Out of Home Care Program Specialist (PEI)
Apply NowCompany: Dane County, WI
Location: Madison, WI 53711
Description:
Salary: $41.61 - $55.41 Hourly
Location : Madison, WI
Job Type: Full time (1.0FTE)
Job Number: 2025-00212
Department: Human Services Department
Opening Date: 04/18/2025
Closing Date: 5/2/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 1871
Description
Dane County Department of Human Services, Prevention & Early Intervention Division (PEI) has a vacancy for a Out of Home Care Program Specialist in Madison, WI.
The Eligible List created from this posting may be used for future vacancies for the next six (6) months.
Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customers' needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION
Under the Supervision of the Out of Home Care Supervisor, coordinates, promotes, designs and leads all recruitment, retention, and training related activities for Dane County Department of Human Services (DCDHS) licensed out of home care providers. Maintains budget for foster care recruitment, retention and training activities including grant monitoring and reporting. Assists with promotional and supportive activities for the Kinship Care program. Acts as DCDHS liaison for statewide Out of Home Care-related meetings and activities.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Coordination of all out of home care provider recruitment including meeting with foster parent applicants, coordinating all recruitment efforts including all outreach, media, print, social media and targeted events. Lead all retention activities including but not limited to a large provider recognition event annually as well as ongoing retention activities such as individual recognition and newsletter creation and dissemination. Create and coordinate ongoing training opportunities for foster and kin/like-kin families, including working collaboratively with the Coalition of Children Youth and Families to ensure training offerings meet the needs of Dane County providers. Conduct foster parent applicant pre-screening for licensing. Act as main point of contact for Interstate Compact requests for foster care licensing in Dane County. Maintain Adam Walsh Fingerprint account in accordance with Federal Standards - act as liaison to Federal Bureau of Investigations on this topic. Allocate and manage all aspects of annual expense budget for training and recruitment activities for foster parents. Coordinate distribution of Kinship Care (KC) newsletters, electronically and via post. Assist with KC focused events; Represent Dane County Out of Home Care at State and Regional meetings
Education, Experience and Special Requirements
Education, Training and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelors or Master's degree in social work or related human services field OR any combination or training equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications or Public Relations and at least two years' experience working in a Human Services or closely related not-for-profit setting dedicated to serving children, youth and families especially related to Out of Home Care and Foster Care.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Wisconsin Driver's license (or eligibility for) and access to personal transportation are required.
Special Requirements:
Proficiency in Microsoft Suite products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required.
Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
For Bilingual Positions:
Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.). Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job.
*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/ examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position's bilingual designation.
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:
Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without adaptive devices. Ability to use finger, wrist, hand and arm motion. Ability to sit and stand. Ability to carry items up to 15lbs. Office environment. Must be available to work evenings or weekends approximately once per month. Occasional out of County travel.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of Out of Home Care specifically Foster Care and Kinship Care including licensing requirements and related statutes and Wisconsin administrative codes. Knowledge of recruitment and retention strategies. Knowledge of media outreach, public service announcements and media design. Skills in event planning and organization; participate in program evaluation and review. Ability to utilize data and spreadsheets. Effective oral and written communication skills and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively with multiple disciplines and jurisdictions. Ability to work effectively with diverse populations. Ability to manage multiple assignments. Ability to meet deadlines. Ability to collaborate effectively with other departments and divisions. Ability to think analytically and to creatively problem solve.
Become a part of the Dane County Team!
We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees/pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit
Bilingual Pay: Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.
Undesirable Hours Premium Pay: Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and/or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).
Paid Parental Leave: Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.
Caregiver Leave: Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.
Telecommuting: Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their workweek. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employee's department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.
Student Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
WI Retirement System: Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.
Like our Facebook page:
Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the 'here' links to this page:
01
Do you have any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelors or Master's degree in social work or related human services field OR any combination or training equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications or Public Relations and at least two years' experience working in a Human Services or closely related not-for-profit setting dedicated to serving children, youth and families especially related to Out of Home Care and Foster Care?
02
If you answered Yes to Question 1, please explain how you meet those requirements.
03
Did you use artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content or tools in any part of this position's job application process?
04
If you used AI-generated content or tools, do you have an approved request from Dane County's ADA Coordinator to do so?
05
If you used AI-generated content or tools to complete any part of the job application process, please list in which sections of the application process you did so, including responses to graded questions.
06
THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDPlease describe your experience as it relates to this position. Include relevant training and experience including degrees earned, certifications and/or licensing credentials. Please be specific about your experience within the child welfare system (Youth Justice or Child Protection), including personal and professional experiences, specially related to foster care, kinship and like-kin care, as well as Wisconsin's Families First initiative.
07
THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDPlease describe your experience presenting to a large group setting. Please describe strategies you have deployed to ensure your audience is engaged and understanding the information presented. Please provide at least two examples in which you effectively engaged your audience while presenting.
08
THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDThe Out of Home Care Program Specialist is responsible for the recruitment and retention of foster parents as well as support for kin and like-kin caregivers. The Out of Home Care Program Specialist is responsible for writing and disseminating a bi-monthly newsletter, media and social media outreach and planning caregiver appreciation events. Please describe your skills and experience related to these activities. Please specify if these are professional or volunteer activities.
