Resume and Pre-Interview Questions
To apply, we ask that you complete Pre-Interview Questions. Your resume can be uploaded via the Pre-Interview Questions form. We do not require a cover letter.
Once we receive all materials, we will review resumes and determine whether to extend first interview offers. This position will remain open until filled, however an initial review of resumes will begin on October 1, 2023. Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of that date.
Agency Summary
Ampersand Families provides permanency and adoption services to older youth and families who face barriers to equity in child welfare, and champions systemic changes that advance belonging, dignity, and hope.
We are seeking experienced professionals who understand the profound impact that child welfare intervention has on the lives of children, youth, and families. A successful candidate for this position will be curious about the many ways permanency work can restore belonging, dignity, and hope. An orientation of professionalism and humility that values continuous learning and commitment to give and receive consultation are requirements for successful employment at Ampersand Families. As an organization, Ampersand Families strives to strategically address systemic inequity and barriers to permanency for older youth, youth of color, and sibling groups.
Ampersand Families is proud to be an employer of choice with an organizational culture of excellence that embraces humor, learning, and collegial support. We employ professionals who are accountable for learning the skills, building the relationships, and investing the time required to achieve and support real outcomes for youth, families, and excellence in the programs designed to support them.
Ampersand Families is committed to doing our part to create a more equitable child welfare system. To that end, Ampersand Families provides equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, nationality, ethnic background, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, marital status, socio-economic status, status with regard to public assistance, political affiliation, veteran status, other non-visible differences and other protected attributes.
Position Summary
The Family Services Program Director oversees all aspects of child foster care licensing, home study assessment, and placement services provided to relative/kin and non-relative families. This includes supervision and management of Permanency Specialists to maintain a healthy work environment that values self-care and excellence in permanency practice. The Program Director leads program development initiatives and acts as a liaison between the agency, Minnesota counties, the Minnesota Department of Human Services Child Safety & Permanency and Child Foster Care Licensing units. This position will work in partnership with three other Program Directors and is a member of the leadership team.
This is a professional position that requires experience in direct service and child foster care licensing, as well as leadership positions in public or private agencies providing foster care and/or adoption services in Minnesota.
POSITION: Program Director – Family Services
JOB TYPE: Regular, full time
POSITIONS SUPERVISED: Permanency Specialists (5)
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
Responsibilities
- Ensure that all aspects of Family Services are completed consistent with best practices, budget expectations, and the agency’s mission.
- Understand agency’s strategic plan, including goals for program development and delivery, and take responsibility to meet and exceed these goals.
- Promote an environment that facilitates innovation and creative solutions.
- Management responsibilities include supervision of staff, operations/contract compliance, and program development while providing consistent leadership to maintain a healthy work environment that values self-care and excellence in permanency practice.
- Hire/fire, train, develop and provide regular case consultation and supervision to Family Permanency Specialists.
- Ensure family services are provided in compliance with Minnesota statutory requirements for child foster care licensing and adoption, and with state contract requirements, including review of home study assessments.
- Act as a liaison for problem-solving between the agency, family, county, and MN Department of Human Services when difficult cases arise.
- Regular quality review of client files and agency workflow and processes; develop new procedures, policies, and documents as needed and work with individual staff to improve performance when necessary.
- Represent Ampersand Families at relevant interagency meetings.
- Assist with the development of the annual budget and review and monitor program related financial statements.
- Manage current public funding contracts and grants, ensuring timely delivery of proposals, contract addendums, budgets, reports, and information requested for site visits. Maintain regular contact with contract managers and be responsive to requests for information.
- Advance creative recruitment strategies to increase in number and diversity, the pool of families adopting via the agency. Ensure that all inquiring prospective families receive competent consultation regarding agency services and available supports, as well as a one-on-one orientation to the agency, foster care licensing, and permanency.
- Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
- Our current in-office protocol includes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays in the office with Mondays and Fridays being flexible to work from another location. Due to the nature of this work, there is a significant amount of flexibility around schedule and work location.
Skill Requirements
- Well organized, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to be self-directed as well as to work as part of a team.
- Flexibility, comfort with change and personal initiative are necessary traits to effectively fulfill the expectations of this position.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively and to develop partnerships with a wide range of community members, social services professionals, families and youth.
- Personal commitment to anti-oppression work. Must recognize the ways that race, gender, sexual orientation, ability/disability, and other identities (historically and presently) intersect and impact whether youth and families experience child welfare intervention, and what their experience is once they become involved. Willingness to engage in difficult, respectful conversations for the purpose of strengthening the organization, the child welfare field, and interpersonal relationships with colleagues.
- Front-line, direct practice and leadership experience in public and/or private child welfare agency, and proven knowledge of Minnesota adoption and foster care systems, laws and procedures.
- Strong presentation skills, including experience making large group presentations.
- Experience developing and implementing programs and training curricula.
- Must retain licensure as required by applicable board or laws.
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook programs and a working knowledge of databases.
Other Requirements
- Two years of program supervision experience, including the supervision of personnel and program management, five years strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of, and experience with, ensuring compliance with child foster care licensing rules and expectations, is strongly preferred.
- Master’s degree in social work and independent level licensure (LISW or LICSW) required. Exemptions may be made for candidates with relatable child welfare supervision experience, subject to approval by the Minnesota Department of Human Services Child Foster Care Licensing Division.
- Driving record, current driver’s license, insurance coverage and fingerprint background checks in compliance with agency policies. Willingness to travel throughout Minnesota, including occasional overnights.
Starting Salary Range: $75,000-$90,000
As part of our commitment to equitable hiring practices, we offer the highest starting salary, based on an applicant’s qualifications, that the agency is able to pay. Therefore, we do not engage in salary negotiations at hiring. There is a 3% pay increase after successful completion of the initial 6-month probationary period.
Benefits
Ampersand Families has a very competitive benefit package, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Long-term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plan, AAA Membership, 20 Days of PTO (accrued per year; increases with each year of employment), 10 floating holidays plus Juneteenth and Election Day paid holidays, paid Parental Leave, and Short-term Disability Bank (accrue 5 days/year of service).
The person in this position will be provided with a work laptop and work phone. They are also provided with a company credit card to manage expenses in the field. Mileage is reimbursed for local travel, and rental cars are available for longer trips. All staff are provided with a budget of $400 yearly for ongoing training and education.
Before accepting an offer, the candidate is given an opportunity to meet with current staff for a candid conversation, to get a further sense of the agency culture and to ask any questions they may have.
Ampersand Families acknowledges that this is a time of significantly heightened stress for many in our community, and we recognize that this may impact a candidate’s readiness to apply for a new position. A thorough outline of our agency’s typical hiring process and timeline is included on our website. We encourage interested candidates to submit application materials and indicate if they need accommodations in the hiring process (which may include a different pace for interviews, flexibility in interview times).
