Child Safety Program Specialist (HUMAN SERVICE PRGM PLN ADMINISTRATOR)

Maryland; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal Leave

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

Parental Leave

Holidays

Pension

Telework possible

Job summary

The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) seeks a Child Safety Program Specialist to manage statewide child welfare programs, policies, and workflows. You will provide expert technical assistance, policy guidance, and system oversight to Local Departments of Social Services to ensure alignment with state and federal child welfare laws.

Responsibilities include CPS screening determinations, statewide screening operations, and annual policy updates, with coordination across LDSS and

Qualifications

• Expert policy guidance and technical assistance across child welfare programs.
• Experience with state data systems and reporting.
• Ability to interpret and apply state/federal regulations and policies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Central Office SME for CPS screening and determinations.
• Review LDSS screening decisions for policy and CAPTA compliance.
• Lead statewide Screening Panel Review process and provide training.
• Coordinate and manage after-hours child welfare workflow and reporting.
• Plan and conduct the annual screening summit.
• Analyze support tickets for CJAMS and advise on data fixes.

Skills

Policy guidance

Technical assistance

System oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Introduction

When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults. We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.

GRADE

ASTD17

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Department of Human Services

Social Service Administration

25 S. Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

The Child Safety Program Specialist contributes to SSA's mission by managing statewide programs, policies, and operational workflows for child safety, intake screening, and after-hours initiatives. This position provides expert technical assistance, policy guidance, and system oversight to Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) and interagency partners to ensure alignment with state and federal child welfare laws.

POSITION DUTIES

Child Welfare Intake Screening, After-Hours Program:

• Serve as the Central Office SME for complex Child Protective Services (CPS) screening scenarios and assess appropriate screening determinations of Investigative Response (IR) and Alternative Response (AR), Risk of Harm and Request of Other Agencies.
• As requested and in collaboration with the SSA quality assurance team, conduct review of LDSS screening decisions to ensure consistent application of state policy, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) standards, and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
• Direct and evaluate statewide implementation of the Screening Panel Review process for high-frequency report cases, delivering ongoing policy guidance, training, and technical support to local screening supervisors.
• Manages the operational workflow for child welfare report screening and coordinates statewide policies and programming for after-hours operations.
• Coordinates and conducts an annual screening summit.

Data and System Management:

• Reviews support tickets for the computerized child welfare case management system to determine if the requested data fixes comply with child welfare statute, regulation, and policy, and make appropriate recommendations for the resolution of those tickets.
• Uses the Child, Juvenile, and Adult Management System (CJAMS) to compile and retrieve aggregate information needed to develop reports on program progress and problems.
• Uses CJAMS to retrieve case-specific information needed to respond to internal and external inquiries, questions and concerns.
• Incorporates Child Welfare Data System instruction into child welfare policy and procedure.

Technical Assistance, Coaching, Support, and Training Coordination:

• Offers consultation to LDSS personnel regarding standard operating procedures and after-hours programming.
• Partners with the SSA Quality Assurance Team to deliver technical assistance to LDSS in areas of CPS compliance.
• Guides LDSS staff on the accurate and efficient use of the Department's computerized child welfare case management system.
• Advises LDSS and private agency personnel on casework practices affecting children and families.
• Collaborates with LDSS staff on developing corrective action plans aimed at improving child welfare service delivery.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Five years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations.

Notes

• 1. Candidates may substitute additional professional or technical experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
• 2. Candidates may substitute graduate level education at an accredited college or university in a human services related field at the rate of 30 credit hours per year for up to two years of the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of professional experience coordinating Child Protective Services (CPS), prevention and safety initiatives, or other child welfare and data systems.
• One year of experience in drafting, revising, or testifying on policy or regulatory language (such as COMAR or similar state/federal regulations and policy) or serving as a formal liaison to a Statewide Board or Commission.
• One year of professional experience as a liaison for CJAMS between the local department and Social Services Administration.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.

BENEFITS

• Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
• Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.
• Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.

Equal Opportunity Statement

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.