Division Manager
Date Posted: Apr 21, 2026
Requisition ID: 475825
Location:
Gary, IN, US, 46402
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Department of Child Services (DCS):
Join a group of passionate, dedicated public servants to support one of Indiana's most critical missions!
The Department of Child Services helps children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. We pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, and adoption. Our services also encompass foster care, child support, and transitional support for those adjusting to adulthood. Our culture is built upon our MVP foundation:
Mission: Champion Indiana's future by protecting children and strengthening families with compassion and determination.
Vision: Every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, forever home.
Purpose: Ignite hope. Cultivate joy.
Role Overview:
The Division Manager directs and supervises a team that provides protective services to children and families. The team delivers social services to maintain children in safe and positive family units or works with the court systems to remove children from their families to place them in protective environments. You will facilitate an integrated learning environment for staff and a culture of respect for children, families, and support persons.
Please click?this link? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8ZfAUCCRxU) for a realistic job preview video.?
This position is in Gary, Indiana, and will serve Lake County, and surrounding counties as needed.
Salary:
This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $67,314 but may be commensurate with education and job experience.
Use our Compensation Calculator (https://in.accessgov.com/spd/Forms/Page/spd/compensation-calculator/) to view the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life:
Responsibilities include:
Promote, maintain, and model working relationships with staff, clients, and partners that are inclusive, respectful and adhere to the vision, mission, and core values of the Department.
Prioritize work of subordinate supervisors and staff within the department and ensures that deadlines are met. This includes assessment of the risk to the child when complaint calls are received, and staff is not available to respond to all calls.
Supervise and assign work to subordinate supervisors. Sets standards for work based on federal, state, and judicial system regulations and guidelines. Monitors the flow and quality of work performed. Schedules on call rotation of Family Case Managers 2's.
Reassign work to maintain equitable work distribution and to cover vacant caseloads.
Ensure effective monitoring and accountability of staff to meet the best interest of children specifically for direct reports.
Ensure effective monitoring and accountability of staff to promote and model responsible case planning in connecting families with appropriate resources. Manage employee travel, time reporting and overtime to ensure maximum efficiency in case management and costs.
Establish and/or communicate and interpret policy and objectives to staff.
Effectively trains Family Case Managers and other staff on new programs and developments.
Identify management and organizational problems and provides training opportunities for resolution.
Review and measure staff and unit performance.
Identify employee training needs and prepares employee training plans.
Conduct performance appraisals and maintains a fact file for all assigned employees.
Interview applicants for vacant positions and makes promotional and hiring recommendations to the Local Office Director.
Review and/or authorize leave requests for Family Case Managers and other staff under their supervision.
Identify behaviors and/or performance contrary to the vision, mission, and core values of the Department. Recommends, assists, and documents the need for corrective disciplinary action.
Assist the Director or Division Manager in establishing long-term goals and objectives for the county office or division. Sets and implements goals and objectives within the department both long and short term.
Ensure that Family Case Managers and other staff are following policies, regulations, and operating procedures. Assures that contacts between staff and clients receiving services, as well as, between staff and all other involved social service providers and/or the public are conducted in a professional and ethical manner.
Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.
Set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.
The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours that may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
Credentials:
A Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Education, Healthcare, Home Economics, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Social Work, Sociology or a related field, and
One (1) year of experience in providing social services to children or families.
Additional requirements:
Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of social work, casework, sociology and group and individual counseling including new methods and theories of treatment.
Thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection services, foster care, family preservation and adoption.
Thorough knowledge of state and federal rules, regulations and policies governing public assistance programs and the ability to apply them in the administration of the program.
Thorough knowledge of the operation of the local court system and law enforcement agencies.
Specialized knowledge of State Personnel Department and Settlement Agreement rules, regulations and policies and the ability to apply them in the management of staff.
Specialized knowledge of the state budget process.
Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crises situations including those involving confrontational, aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
Ability to prioritize and manage workflow of subordinate supervisors and staff.
Ability to supervise the work of supervisory, professional, and clerical staff.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports.
Ability to use tact and empathy in working with people of diverse backgrounds.
Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with supervisory staff of other organizations whose cooperation is necessary in delivering services to children and families in protective services.
Ability to communicate articulately for court testimony.
Ability to use computerized caseload data in planning and coordination of work.
Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect in an appropriate and effective manner.
Ability to effectively manage a satellite office or major unit within a county office.
Required to possess and maintain a valid drivers' license, independent reliable automobile, and appropriate automobile insurance coverage always.
The Indiana Department of Child Services is a drug free workplace. Candidates are subject to pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing.
Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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