Program Director

Universal Home Visiting

(Posting #045-23)

Be a part of a groundbreaking program which will change the long-term health and well-being for New Jersey families and reduce disparities in maternal and child health!

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) seeks a dynamic leader for its newly established Universal Home Visiting (UHV) program. DCF is currently in the planning stage for this program which will be available to all New Jersey families who have recently had a baby, adopted a newborn, or began fostering a newborn, as well as parents experiencing a stillbirth. Families that participate in the Universal Home Visiting Program will receive a visit with a registered nurse or advanced practice nurse in the comfort of their home at no cost to the family. Nurses will provide maternal and newborn health assessments to ensure everyone’s well-being, provide information on infant care, support for those breastfeeding, and help with getting connected to resources that families may need to adjust to life with a newborn. New Jersey will be only the second state in the nation to offer such a program to its residents.

This position is an integral member of the leadership team for DCF, one of the nation’s premier child and family serving agencies responsible for the State’s child welfare and child protection systems, child maltreatment prevention systems,  New Jersey’s system to provide treatment and allied services to support children with significant behavioral health challenges and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities (NJ Children’s System of Care), and New Jersey’s statewide network of domestic violence and sexual assault programing.

The Program Director will utilize content-based knowledge, strong management skills and creativity to serve as a visionary implementer of this innovative new program.  The Program Director will report to the Assistant Director of the Office of Early Childhood Services, within DCF’s Division of Family and Community Partnerships.

This position may be eligible to work remotely for up to two days in a calendar week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Provide overall expertise, direction and coordination for the UHV Program, including leading a multidisciplinary team

* Plan, develop and implement the UHV program with input from stakeholders, the model developer, and agency leadership

* Coordinate teams of appropriate staff and stakeholders to develop policies and priorities for a culturally competent UHV program responsive to the needs of New Jersey residents

* Provide technical assistance to UHV local service providers related to program delivery and model adherence

* Serve as the technical expert for the program in state-level home visiting work.  Training in the evidence-based model being utilized will be provided to the selected candidate.

* Build relationships with clinical stakeholders in coordination with other members of program leadership to identify champions for the program and promote the program

* Lead the development of implementation guidelines, standards and trainings to support the service providers and partners who carry out the programs.

* Collaborate with others in the maternal child health space to integrate UHV into New Jersey’s established system of early childhood services using skills in consensus building, collaboration, mediation, and strategic planning.

* Provide support and expertise to agency leadership related to any legislative activity regarding home visiting

* Participate in the Advisory Group for the program and other workgroups and advisory boards

* Work closely with DCF staff, program evaluator, model developer, and local community partners in developing, implementing, and evaluating the UHV program.

* This position is based in Trenton, NJ with possibility of telework two days per week.

* Occasional travel (primarily in state) will be required for this position. 

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION: A Master's degree in either Nursing or Public Health and four years of recent (within the last ten years) nursing experience OR a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and five years of recent (within the last ten years) nursing experience.

LICENSE: Possession of an unencumbered Registered Nursing license or Advanced Practice Nursing license is required, with eligibility to obtain an RN or APN in the State of New Jersey if current licensure is from out of state or expired.  An active NJ license must be in place prior to employment. 

EXPERIENCE: Recent experience and expertise in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Family Medicine, Public Health or a closely related field. Successful candidates will possess at least two (2) years of nurse supervising, administrative or teaching experience. 

The preferred candidate shall possess the following:

* Experience using electronic medical records and or other data information systems

* Experience in home visiting program models or service delivery in maternal and child health

* Experience in policy development and program implementation

* Experience within New Jersey highly preferred

SKILLS:

* Demonstrated skills in leadership, relationship building, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with peers and with stakeholders both within and outside one’s organization.

* Competency in areas including designing and leading innovative initiatives in a transparent and inclusive way that builds on team assets; strategic thinking and planning; expertise in maternal and child health issues; understanding of culturally competent practices; collaboration and teamwork; managing to results; writing and presentation skills; partnership development; ability to effectively lead and work in a multi-disciplinary team, including contractors; strength in building consensus.

RESUME NOTE: Eligibility determinations will be based upon information presented on the resume only. Applicants who possess a degree from a college or university outside the United States must provide an evaluation of one’s transcripts from a recognized evaluation service at the time of submission by the above closing date. Failure to do so may result in your ineligibility.

LICENSE: Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

SAME APPLICANTS: If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml , email: SAME@csc.nj.gov , or call CSC at (833) 691-0404.

RESIDENCY LAW: Please refer to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families’ website at www.state.nj.us/dcf.

SALARY: Commensurate with education and experience.

TO APPLY: You must submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document, saving the file by your Last Name, First Name. Please indicate in your cover letter the Posting # and where you found this job opportunity. Send the file to:

Job.Posting@dcf.nj.gov

The Department of Children and Families is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment which reflects the diversity of the state we serve.