Child, Youth, and Family Advocate

Overview
The Office of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate is seeking its first Director. This newly established office was designed to promote and advocate for the welfare of children and youths receiving services directly, or through funds provided by the Department for Children and Families and for those involved in the child protection and juvenile justice systems. This position provides an opportunity to improve child, youth, and family well being with attention to eliminating disparate outcomes.

Responsibilities may include:
Work in collaboration to strengthen services for children, youths, and families;

Analyze and monitor the development and implementation of federal, State, and local laws; regulations; and policies relating to child, youth, and family welfare and recommend changes;

Review complaints concerning the actions of the Department and of any entity that provides services to children, youths, and families through funds provided by the Department; make appropriate referrals; and respond to those complaints where the Advocate determines that a child, youth, or family may be in need of assistance from the Office;

Support children, youths, and families by providing information about service recipients’ rights and responsibilities;

Provide systemic information concerning child, youth, and family welfare to the public, the Governor, State agencies, legislators, and others, as necessary; and

Submit to the General Assembly and the Governor each year a report addressing services provided by the Department:

(A) the conditions of placements for Vermont’s children and youths;

(B) findings related to services for and assistance to children, youths, and families within the child protection and juvenile justice systems;

(C) recommendations related to improving services for children, youths, and families; and

(D) data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, disability status, and any other categories that the Advocate deems necessary.

Who May Apply
This position, Child, Youth, and Family Advocate (Job Requisition #43062) , is open to all State employees and external applicants.

If you would like more information about this position, please contact melissa.mazza-paquette@vermont.gov .

Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.
Additional details
The Oversight Commission on Children, Youths, and Families shall recommend qualified applicants for the position of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate to the Governor for consideration. The Child, Youth, and Family Advocate will work to appoint a Deputy Child, Youth, and Family Advocate as well as an Advisory Council to provide guidance to the Office. The Advisory Council’s membership shall reflect the growing diversity of Vermont’s children and families, including individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color, as well as with regard to socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender, sexual identity, and disability status. In collaboration, the Office will work to strengthen services for children, youths, and families in Vermont.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will be qualified based on reason of education, expertise, and experience and who may have a professional degree in law, social work, public health, or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications

Experience with public speaking and media interactions.

Experience working with those who are actively experiencing toxic stress.

Knowledge relevant to addressing social and racial inequities and adverse childhood experiences of children and youth in Vermont’s child protection system.

Ability to work with many stakeholders including children, youth, families, foster families, kinship families, service providers, GALS, and state employees.

Compensation
This is an exempt, full-time, position.
Relocation Assistance
Reimbursement for relocation expenses may be available to a successful candidate who must relocate from outside of the state of Vermont. To learn more about Vermont, candidates are encouraged to explore thinkvermont.com and the Stay to Stay program at https://vermontvacation.com/staytostay .
Equal Opportunity Employer The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.