Permanency & youth Services Coordinator - Phoenix Arizona

PERMANENCY AND YOUTH SERVICES
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Salary: $26.9712 HRLY/$56,100.10 Salary

Grade: 20

Closing Date: September 24, 2023

The Permanency and Youth Services Coordinator position is part of the Permanency and Youth Services Unit. The position is responsible for establishing a quality assurance process which will include case reviews, identifying the quality of services and supports provided to youth 14 and older in foster care, gathering data, reporting out the findings, and coaching to support and improve field practice. This position will also provide the training of the Youth Thrive framework, focusing on the complex issues older youth in foster care face such as Juvenile Justice, teen parenting, immigration, caregiver support, and housing-employment issues. This position will work with youth, DCS Staff, external community members and stakeholders, facilitating a variety of engagement activities focused on the needs of youth in transition.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Completes case reviews to establish a quality assurance process which includes collecting data on services and supports provided to youth 14 and older in Foster Care. Conducts supportive coaching/training to field staff to implement the Youth Thrive Framework and Best Practice to support the quality assurance process. Identifies the complex issues young adults face in child welfare such as Juvenile justice, teen parenting, and Special Juvenile Immigrant Status, housing and employment issues. Works with internal and external staff to identify solutions, and solicits policy and practice changes.
• Conducts literature reviews, data analysis, interviews, and other data collection to identify target populations and needs, identify evidence-based programs and services to address those populations and needs, and evaluate the fit and feasibility of potential programs and services. Writes and maintains comprehensive program manuals for assigned programs and services.
• Compiles programmatic reports, develops and monitoring goals, outcomes and benchmarks. Composes correspondence dealing with subject matter in ways that call for considerable discretion, judgment and negotiation authority, replying to inquiries, presenting or requesting information. SME with Guardian relating to programmatic needs.
• Facilitates and/or participates in program-related meetings, committees, and work groups with internal and external stakeholders on practice improvement initiatives. Provides technical assistance to field and external staff. Stays knowledgeable about current literature, and engages with national organizations. Participates in learning opportunities to maintain expertise on the latest evidence and practices in assigned programs or services.
• Provides subject matter expert input into DCS policy and procedures, practice guidelines, training curricula, and fiscal modeling related to assigned programs and services.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:

• Social services, federal, state and local programs and resources regarding area of assignment;
• Terminology of Arizona's child welfare system processes, including Youth Thrive Framework
• Juvenile Justice, teen parenting, immigration, housing and employment needs of older youth.
• DCS policies and procedures; child welfare policies; general policies pertaining to investigating reports of abuse/neglect;
• Trauma informed practice
• Group facilitation, conflict resolution
• DCS related programs; program planning; group dynamics; and evaluation process.

Skills in:

• Oral, written and interpersonal communication;
• Interviewing and eliciting information;
• Organization and management of workload;
• Problem identification and solutions;
• Decision making and conflict resolution;
• Facilitation and coordination of culturally diverse meetings;
• Following program policies and procedures, rules and regulations, group process, evaluation and interpretation;
• Interviewing; assessing safety and risk; and multi-tasking.
• Training and public speaking.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with DCS Specialists, other programs, agencies and departments.
• Write and speak with clarity and effectiveness.
• Represent and make appropriate decisions for DCS when working as a liaison in regard to interactions with DCS Staff, other agency personnel, and community partners and providers.
• Analyze complex and detailed information
• Organize, multi-task and prioritize work load.
• Make independent decisions and work under general supervision
• Collect, enter, and interpreter data

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, social work, psychology, counseling or other related fields with 3-5 years of experience in working directly with young people who have experienced systems of care. (Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the above mentioned fields will substitute for one year of experience.)

Must be able to secure and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card
Must be able to secure and maintain clearance from DCS Central Registry

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Geoff Partridge