Social Services Program Analyst

Description and Functions Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The State of Wyoming’s Department of Family Services is seeking a Social Services Lead Worker. This position is crucial for managing high and very high‑risk family caseloads, with a core focus on building family capacity to care for children within their homes safely. The Lead Worker will facilitate safety interventions and community collaboration, and support foster care providers, including relative caregivers.

Key responsibilities include conducting safety and risk assessments, developing and implementing safety plans, and providing ongoing and crisis case management. The role also involves serving as a coaching resource and mentor for newer workers, particularly in assessing risk and safety during home visits with an emphasis on maintaining children’s safety in the home.

Benefits: That’s why we offer:

• Competitive Compensation
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• State Retirement Plan
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• A potential hybrid remote work arrangement is available

Human Resource Contact:
Michelle Johnson /

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed in the job level.

• Responsible for administering social services and juvenile services programs.
• Manages one or more statewide or agency-wide social services or juvenile program(s).
• Determines program goals and objectives and/or chairs committees established to support the program.
• Develops and coordinates program(s) activities, services, and/or implementation with private providers, other governmental entities, program users, etc.
• Monitors and evaluates operations, programs, processes, and/or practices for quality and effectiveness; makes recommendations for improvement.
• Develops and coordinates plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision, and expectations of the agency or program.
• Responds to questions from clients and the general public.
• Draws down and manages federal funds.
• Reviews and monitors determinations made by the field staff in protection cases in regards to safety, permanency, and well‑being.
• Provides technical/functional supervision to line staff through training, consultation on program(s) related to policies, updated plans, priorities, processes, practices, etc.
• Responsible for analyzing, researching, developing, and implementing statewide social services programs.
• Writes and revises program policy and procedures; trains and monitors policy implementation.
• Develops, maintains, and coordinates staff training for department personnel.
• Monitors the RFP process.

In addition to the duties of a Social Services Worker, the lead worker will manage and/or provide consultation for high and very‑high‑risk cases, including investigations and assessments. Utilise Motivational Interviewing (MI) in gathering information for reports and building rapport. Support training and development of Motivational Interviewing (MI) for the office. Conduct safety and risk assessments and family assessments with an emphasis on creating plans to maintain children safely in their homes.

Conduct initial and ongoing face‑to‑face contact with children and adults involved in reports, assessing safety, risk, service needs, and strengths of all family members. Develop and implement safety plans and case service plans in collaboration with families and other professionals. Provide ongoing and crisis case management for voluntary and court‑ordered services. Address family dynamics such as safety, risk, poverty, housing, medical care, mental health, employment, education, financial concerns, and substance abuse.

Provide families with appropriate referrals to satisfy needs and accomplish goals. Ensure clients are connected with community resources to support their safety and well‑being. Under the guidance of a Social Services Supervisor, act as a coaching resource for new workers by specifically providing best‑practice coaching and training on risk and safety, including accompanying new workers on visits where risk and safety are being assessed with a focus on maintaining children safely in the home…