Job Specification Details

Professional level coordination, review and consultation work for the Department for Children & Families involving development of placements and services for children in the custody of the Commissioner and/or for youth in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Duties include review and approval of residential and alternate detention placements or wraparound services and assistance to caseworkers in the procurement and development of services. Duties are performed with considerable independence under the general direction of an administrative supervisor. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Reviews all proposals for residential placements of children or youth in custody and alternative detention placements of youth in custody. Assists caseworkers in developing and refining placement proposals and locates available facilities for appropriate placements. Presents placement plans to Central Review Committee for approval when required. Negotiates with district managers and with other agencies to obtain financing of placements. Monitors placements to ensure adequacy and effectiveness of treatment and contract fulfillment. Ensures adherence to federal and state requirements for the placement of delinquent youth and youthful offenders. Develops plans for transfer of children out of residential or other placements upon completion of treatment. Monitors the high end system of care and triages emergency placement needs of youth in DCF custody. Develops out of state placements as needed. Assists caseworkers in development of wraparound services when residential placements are unavailable or inappropriate. Attends treatment team meetings to explain, defend and obtain agreement with placement and service decisions. Testifies in court as an expert witness on placement issues. Monitors secure placement populations and arranges transfers and alternative placements to keep facility within legal limits. May participate as a member of State Interagency Team to review placement proposals of other departments. Participates in the development of detention placements and community alternatives. Participates in the development of additional placement resources and of overall policies and procedures for placement of children and youth. Performs related duties as required.

Duties are performed primarily in a standard office setting. Considerable travel to team meetings, district offices, courts, correctional facilities, and residential and other treatment facilities is required, for which private means of transportation must be available. Considerable work outside of normal office hours is required. Significant stress may be anticipated in balancing the needs of children and youth with limited resources.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of social services casework.

Considerable knowledge of federal and state rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing the residential placement of children in custody and the detention of youth in custody.

Considerable knowledge of the developmental stages and needs of children and youth.

Ability to analyze and interpret complex regulations and to apply them to specific cases.

Ability to conceptualize programs to meet the needs of specific children and youth.

Ability to develop and maintain strong and effective working relationships.

Ability to work collaboratively across interagency systems.

Ability to explain casework decisions to colleagues and to family members.

Ability to perform job duties within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Three years as a caseworker in a child protective services, juvenile services, or correctional services program, any of which must have involved the placement of children or juveniles. Master’s Degree.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.