Office of Children & Families - Dependency Court Analyst

Description

AOPC’s Office of Children and Families in the Courts seeks to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and permanent family. Their team of eight professionals assists and supports judicial districts in the identification and implementation of best practices that promote safety, well-being, and timely permanence for dependent children. Since 2006, OCFC has helped save $83 million annually through a 30% decrease in the number of children awaiting permanency. In addition, OCFC supports the Children’s Roundtable Initiative – a three-tiered infrastructure that allows for effective administration and communication between local, regional, and statewide representatives with expertise in dependency matters. Statewide workgroups are convened to study and relay findings and recommendations about a specific area of dependency and child wellbeing – recent workgroup topics include hearing officer education; trauma; drug and alcohol; dependency bench book; and congregate care. In recognition of the integral role courts play in charting the course for children who are the subject of abuse, neglect, foster care, termination of parental rights and adoption proceedings, OCFC is primarily funded by a federal grant. The program provides resources and technical assistance to enhance and promote innovation in court operations and practices.

Primary Duties

• Primary responsibility will be to assist in the leadership of dependency court improvements as well as oversight of county, regional and statewide activities; also, will serve as liaison to assigned Family Engagement Initiative counties, Leadership Roundtables and local Children’s Roundtables.
• Facilitates partnerships between judges, court managers, Office of Children, Youth & Family Services staff, and other agency staff.
• Provides oversight and management to Children’s Roundtables, working closely with local teams to facilitate practices that promote safe permanency and positive well-being for children.
• Supports the implementation of statewide Child Welfare Court Improvement Program initiatives, including conferences and educational symposiums.
• Develops, facilitates and participates in collaborations between the courts and child welfare agencies to identify gaps and barriers effecting child safety, well-being, permanency and the promotion of strong families; strengthens communication and integration between partners.
• Provides expertise regarding compliance with the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Title IV-E, the Child and Family Services Review, Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure, State Permanency Law and other statutory and regulatory mandates affecting court cases.
• Manages and facilitates activities and meetings of assigned Leadership Roundtables.
• Collaborates with colleagues to ensure data is provided in a timely and user-friendly manner. Takes lead in developing data packets for Family Engagement Initiative Counties and other activities.
• Analyzes data; develops and implements strategies and monitors program outcomes.
• Presents at training initiatives pertaining to CIP activities and State Roundtable priorities.
• Prepares written reports on assigned State Roundtable, Leadership Roundtables and other activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or Public Administration, and three years professional experience involving program analysis.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience, or training may be considered.

Additional Requirements/Preferences

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Public Administration, Public Policy, or related field preferred.
• Experience in dependency court operations, social work, public policy reform, or related field preferred.
• Experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint preferred.
• Occasional overnight statewide travel required. Valid driver’s license required.
• Satisfactory criminal background check required.
• Writing sample submission required.

Additional Information

• Position can be located in Pittsburgh or Harrisburg.
• Work hours are 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday, with one hour for lunch.
• Telework is available up to two days per week.
• Excellent benefits program including comprehensive, low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans for employees and eligible family members beginning on the first day of employment; 13 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days, and 12+ paid vacation days per year; salary increases; student loan forgiveness plan; employee assistance programs; and retirement plans.

Unified Judicial System Hiring Policy

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania recruits, employs, and promotes the most qualified applicants without regard to their political affiliation, race, color, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, or other non-merit facts or considerations. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants with disabilities as may be necessary to ensure that all applicants are given a fair and equal opportunity to compete for all employment positions. Applicants who need accommodation for an interview should request so in advance. UJS hiring and employment policies and procedures are intended to conform to all applicable state and federal laws governing fair and non-discriminatory hiring and employment practices and are subject to change as necessary to remain in compliance with such laws.

Applicants requiring accommodation, for any part of the application and/or interview process, should contact Human Resources at (717) 231-3309 or human.resources@pacourts.us.