State of Rhode Island

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The Office of the Child Advocate ensures the protection of the legal, civil and special rights of the children in the care of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. The office also represents the interests of children who are in voluntary placement with the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Duties to include any and all activities necessary to fulfill the statutory mandates of the Office of the Child Advocate statute.

Illustrative Examples of Work Performed

• Track all data pertaining to the work completed within the OCA and external data as assigned by the Child Advocate, including collecting all performance measure data for the OCA and submit to OMB. This includes developing and implementing effective tracking systems for the OCA.
• Track all proposed legislation and committee hearings which will have an impact on children in the state of Rhode Island and assist the Child Advocate in preparing testimony for legislative advocacy initiatives.
• Attend legislative hearings and meetings, as assigned and assist the Child Advocate in scheduling meetings with legislators and community partners.
• Collaborate with the Child Advocate in setting the legislative goals for the OCA to determine the best way to meet the needs of children experiencing the child welfare system.
• Participate in the OCA Child Fatality and Near Fatality Panel, including conducting research on relevant issues and assisting the Child Advocate with drafting the final report.
• Track, draft, and submit feedback on policy changes on DCYF Department Operating Procedures and in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act through the Secretary of State. This includes analysis of proposed policy changes.
• Utilize data and research on best practice to assist the Child Advocate with policy reform, legislative advocacy, and other projects as assigned.
• Track systemic issues and trends impacting the child welfare, juvenile justice, and children’s behavioral health systems and assist the Child Advocate in determining next steps to address these issues.
• Assist the Child Advocate in coordinating public education presentations, conducting presentations, and debriefing following to determine the systemic issues and trends that need to be addressed by the OCA.
• Act as the main point of contact for the OCA’s Advisory Committee along with the Child Advocate, Committee Chairperson, and Vice Committee Chairperson to carry out the statutory duties of the committee.
• Coordinate all social media for the OCA, including posts, monitoring for information, and tracking data.
• Serve as the lead point of contact for media inquiries in collaboration with the Child Advocate, including drafting statements, preparing and distributing press releases, public reports, briefs, and other, as assigned by the Child Advocate.
• Collaborate with the Child Advocate and Assistant Child Advocate on drafting and releasing the OCA’s Annual Report.

Required Qualifications for Appointment

Such as may have been gained through: A Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Work with a Macro Concentration, Non-Profit Studies and five (5) years of relevant experience OR;

A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Work with a Macro Concentration or Non-Profit Studies and eight (8) years of relevant experience.

Or: any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.