Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, analytical, results-oriented professional with excellent written and oral communication skills to serve as Regional Racial Equity Enhancement Administrator. Under the administrative direction of the Director of the Office of Racial Equity Practice, this position will plan, implement, evaluate, and manage the implementation of the statewide Agency Racial Equity Plan and related activities and initiatives in the Northern Region. The position will lead regional assessments of institutional systems and structures, racial impact assessments, and collaborations with internal and external multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders in the region to identify root causes of racial inequities in the work place and racially disparate outcomes for youth and families of color who are DCFS-involved. The position will create, implement, and evaluate concrete remedial strategies with measurable outcomes and target resources to address them, including the collection and analysis of disaggregated data from all Agency Divisions and external stakeholders to measure progress. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is dedicated to figuring out solutions to complex problems. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program.  The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent analytical, project management, and interpersonal communication skills and strong leadership capabilities.  We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Regional Racial Equity Enhancement Administrator for Northern Region
• Leads, manages, facilitates, and evaluates the work of regional internal and external inter-disciplinary teams involved with identifying the root causes of racially disparate and inequitable outcomes for employees, DCFS involved youth and families, foster parents, and providers of color in the region and recommending remedial measures
• Facilitates, monitors, and manages the implementation of the Racial Equity Plan and related initiatives, activities, and events in the region in collaboration with regional program staff, administrators, purchase of service management, court stakeholders, and other racial equity partners
• Collaborates with the Director of the Office of Racial Equity Practice to gather and analyze disaggregated data from all Agency Divisions, purchase of service agencies, and other external stakeholders to assess racial inequities and disparities, measure progress of the Racial Equity Plan implementation and effectiveness in the region, areas in need of continued intervention, and to implement approved remedial strategies in the region
• Advises the Director of the Office of Racial Equity Practice on the development and analysis of legislation, rules, policies, procedures, and practices which impact racial equity in the region
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires an MSW or a master's degree in a related human services field from a recognized college or university.
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative child welfare experience with an MSW, OR four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience with a master’s degree in a related human services field.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years of professional experience in a public or private organization engaging external institutional systems and structures to identify and address barriers to equal access, opportunity, and outcomes, including but not limited to educational, juvenile justice, healthcare, judicial, criminal justice, and economic systems
• 3 years of professional experience in a public or private organization analyzing data and developing assessments
• 3 years of professional experience in a public or private organization conducting racial equity impact assessments of rules, polices, and procedures
• 3 years of professional experience in a public or private organization in the development and implementation of strategies to address issues facing the organization
• 3 years of professional experience in a public or private organization serving in a liaison capacity with external entities

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires ability to pass a background check
2. Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
3. The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children.  We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.  The Office of Employee Services works in a supportive capacity by managing human resources functions to enable front line workers to fulfill the Department’s mission of providing services for children and youth.