Community Contracts Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist (CYFD/FSD #10112502)

New Mexico Department of Justice; Rio Rancho (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) seeks a Community Contracts Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist to oversee contract development, budgets, and CQI initiatives for youth transitioning from foster care. The role bridges services, providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure performance outcomes align with Fostering Connections values.

You will lead audits, develop tools, and support providers with action plans, while tracking outcomes and reporting progress to

Qualifications

• Experience with contract development and oversight.
• Ability to manage budgets and funding for services.
• Experience working with community providers and youth.
• Knowledge of CQI concepts and data-driven improvement.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for community providers, Fostering Connections staff and internal stakeholders regarding contracts and grant management CQI processes.
• Collaborate to complete contract paperwork ensuring timely execution of Scopes of Work.
• Develop audits and tools to assess compliance with contracts and services.
• Maintain regular communication and reporting on progress, using data to highlight priorities.
• Work with contractors to address compliance and performance issues and develop corrective action plans.
• Provide technical assistance regarding contract requirements and funding.

Skills

Contract development

Budget development

Working with community providers

Technical assistance

Data-driven CQI processes

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Associate's Degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

Job Title Community Contracts Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist (CYFD/FSD #10112502)

For more Job Requirements & Classification Description:

At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact.

Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.

Why does the job exist?

Incumbent performs full range of program, policy and budget analysis activities to maximize funding (state, federal, and private grants) to ensure a full range of supports and services available to youth transitioning to adulthood. Incumbent works closely with the Administrative Services Division to ensure contracts are executed timely and Scopes of Work accurately represent the services and performance outcomes intended. Incumbent works closely with the FC Community Development Specialist and Housing Navigator to support contract providers to ensure programming is in alignment with the Fostering Connections values about older youth, while supporting flexibility that allows contractors to quickly iterate program designs to best meet the needs of older youth and young adults. Incumbent is responsible for tracking performance outcomes of all grants, contracts, and subcontracts associated with the Fostering Connections pillar and ongoing implementation of data-driven Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) practices among contract providers to ensure the highest quality community-based services for older youth and young adults impacted by the foster care system. Incumbent contributes to the culture of Fostering Connections by ope-rationalizing our values and practice model in all interactions with community-based providers and contractors, and all stakeholders.

How does it get done?

Serve as primary contact for community providers, Fostering Connections staff and internal stakeholders, including ASD, regarding contracts and grant management CQI processes.

• Collaborate with Administrative Support Division (ASD), to complete contract paperwork to ensure timely execution of Scopes of Work related to services and supports for older youth and young adults impacted by foster care.
• Develop approved qualitative and quantitative tools to conduct audits with all community-based contract providers. Conduct audits, utilizing quantitative and qualitative tools, to ensure programs are in compliance with the executed Scope of Work and contract requirements.
• Maintain regular communication, including written quarterly reports, with Program Manager and other stakeholders to track progress of contract deliverable and outcomes. Attend management meetings, as requested, to report on progress and performance, utilizing data to highlight key priorities and focus areas related to desired outcomes and objectives.
• Work with contractors to address any day-to-day contract management compliance and/or systemic performance issues. In partnership with Program Manager, contractors, and other stakeholders (including young people) develop corrective action plans that support the provider to address and resolve concerns and/or barriers.
• Provide technical assistance to Fostering Connections staff, internal partners, providers, and the community regarding contract requirements and funding for services and supports for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

Support the ongoing identification, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based or informed interventions that serve the unique needs of older youth and young adults transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

• Conduct research around state and national practices and innovative services that result in positive outcomes for foster youth transitioning to adulthood. Utilize information learned to support CQI processes with current providers and ongoing efforts to implement best practices.
• Assist with identifying priority areas that need attention or action, including the development of community-based programming, to bring about meaningful change for older youth across life domains.
• Partner with community-based agencies that serve transition-aged youth to strengthen these relationships and improve access to services and supports (and to avoid duplication of services and funding).
• Partner closely with other Fostering Connections staff to develop presentations, trainings, and other activities for young people and community-based providers around best practices related to engaging and supporting older youth/young adults.
• Take lead on special projects and other duties as assigned.

Contribute to a positive, supportive, and collaborative work environment by uplifting CYFD and Fostering Connections values.

• Document activities and information in FACTS as required by agency policy and procedures to ensure clear communications among those assigned to cases and providers.
• Respond to all communications in an empathetic, courteous, and timely manner (within two business days between colleagues and stakeholders and within 1 business day if specific to a youth/young adult). Emergencies should be responded to within one hour, including notification to chain of command.
• Develop a strong knowledge base regarding youth and emerging adult development, the impact of trauma, and best practices to support engagement and thriving. Ensure integration in all contracts and CQI auditing processes related to Fostering Connections.
• Participate actively in Fostering Connections and CYFD meetings, training, and educational opportunities to continuously improve application of policies and procedures, innovative and best practices, and state/federal regulations related to older youth services and supports.
• Comply with policies, practices, contracts, and other legal obligations.
• Assist with training other employees and providing back-up when necessary.
• Assist with projects and performing other duties as assigned in support of the Fostering Connections team and workforce.
• Provide quality service and effective partnership with young people by effectively demonstrate the ability to utilize and implement the Fostering Connections practice model and tools.
• Request and communicate annual and sick leave requests to your supervisor in accordance with CYFD policy and procedure to ensure proper coverage of workload responsibilities.

Ideal Candidate

Experience as it relates to:

• Contract development and oversight
• Budget development and oversight
• Working with community providers
• Providing technical assistance related to Scope of Work and program delivery
• Working with youth and young adults who have experienced trauma
• Working directly with Children, Youth, and their families
• Working with Youth in a school setting
• Determining eligibility for services that might be needed for the Children, Youth and Families
• Conduct and complete assessments of safety, risks, strengths, and family needs
• Developing Safety plans for the Children, Youth and Families
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings
• Identify, provide, and/or arrange timely assessments/evaluations/ interviews

Associate's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Education, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Family Studies/Services, Social Sciences, or Human Services and one (1) year of experience as a social work assistant and/or in social or community coordination, working with communities, working on health or social service related matters, social work/case management experience, and/or behavioral health care. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling three (3) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.

Working Conditions

Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. May work under frequent time constraints. Significant travel statewide is required, approximately 25% of time.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.