*ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE OR THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. *

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $135,000 - $145,000.

The Division of Family Permanency Services (FPS) is seeking an outstanding candidate to serve as the Assistant Commissioner of Technical Assistance and Support in the Office of for Strategic Program Support (OSPS). OSPS provides technical assistance services to ACS’ contracted foster care provider agencies and other key stakeholders to better achieve positive safety, well-being, and permanency outcomes for children in foster care and families.

The Assistant Commissioner will report directly to the Associate Commissioner of OSPS and serve as a key member of the OSPS leadership team. In collaboration with the Associate Commissioner and with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, the Assistant Commissioner of Technical Assistance and Support will be responsible for developing and implementing a approaches to providing program-level technical assistance that 1) responds to macro-level practice challenges and systemic barriers to performance in key areas of permanency and other child welfare components, 2) enhances the skills and capacity of the provider agency’s staff to deliver comprehensive and robust services that meet the needs of children and families and align with the provider agencies’ performance goals; 3) provide support and guidance to a team responsible for leading the recruitment and support of foster and kinship parents and 4) provides guidance and direction in the implementation of special initiatives and projects.

The Assistant Commissioner will lead and oversee a team of staff with the following key functions and responsibilities:
- Design and implement a collaborative approach to delivering program-level technical assistance to the foster care agencies that is driven by data, responsive to provider agency needs, and aligns with the provider agencies’ performance goals.
- Implement the new Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) program in collaboration with the family based foster care agencies. This includes but is not limited to collecting and analyzing data to identify technical assistance opportunities, provide guidance to the foster care agencies on developing and updating approaches and business processes for administering the new program, and providing opportunities for shared learning across the foster care system.
- Work with foster provider agencies, various ACS Divisions (Policy, Planning and Management [PPM]; Family Court Legal Services [FCLS]; Child Protection; Preventive Services; Older Youth Services; Child Welfare Support Services,), attorneys for children and parents, the Family Court and other key stakeholders to identify key areas where technical assistance is necessary to address challenges and barriers to permanency.
- Develop and deliver technical assistance to the foster care agencies pertaining to child welfare case practice, business process and performance management. Facilitate peer technical assistance “matches” between foster care agencies.
- Use data, both qualitative and quantitative, to inform continuous quality improvement processes, foster care practice, and system plans.
- Develop and implement focused technical assistance strategies to improve foster care child welfare practice and safety, well-being and permanency outcomes and aligns with the Foster Care Core Collective Priorities in areas including but not limited to the following: Parent engagement Identification and engagement of kin Visiting Concurrent planning Adoption Working with older youth Working with parents/children with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities Trial/Final Discharge
- Supervise a staff including directors of technical assistance and support and staff analysts.
- Identify opportunities and develop strategies to engage ACS, the foster care agencies, attorneys for children and parents and the Family Court in cross-disciplinary forums in order to enhance understanding and collaboration among these stakeholders and improve outcomes for children and families.
- Coordinate with ACS’ Workforce Institute to identify key areas of training needs.
- Research evidence-based and promising practices that inform technical assistance approaches and information shared with the provider agencies, key stakeholders, and divisions within ACS.
- Collaborate with FPS program areas and ACS PPM Division to inform existing and proposed policies.
- Provide support, guidance and technical assistance to the foster care provider agencies on new policies issued by OCFS and ACS.
- Coordinate with ACS PPM Division on strategies for integrating OSPS’ technical assistance and PPM’s monitoring work to support improved outcomes for children and families.
- Produce reports on technical assistance efforts, challenges and successes.
- Implement and manage high-level special initiates and projects based on the need of the agency and division.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four years of progressively responsible experience, in a large governmental agency, business firm, civic or community organization operating in the area of social services, including one year at the administrative or managerial level; or

2. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. Graduate education or a license may substitute for up to a maximum of three years of experience in the area of social services, but not for the one year of experience at the administrative or managerial level as described in "1" above, as follows:

(A) A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business, child welfare, counseling, economics, education, finance, human resources, labor relations, management, management science, nursing, operations research, organizational behavior, personnel or public administration, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, statistics, and/or urban studies may substitute for two years of experience; and/or

(B) Graduate education beyond the baccalaureate degree may be substituted at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university in the area(s) listed in “2(A)” above for each year of experience up to a maximum of three years; or

(C) A valid New York State Registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) may substitute for three years of experience.

However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and one year of experience at the administrative or management level as described in "1" above.

The preferred candidate is an experienced professional with child welfare practice, especially foster care permanency goals, and policy experience and expertise. This candidate will have the personal and professional gravitas to effectively lead and manage this critical function. The candidate must have proven experience with being an effective change agent and using data to inform practice change. The candidate must have the ability to work effectively at a leadership level within OSPS and with the foster care agencies, legal organizations, the Family Court, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders. The candidate must be flexible, diplomatic, and a team player, with the ability to inspire, lead and manage a team and to produce in a fast-paced environment. The preferred candidate should ideally have a graduate degree in social work, public administration, public policy or other related field. Candidate should possess strong process improvement, data analytical, project management, communication and interpersonal skills.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City Residency is not required for this position

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.