Title: Adoption Compliance Consultant #W1487 (REPOST) State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist II Hiring Range: $72,000 - $80,000/yr. Pay Band: 5 Agency: Department of Social Services Location: DSS HOME OFFICE Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov Recruitment Type: General Public - G Job Duties At the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve. We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency - one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia - partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them. In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching - Employee Benefits. The Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Family Services (DFS) is currently seeking an Adoption Compliance Consultant. The Central Region Program Specialist will provide supervision, consultation and support to Local Departments of Social Services related to the negotiation of KinGap, State Funded Kinship, Adoption Assistance Agreements and as well as post adoption supports and services. These positions are established to ensure the provision of section 63.2-1302, Code of Virginia, the Department of Social Services shall negotiate all adoption agreements with both existing and prospective adoptive parents on behalf of local departments of social services. The position will determine and ensure the financial and/or kind of subsidy is appropriate given the child's need and the circumstances of the parents. The negotiators shall assess whether the child will qualify for a subsidy (kinship or adoption assistance according to policy. Specific to adoption assistance, the negotiators will assess whether the child will qualify and the monetary value of the services when negotiating the amount it will pay in adoption assistance payments to adoptive parents. The negotiating process will look at the overall needs, resources and circumstances of the family and then find some middle or acceptable point at which to set the rate. The position will work collaboratively with their regional peers to achieve DFS goals as outlined in the DFS five-year strategic plan, specifically any measures related to timely permanency for foster care children and youth with the goal of adoption. Frequent travel may be required. Minimum Qualifications * Comprehensive experience in child welfare with considerable experience in adoption, adoption assistance, and post adoption. * Experience in public relations, mediation, community collaborations, and training. * Ability to analyze information, draw conclusions and develop and implement a planned course of action. * Ability to develop and deliver policy, procedural and automated systems training to individuals with varying levels of adoption program knowledge. * Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. * Provide guidance, training, technical assistance, and support to local departments of social services and community partners to ensure quality, efficiency and accountability related to adoption, adoption assistance negotiations, post adoption services, development and support. * Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload. Additional Considerations * Experience in counseling and mediation preferred. Special Instructions You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position. Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks. VDSS will record information from each new employee's Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization. Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. Frequent in-state, overnight travel may be required. Selected candidate(s) may be required to use their personal vehicle or state vehicle as available for business use. To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line "Virginia Jobs" (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce. VDSS does not provide sponsorship. VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process. If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the "Virginia Jobs" (PageUp) employment site when you apply. Contact Information Name: VDSS - Division of Human Resources Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019. Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.