Deputy Ombudsman - Idaho Division of Human Resources : Job Details

Deputy Ombudsman

Posting Begin Date: 2024/12/17

Posting End Date: 2025/01/03

Category: Human Services

Sub Category: Management

Work Type: Full Time

Location: Boise, ID, United States

Minimum Salary: 34.25

Maximum Salary: 38.46

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

State of Idaho Opportunity

Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

Summary:

The Office of Health and Social Services Ombudsman is seeking a skilled and motivated professional to join our team as a Deputy Ombudsman. This position offers the opportunity to directly contribute to improving the child protection system in Idaho by evaluating and resolving complaints, monitoring cases, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. As a Deputy Ombudsman, you will operate independently while working under the overall direction of the Ombudsman to provide vital support in the delivery of public services.

A Successful Candidate is:

+ A Customer Service Champion: You'll interact with clients, providing vital information, resources, and education with a focus on quality service and effective solutions.

+ An Effective Communicator: Strong oral and written communication skills are key in delivering clear reports and concise documentation.

+ A Team Player: Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. You'll work alongside others to ensure the best outcomes for our clients while embracing diversity and building strong, professional relationships.

+ A Master of Organization: Time management is crucial, and you must be able to meet deadlines awhile staying organized and efficient.

+ Reliable and Honest: We need someone who follow through on commitments, is dependable, and acts with integrity in every interaction

+ A Problem-Solver: You'll seek out and implement effective solutions to resolve client concerns promptly and professionally.

Job Responsibilities:

+ Case Management & Operations:

+ Independently review and assess complaints and cases, focusing on child welfare issues, including foster care, residential treatment for children, and parental rights.

+ Manage a full caseload, averaging 25 cases, ensuring through analysis and resolution of each case in a timely manner

+ Identify applicable laws, regulations, and practices, making decisions based on independent, substantial analysis of the issues presented.

+ Customer Service

+ Receive complaint and inquiries from the public, providing phone coverage for Client Services during business hours.

+ Educate clients about agency practices, procedures, and jurisdiction in an easily understandable manner, enabling meaningful engagement

+ Analysis & Reporting:

+ Collect, analyze, and interpret information from external sources such as child welfare records, court records, and relevant laws

+ Draft written report, including case summaries, briefs, blogs, and policy recommendations based on individual case assignment and trends

+ Quality Assurance:

+ Monitor cases for trends and possible systemic issues, bringing concerns and recommendation forward to the Ombudsman.

+ Provide inputs on potential improvements to agency practices, regulations, and polices

Minimum Qualifications:

Some knowledge of management practices and experience demonstrating: technical proficiency, problem-solving, communication, and program area training.

Minimum qualifications are typically gained by at least 5 years of relevant employment experience.

Acceptable relevant experience may include:

+ Child welfare social caseworker or supervisor experience and knowledge of Idaho's child protection system.

+ Investigative work for public or private agencies with experience and knowledge of Idaho's child protection system.

+ News reporting for which one of the responsibilities involved investigative reporting and working knowledge of government agencies.

+ Work in the legal profession, including attorneys and paralegals with experience and knowledge of Idaho's child protection system.

+ Conflict resolution experience, including mediators and facilitators.

Desired qualifications:

+ Seven to ten years in an applicable field, including, but not limited to, social and behavioral sciences, public administration, the legal profession, quality assurance, journalism and communications.

+ Knowledge of the Department of Health and Welfare youth services to include organizational structure, divisions, and duties.

+ Spanish language fluency

The successful candidate must successfully pass a background check and be able to travel to facilities to meet with youth, attend external stakeholder events and out-of-town meetings and trainings. This position requires in-office work at the Borah Building in Boise, Idaho on either a hybrid telecommuting schedule or full-time basis.

Benefits:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) ###-#### (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.