189-26 Government Representative 1 "CoQI Manager"

DEFINITION: The Department of Children and Families (DCF), Office of Quality seeks an accomplished leader to serve as CoQI Manager for DCF’s Collaborative Quality Improvement (CoQI) processes. Reporting to the Assistant Director of OOQ, the CoQI Manager provides oversight of CoQI implementation and directly supervises 3–5 CoQI Sr. Team Leads and CoQI Team Leads. 

The CoQI Manager provides leadership and oversight of DCF’s CoQI infrastructure across Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P), Children’s System of Care (CSOC), Division on Women (DOW), and Family Community Partnership (FCP). At this time, three CoQI Managers together support the full statewide scope of the CoQI program under the direction of OOQ leadership. 

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, excellent attention to detail, deep expertise in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) or Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA), strong communication skills, the ability to speak publicly, and demonstrated project management experience with a proven track record in organizational change management. The CoQI Manager will integrate the Department’s mission of empowering New Jersey residents to be safe, healthy, and connected through core approaches including honoring lived expertise, promoting healing-centered practices, ensuring collaborative safety, championing evidence-informed decision making, and building meaningful partnerships with stakeholders.

NOTE: Applicants are required to submit a completed State of New Jersey Application (DPF-663.pdf) for Employment with their resume at the time of application. Failure to do so will result in disqualification for this position.

RESONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:

Program Implementation & Oversight 

• Develop, manage, and oversee CoQI processes and project deliverables in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. 

• Provide guidance and strategic direction on CoQI implementation across multiple divisions and programs within the assigned portfolio. 

• Establish and measure CoQI performance using appropriate systems, tools, and techniques. 

• Direct the tracking, analysis, and synthesis of patterns and trends from CoQI processes to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness statewide. 

• Conduct regular monitoring of CoQI cycle deliverables (Priority Selection, IPS, Check-in, Peer Learning, and Final Review) across all assigned Sr. Team Lead and Team Lead portfolios. 

• Review, finalize, and escalate systemic issues identified across CoQI cycles; meet with relevant leadership to develop action plans. 

• Approve CoQI deliverables including Priority Selection presentations, Improvement Planning Session materials, and Final Review documents

Supervision & Staff Development 

• Supervise, evaluate, and develop a team of 3–5 CoQI Sr. Team Leads and CoQI Team Leads. 

• Hold regular supervisory 1:1 meetings to communicate expectations, review deliverables, and develop staff. 

• Conduct ePAR performance evaluations and provide timely, concrete feedback. • Develop and implement performance improvement plans for staff in identified areas of growth. 

• Oversee, mentor, and motivate team members in their daily work. 

• Facilitate training for new hires and ongoing professional development for current staff. 

• Promote a culture of continuous learning, inclusion, and staff health and wellness.

Strategic Leadership & Communication 

• Act as a key leader in OOQ, supporting the Director, Assistant Director, and senior staff to ensure successful delivery of CoQI processes and strategic initiatives. 

• Design and deliver high-level presentations for varied audiences — from Departmental leadership to external partners — regarding CoQI performance, findings, strategic recommendations, and other topics, as requested. 

• Support the Assistant Director in reviewing and approving CoQI Implementation Plans, tracking themes and trends, and ensuring alignment with priorities and outcomes. 

• Provide mentoring and support for Sr. Team Leads and Team Leads implementing improvement planning and other required processes. • Represent the Office of Quality in meetings and inter-agency collaborations. 

• Address any inter-departmental coordination challenges that may arise. 

• Conduct regular check-ins to ensure all teams remain on track and address misalignments promptly

Data, Reporting & Quality Assurance 

• Collect, track, and analyze survey data to evaluate short-term and long-term program outcomes and provide recommendations to key decision makers. 

• Create accurate and informative reports from multiple data sources detailing CoQI process performance and initiatives. These reports — including data tables and graphs — will be presented to DCF executive leadership to show program volume, effectiveness, and highlight areas requiring additional focus. 

• Write strategic and sustainable improvement plans and executive summary reports from annual cycle meetings. 

• Assist with creation and/or updates to the CoQI training manual. 

• Other special projects or duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS 

EXPERIENCE: 

EDUCATION: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. A master’s degree is preferred. 

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of professional experience with Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) or Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) and demonstrated project management experience with a proven track record in organizational change management, two (2) years of which shall have been in supervisory capacity.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

 • Expertise in continuous quality improvement principles and methods (CQI, PDSA, or equivalent frameworks). 

• Knowledge of program development, implementation, and delivery in complex organizational systems. 

• Strong project management principles with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. 

• Proven ability to lead in a matrix organization, driving results without direct authority. 

• Excellent planning and organizational skills with strategic thinking capabilities. 

• Strong supervisory skills and ability to develop, mentor, and evaluate diverse teams. 

• Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills, with particular ability to engage and build trust among diverse stakeholder groups at all organizational levels. 

• Strong analytic skills to synthesize findings from various quantitative and qualitative data inputs and translate into actionable recommendations. 

• Ability to deliver excellent customer service to meet the needs of stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. 

• Ability to work collaboratively in a teaming structure and facilitate cross-functional partnerships. 

• Travel throughout the state may be required to perform job duties (travel is not restricted by county or region). 

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; expertise in Teams and Project a plus.

RESUME NOTE: Eligibility determinations will be based upon information presented on the resume only. Applicants who possess a degree from a college or university outside the United States must provide an evaluation of one’s transcripts from a recognized evaluation service at the time of submission by the above closing date. Failure to do so may result in your ineligibility.
 

LICENSE: Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

                                              IMPORTANT NOTICES 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: The Department of Children and Families provides many employee benefits, including but not limited to: 

• Alternative Workweek Program* 

• Deferred Compensation 

• Health, Dental and Life Insurance 

• Flexible and Health Spending Accounts 

• Pension 

• Telework* 

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness 

• Benefit Leave (Vacation, Sick, Administrative Leave) 

• 13 Paid Holidays 

*Pursuant to Department policy, procedures and/or guidelines

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS: As a prospective employee of the State of New Jersey, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

SAME APPLICANTS: If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, you must submit any of the supporting documentation specified in N.J.S.A. 11A:7-13.3 along with your resume by the closing date indicated above.

UNIT SCOPE: Any appointments made from postings which involve movement between unit scopes may result in a forfeiture of rights to any promotional list in a former unit scope. A complete list of DCF unit scopes can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/dcf/documents/about/employment/dcf/DCF_UNIT_SCOPE_LIST.pdf

RESIDENCY: Effective 9/1/11, NJ PL 70 (NJ First Act), requires all State employees to reside in New Jersey, unless exempted under the law, or current employees who live out-of-state and do not have a break-in service of more than 7 calendar days, as they are “grandfathered.” New employees or current employees who were not grandfathered and who live out-of-state have one year after the date of employment to relocate their residence to New Jersey or request an exemption. Current employees who reside in NJ must retain NJ residency, unless he/she obtains an exemption. Employees who fail to meet the residency requirements or obtain an exemption will be removed from employment.

AUTHORIZATION TO WORK: Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Regulations. This position does not offer visa sponsorship now or in the future.