the state’s child welfare program including child protective services, foster care and adoption services. In addition to assisting with the state’s child welfare program, the Assistant Deputy Commissioner has expansive responsibilities including operation of the state’s 24-hour child abuse hotline, Protective Services Program for vulnerable adults; licensure and oversight of Domestic Violence shelters and programs; licensure and oversight of foster care and child welfare services provided by no-profits; contract management and oversight of a large portfolio of grant programs and services.

• Oversee the daily operations and administration of the Division of Child Welfare and Community Services (CWCS) and assist in fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive work environment.
• Direct division operations, liaising with administrative staff, and troubleshooting division operational and administrative issues.
• Assist in maintaining federal standards compliance in all areas of CWCS.
• Review systems, practices and policies to ensure adherence to statutory and regulatory guidelines
• Liaise with the Office of Research Evaluation and Performance Analytics (OREPA) to promote data-informed decisions to guide practice and outcomes
• Supervise the work of the division’s Associate Commissioners and troubleshooting any issues that may arise, and elevating successes and problems as needed.
• Coordinate team-building activities and professional development for all CWCS staff.
• Monitor the timeliness of division reviews of agency policies and regulations and responses to inquiries from individuals and entities outside of the agency.
• Collaborate with Human Resources regarding division personnel matters.
• Oversee the completion of staff performance evaluations, mandatory training requirements and managing employee onboarding and offboarding.
• Lead division projects in collaboration with assigned parties.
• Participate in office leadership and decision-making pursuant to the direction of the Deputy Commissioner.
• Assist with identifying key areas for process improvement across CWCS and work with staff to implement changes.
• Assist the Deputy in collaborating with external stakeholders in the state, local agencies, advisory boards etc. to facilitate communication with the field related to child welfare and community services practices.
• Assist the Deputy in delivering presentations at local, state and national conferences about innovative approaches in child welfare.
• Attend meetings in the absence of the Deputy Commissioner.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience in a child welfare or child abuse prevention or equivalent experience OR

Master’s or post graduate degree with 7 years of experience in a child welfare or child abuse prevention or equivalent experience

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and change management skills.
• Experience in continuous quality improvement, data analysis and reporting.
• Demonstrated success in leading large projects.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
  
  

Additional Comments

Background Investigation Requirements:

• All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
• All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
• For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.
  
  

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned, and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.