Social Services Program Manager 2026-02059

State of Wyoming; Casper (WY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement plan (Pension & 457B)

Flexible schedules

Work-life balance options

Job summary

The Wyoming Department of Family Services is seeking an experienced Social Services District Program Manager to lead operational activities across field offices. The role oversees social services, fiscal, and administrative staff and guides programs such as Child Protection, Adult Protection, Foster Care, and Juvenile Services.

Responsibilities include district leadership, quality assurance, community partnerships, personnel management, and budget oversight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Services or related field.
• 2–4 years progressive work experience in Social Services Programs at the Program Manager I level (or 5–7 years with substitution).
• Demonstrated knowledge of CPS, APS, Juvenile Services, and Juvenile Court practices.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and motivate a large multi-site staff.
• Budget input and monitoring within assigned fiscal allocations.

Responsibilities

• Provide district leadership, supervision, and direction to social services staff and Foster Care Coordinator.
• Oversee field office operations, audit district activities, and guide case management and court reporting.
• Build partnerships with local agencies and professionals to support district programs.
• Lead recruitment, training, performance management, and staff retention efforts.
• Manage district budget and administrative duties within a $5–10 million range.

Education

Bachelor's Degree (typically in Social Services)

Experience: 2-4 years progressive Social Services experience (Program Manager I level)

Education & Experience Substitution: 5-7 years progressive Social Services experience (Program Manager I level)

Job description

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Wyoming Department of Family Services is looking for an experienced and committed Social Services District Program Manager to lead, manage, and direct operational activities within the field offices of the designated district. This position involves managing social services, fiscal, and administrative personnel while guiding the delivery of comprehensive programs—such as Field Fiscal and Office Administration, Child Protection, Adult Protection, Juvenile Services, Foster Care, Independent Living, Re-entry, and Diversion—ensuring strict adherence to department guidelines as well as state and federal regulations. You will serve a crucial function in managing district operations, collaborating across the agency, under a state budget framework, building robust community and agency-wide alliances, improving employee retention, and assisting staff members experiencing secondary trauma.

At the Department of Family Services, you will find a team deeply committed to the rewarding mission of helping Wyoming individuals and families thrive. We are dedicated to keeping children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe at home by empowering families with the resources they need, while providing meaningful opportunities for success through our comprehensive support systems.

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement - Pension and 457B plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities and MUCH MORE!

Want to see the full value of your compensation beyond salary?

Explore our Total Compensation Calculator: https://compensationcalculator.wyo.gov

Human Resource Contact: Michelle Johnson / [e-mail]

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed in the job level.

• District Leadership & Supervision: Provide direct leadership, direction, and supervision to social services supervisors, administrative staff, fiscal teams, and the Foster Care Coordinator. Promote agency values and align operations with state and federal standards.

• Field Office Oversight & Quality Assurance: Collaborate agency-wide with managers of all divisions for office operations. Oversee, evaluate, and audit all district social service activities, including Juvenile Services (JS), Child Protective Services (CPS) and Adult Protective Services (ASP) investigations, court reports, case management, community prevention, intervention, and supervision. Consultation & Case Guidance: Deliver daily consultation and problem-solving support to field supervisors and staff regarding complex case management issues, child and adult protection, juvenile court proceedings, and family dynamics.

• Community Relations & Alliances: Build and maintain collaborative partnerships with local legal, medical, educational, mental health, non-profit, and law enforcement organizations across the district.

• Personnel Management & Retention: Lead recruitment, hiring input, performance management, training, professional development, and retention initiatives for a multidisciplinary district team. Proactively support staff in managing secondary trauma and burnout.

• Administrative & Budgetary Management: Perform core administrative duties to ensure smooth daily operations of district offices. Provide input on and manage an assigned district budget between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000 to balance service needs with fiscal responsibility.

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to those with experience with managing high-impact and emotionally complex public challenges, including recruiting foster homes, addressing severe family trauma and substance abuse, managing high caseloads, and balancing community service needs within budgetary resources.

KNOWLEDGE

• Deep knowledge of Child Protection (CPS), Adult Protection (APS), Juvenile Services, and Juvenile Court practices.

• Proven ability to effectively manage, mentor, and motivate a large staff within a complex, multi-site social services framework.

• Strong understanding of family-centered casework, best practices in social services, and the application of state practice models.

• Demonstrated skill in assessing quality metrics, auditing casework documentation, and interpreting complex statutes, rules, and policies.

• Expertise in budget input and monitoring within assigned fiscal allocations.

• Skill in forming community partnerships, recruiting talent, and mitigating secondary trauma/burnout in high-stress social service environments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's Degree (typically in Social Services)

Experience: 2-4 years of progressive work experience (typically in Social Services Programs) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Social Services Program Manager I

OR

Education & ExperienceSubstitution: 5-7 years of progressive work experience (typically in Social Services Programs) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Social Services Program Manager I

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

• This role manages high-impact and emotionally complex public challenges, including recruiting foster homes, addressing severe family trauma and substance abuse, managing high caseloads, and balancing community service needs within budgetary resources.

NOTES

• FLSA: Exempt
• All positions within the Department of Family Services will require a background check, including the taking of fingerprints, which will be completed through the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Family Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for every successful applicant.

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.

Human Resource Contact: Michelle Johnson / [e-mail]