Associate Commissioner (Assistant Deputy Commissioner)

About the role

The Assistant Deputy Commissioner supports the Deputy Commissioner in overseeing the state’s child welfare program, managing the 24‑hour child abuse hotline, supervising adult protective services, licensing domestic violence shelters and foster care providers, administering grants, and ensuring division operations meet federal standards while leading staff development and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Assist with oversight of the state’s child welfare program including child protective services, foster care and adoption services.
• Operate the state’s 24‑hour child abuse hotline.
• Manage the Protective Services Program for vulnerable adults.
• Provide licensure and oversight of Domestic Violence shelters and programs.
• Provide licensure and oversight of foster care and child welfare services delivered by non‑profits.
• Manage contracts and oversee a large portfolio of grant programs and services.
• Oversee daily operations and administration of the Division of Child Welfare and Community Services (CWCS) and assist in fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive work environment.
• Direct division operations, liaise with administrative staff, and troubleshoot division operational and administrative issues.
• Assist in maintaining federal standards compliance in all areas of CWCS.
• Review systems, practices and policies to ensure adherence to statutory and regulatory guidelines.
• Liaise with the Office of Research Evaluation and Performance Analytics (OREPA) to promote data‑informed decisions to guide practice and outcomes.
• Supervise the work of the division’s Associate Commissioners, troubleshoot issues, and elevate successes and problems as needed.
• Coordinate team‑building activities and professional development for all CWCS staff.
• Monitor the timeliness of division reviews of agency policies and regulations and responses to external inquiries.
• Collaborate with Human Resources on division personnel matters.
• Oversee staff performance evaluations, mandatory training requirements, and employee onboarding and offboarding.
• Lead division projects in collaboration with assigned parties.
• Participate in office leadership and decision‑making under the Deputy Commissioner’s direction.
• Assist in identifying key areas for process improvement across CWCS and work with staff to implement changes.
• Assist the Deputy in collaborating with external stakeholders (state, local agencies, advisory boards, etc.) to facilitate communication on child welfare and community services practices.
• Assist the Deputy in delivering presentations at local, state, and national conferences about innovative approaches in child welfare.
• Attend meetings in the absence of the Deputy Commissioner.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience in a child welfare or child abuse prevention or equivalent experience OR Master’s or post graduate degree with 7 years of experience in a child welfare or child abuse prevention or equivalent experience.

Skills

• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and change management skills.
• Experience in continuous quality improvement, data analysis and reporting.
• Demonstrated success in leading large projects.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.