Director of Special Investigations Unit

Job Description

The Department of Children and Families is seeking an experienced and dedicated individual to fill the role of Director for the Special Investigations Unit. In this role, the Director will be responsible for translating the mission and vision of the Department through managing and monitoring all clinical and administrative operations of the Special Investigations Unit. This specialized unit is responsible for conducting screening and responses in accordance with Department policy regarding licensed institutional abuse allegations to include conflict of interest cases.

The selected candidate will operationalize Department policy and procedures into a social service delivery system, with services provided by DCF social workers and private contracted providers, toward the goal of strengthening families and ensuring children are protected from abuse or neglect. The Director is accountable for making the most effective and efficient use of financial and human resources in carrying out the Department's mission.

The Director for Special Investigations maintains standards and policies to improve the quality of special investigations for DCF. In this capacity the Director for Special Investigations manages the development of practices and protocols for all investigations, provides guidance to the Regional and Area Staff on special investigations procedures and monitors case practice concerns. The Director of Special Investigations is charged with responsibilities that relate to being a liaison to multiple disciplinary teams. The Director for Special Investigations exercises oversight for the monitoring and implementation of practices in special investigations. It is inherent upon this role to put forth a collaborative effort toward the improvement of monitoring systems and overall practices for the Special Investigations Unit.

This strategic manager collaborates with the Associate Deputy Commissioner for Field Operations in providing support to the Deputy Commissioner for Field Operations. The Director for Special Investigations provides support to the five Regional Offices, 29 Area Offices, and Central Office staff.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Ensure all agency clinical policies, procedures, and regulations are known and practiced appropriately by all SIU staff.
• Direct the monitoring and implementation of practices in special investigations that include intake screening and response of institutional and conflict cases. Monitor the writing, analysis, and timeliness of reports and hold accountability for statistical record keeping.
• Hold responsibility for protective investigation services for "conflict of interest" situations (DCF staff and their immediate household members where they are the alleged perpetrator of abuse or neglect)
• Provide support and guidance to the SIU team on high profile and complex cases.
• Direct and manage SIU budget within prescribed allocation, monitor and analyze service and administrative expenditures as well as develop and implement systems and strategies to correct deficits.
• Hold monthly management, supervisors, and staff meetings, to offer direction, guidance, and support in each of the area offices.
• Responsible for recruitment, hiring, training and ongoing evaluation of staff, including implementation of progressive disciplinary actions.
• Complete all necessary reports, answer correspondence, and respond to consumer requests and grievances.
• Maintains collaboration with the Director for Case Investigations discussing case situations that may need escalation for further investigation of case practice or employee related matters.
• Develop a working relationship with local union representatives through regular meetings and joint problem solving.
• Maintain collaborative working relationship with the area board in each area office as well as develop and maintain working relationships with sister-agencies (EEC, DPH, DMH, DYS, and DDS) local community stakeholders, provider network and local legislators as necessary.
• Provides functional support to Sexual Abuse Intervention Network (SAIN) Teams, Regional Directors and Field Operations regarding practices, procedures, and protocols for special investigations.
• Manage contracts for the Judge Baker Center Emergency Line and statewide District Attorney Offices.
• Provides after-hours on-call support to the Judge Baker Center Emergency Line as well as to Regional and Area Office staff when necessary.
• Create systemic change in the treatment of children by addressing perpetrators of abuse in institutions via the proper authorities. Coordinate with law enforcement and licensing agencies and ensure critical and appropriate action is taken. Coordinate joint investigations, when necessary, with the Department of Early Education and Care and the Special Investigations Unit.
• Ensure casework practices are in accordance with interagency agreements negotiated by the Department.
• Develop and coordinate all RFP'S for contracted services and negotiate with selected vendors.
• Monitor agency programs and initiatives to ensure appropriate implementation.
• Provide staff with appropriate training and information regarding all policy and practice changes.

• Robust and demonstrated understanding of child welfare practice principles and the impact of adverse childhood experiences.
• An understanding, both clinically and legally, of child abuse and neglect.
• Capacity to think critically, and ability to nurture critical thinking skills among staff.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (written and verbal) with children, families, resource parents, contracted providers, and DCF staff.
• Ability to manage projects and time effectively and set and implement priorities.
• Recognition and understanding of the impact of implicit bias and racial disparity in practice and decision-making.
• Proven ability to supervise staff and possess strong organizational skills.
• Ability to act as a community leader with public and private agencies concerning child welfare issues.
• An ability to provide crisis intervention and effective problem-solving
• Ability to develop and monitor budgets and contracts with community partners.