Required Question
Location : Madison, WI
Job Type: Full time (1.0FTE)
Job Number: 2025-00212
Department: Human Services Department
Opening Date: 04/18/2025
Closing Date: 5/2/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 1871
Description
Dane County Department of Human Services, Prevention & Early Intervention Division (PEI) has a vacancy for a Out of Home Care Program Specialist in Madison, WI.
The Eligible List created from this posting may be used for future vacancies for the next six (6) months.
Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customers' needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION
Under the Supervision of the Out of Home Care Supervisor, coordinates, promotes, designs and leads all recruitment, retention, and training related activities for Dane County Department of Human Services (DCDHS) licensed out of home care providers. Maintains budget for foster care recruitment, retention and training activities including grant monitoring and reporting. Assists with promotional and supportive activities for the Kinship Care program. Acts as DCDHS liaison for statewide Out of Home Care-related meetings and activities.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Coordination of all out of home care provider recruitment including meeting with foster parent applicants, coordinating all recruitment efforts including all outreach, media, print, social media and targeted events. Lead all retention activities including but not limited to a large provider recognition event annually as well as ongoing retention activities such as individual recognition and newsletter creation and dissemination. Create and coordinate ongoing training opportunities for foster and kin/like-kin families, including working collaboratively with the Coalition of Children Youth and Families to ensure training offerings meet the needs of Dane County providers. Conduct foster parent applicant pre-screening for licensing. Act as main point of contact for Interstate Compact requests for foster care licensing in Dane County. Maintain Adam Walsh Fingerprint account in accordance with Federal Standards - act as liaison to Federal Bureau of Investigations on this topic. Allocate and manage all aspects of annual expense budget for training and recruitment activities for foster parents. Coordinate distribution of Kinship Care (KC) newsletters, electronically and via post. Assist with KC focused events; Represent Dane County Out of Home Care at State and Regional meetings
Education, Experience and Special Requirements
Education, Training and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelors or Master's degree in social work or related human services field OR any combination or training equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications or Public Relations and at least two years' experience working in a Human Services or closely related not-for-profit setting dedicated to serving children, youth and families especially related to Out of Home Care and Foster Care.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Wisconsin Driver's license (or eligibility for) and access to personal transportation are required.
Special Requirements:
Proficiency in Microsoft Suite products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required.
Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
For Bilingual Positions:
*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/ examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position's bilingual designation.
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:
Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without adaptive devices. Ability to use finger, wrist, hand and arm motion. Ability to sit and stand. Ability to carry items up to 15lbs. Office environment. Must be available to work evenings or weekends approximately once per month. Occasional out of County travel.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of Out of Home Care specifically Foster Care and Kinship Care including licensing requirements and related statutes and Wisconsin administrative codes. Knowledge of recruitment and retention strategies. Knowledge of media outreach, public service announcements and media design. Skills in event planning and organization; participate in program evaluation and review. Ability to utilize data and spreadsheets. Effective oral and written communication skills and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively with multiple disciplines and jurisdictions. Ability to work effectively with diverse populations. Ability to manage multiple assignments. Ability to meet deadlines. Ability to collaborate effectively with other departments and divisions. Ability to think analytically and to creatively problem solve.
Become a part of the Dane County Team!
We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees/pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit
Bilingual Pay: Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.
Undesirable Hours Premium Pay: Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and/or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).
Paid Parental Leave: Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.
Caregiver Leave: Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.
Telecommuting: Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their workweek. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employee's department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.
Student Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
WI Retirement System: Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.
Like our Facebook page:
Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the 'here' links to this page:
01
Do you have any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelors or Master's degree in social work or related human services field OR any combination or training equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications or Public Relations and at least two years' experience working in a Human Services or closely related not-for-profit setting dedicated to serving children, youth and families especially related to Out of Home Care and Foster Care?
- Yes
- No
02
If you answered Yes to Question 1, please explain how you meet those requirements.
03
Did you use artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content or tools in any part of this position's job application process?
- Yes
- No
04
If you used AI-generated content or tools, do you have an approved request from Dane County's ADA Coordinator to do so?
- Yes
- No
05
If you used AI-generated content or tools to complete any part of the job application process, please list in which sections of the application process you did so, including responses to graded questions.
06
THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDPlease describe your experience as it relates to this position. Include relevant training and experience including degrees earned, certifications and/or licensing credentials. Please be specific about your experience within the child welfare system (Youth Justice or Child Protection), including personal and professional experiences, specially related to foster care, kinship and like-kin care, as well as Wisconsin's Families First initiative.
07
THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDPlease describe your experience presenting to a large group setting. Please describe strategies you have deployed to ensure your audience is engaged and understanding the information presented. Please provide at least two examples in which you effectively engaged your audience while presenting.
08
THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDThe Out of Home Care Program Specialist is responsible for the recruitment and retention of foster parents as well as support for kin and like-kin caregivers. The Out of Home Care Program Specialist is responsible for writing and disseminating a bi-monthly newsletter, media and social media outreach and planning caregiver appreciation events. Please describe your skills and experience related to these activities. Please specify if these are professional or volunteer activities.
Required Question