Posting Details
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
THE INCUMBENT FOR THIS POSITION MAY BE HOUSED IN ANY OFFICE ACROSS THE STATE DEPENDING ON DIVISION and PROGRAM NEEDS.
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED IN ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL ALL POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED.
- APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH and YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*
Why does the job exist?
The incumbent in this position will provide direct supervision and oversight to the Adoption and Retention Specialists. The incumbent supervises adoption recruitment, matching, adoption case consultation, documentation, trainings to aide staff in development and job knowledge, stakeholder coordination, and post-adoption support referrals. The incumbent in this position will supervise adoption specialist staff who have regular interactions with multiple internal and external stakeholders, multi-disciplinary teams, private adoption agencies, community partners, adoptive families, and legally freed children/youth with complex trauma histories and needs. The supervisor will provide strategic oversight, quality assurance, timely case progression monitoring, and consistent support to ensure compliance with CYFD policy, procedure, and best practice.
How does it get done?
Key responsibilities for the incumbent in this position include but not limited to:
Direct supervision and oversight to the Adoption and Retention Specialists
Oversight of recruitment and matching activities
Monitor documentation and timely input into the centralized case management and data reporting system
Quality review of case consultation and critical decision-making
Coaching, adoption training, and staff development
Program leadership and collaboration
Post adoption referral assignment and supervision oversight
Data review and outcome monitoring
Conflict resolution and escalation support
Ensure compliance with policy, procedure, and best practice
Who are the customers?
The job primary serves children and youth in the foster care system who are legally freed for adoption and do not have an identified adoptive resource. Every recruitment effort, matching decision, placement activity, and support service exists to promote the child/youth well-being, permanency, and long-term stability in a safe and nurturing adoptive home. Additionally, the role serves several secondary customers to include prospective adoptive parents, post-adoptive families, child welfare staff who rely on expert consultation during key decision-making points, community partners and private adoption agencies.
Ideal Candidate
The job primary serves children and youth in the foster care system who are legally freed for adoption and do not have an identified adoptive resource. Every recruitment effort, matching decision, placement activity, and support service exists to promote the child/youth well-being, permanency, and long-term stability in a safe and nurturing adoptive home. Additionally, the role serves several secondary customers to include prospective adoptive parents, post-adoptive families, child welfare staff who rely on expert consultation during key decision-making points, community partners and private adoption agencies.
Minimum Qualification
Master's Degree in Social Work, Guidance and Counseling, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, or Criminology from an accredited college/university and two (2) years of any combination of experience including working with communities, working on health or social service-related matters, social work/case management experience, behavioral health, and/or health care. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field above licensure requirements and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience. May require a current license in New Mexico as a Doctoral Level Psychologist, Psychologist Associate, LCSW LISW, LMSW, LPC, LPCC, LMHC, LPAT or LMFT or eligibility for such licensure in accordance with New Mexico requirements.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting with regular periods of video/video display terminal (VDT), keyboard usage, and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Possible exposure to irate clientele. Travel is required. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints.
Supplemental Information
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Agency Contact Information: Amanda Vanderwagen, (575) 728-4776. Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
