STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Commissioner Of Social Services

Recruitment #190129-2013EX-100

Introduction

The Lamont-Bysiewicz Administration is seeking a dynamic and collaborative individual to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) for the State of Connecticut. This position is located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways. In this role, you will administer, coordinate, and direct the operations of our agency.

DSS Purpose

  • To increase the overall security and quality of life for Connecticut individuals and families through holistic, evidence-based and culturally appropriate services. 
  • To support optimal physical and behavioral health and well-being.
  • To promote and support the choice to live with dignity in one’s own home and community.
  • To reduce barriers to employment and strengthen financial stability and self-sufficiency.
  • To support individuals and families to reach their full potential.

DSS Overview

DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. DSS supports the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration and online and phone access options. This includes:

  • Providing federal/state food and economic aid, health care coverage, independent living and home care, social work, child support, home-heating aid, protective services for older adults, and more vital service areas.
  • Supporting the health of over 780,000 residents through HUSKY Health (Medicaid & Children’s Health Insurance Program), including medical, dental, behavioral health, prescription medications, long-term services and supports. 
  • Helping over 400,000 residents afford food and supports Connecticut’s economy with federally-funded Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).

DSS includes a staff of 1,700 that provides health and human services to nearly 1 million residents across Connecticut. DSS is currently organized as follows:

  • Economic Security Unit coordinates the planning, development and implementation of programs, services and contracts that support families in achieving or maintaining self-sufficiency and independent living.
  • Office of Child Support Services works to improve the circumstances of children and their families by providing a path to self-sufficiency.
  • Office of Quality Assurance is responsible for ensuring the fiscal and programmatic integrity of programs administered by the Department of Social Services (“Department”). In addition, QA is responsible for ensuring the integrity of administrative functions of the Department.
  • Reimbursement and Certificate of Need is focused on establishment of payment rates for medical and residential care services, cost report auditing, and performing certificate of need reviews from nursing facilities, residential care homes and ICF/MR development projects.
  • Division of Health Services which oversees Medicaid and Connecticut’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). DSS is the Medicaid and CHIP agency for the State of Connecticut.
  • Division of Integrated Services which administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Family Assistance (TFA), as well as other benefits.
  • Affirmative Action Division is responsible for developing and implementing policy as it relates to multiple state and federal employee/client rights protection programs. The Division also is responsible for the American with Disabilities Act and the Employee Assistance Program.
  • Social Work Services is to make the principles, values and ethics of the Social Work profession an integral part of the Department of Social Services and to ensure that all interventions with DSS clients reflect the best practices of the profession.
  • OSD is a collaborative group of skilled professionals who work from a social justice foundation to support DSS staff and the organization in providing services that are client centered.
  • Human Resources administers a full range of human resource services to include labor relations, recruitment, retention, promotion and advancement of all DSS staff.
  • Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings (OLCRAH) serves as in-house counsel for the agency, administers the promulgation of agency regulations and schedules and conducts administrative hearings in accordance with state and federal law. OLCRAH includes the agency HIPAA Privacy Officer and agency Ethics Liaison Officer.

Applying through this system is the first step. Please include a resume within the "Resume Tab" on your submitted application. You may be asked to provide additional information to the Office of the Governor.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the agency’s dedicated staff to deliver quality service and efficient operations of programs and services within its mandate. 
  • Lead and deliver programs and services mandated by and in accordance with provisions outlined the State of CT.
  • Lead the design, processes and delivery of operations.
  • Clear understanding, management and articulation of operational aspects required to run the agency.
  • Critical to understand interdependencies with other State agencies and work in collaboration across the Administration on service and strategic solutions.
  • Partner closely with the Governor and Commissioners to achieve goals and serve the State’s needs and interests.
  • Provide information, reporting and testimony required by Legislature.
  • Seek input and cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Lead the DSS team to collaborate with peers across departments and across municipalities to effectively deliver services.
  • Focus on constituent experience and satisfaction.
  • Ensure key financial operational performance metrics are in place and being measured.
  • Robust use and analysis data.

Leadership Profile

  • Provides direction and fosters a common vision and focus on agency goals.
  • Provides leadership and development to build a strong high performing team. 
  • Builds strong relationships to influence through trust and common purpose.
  • Adjusts communication style to respond to the changing situations and audience concerns.
  • Translates goals into well-defined performance plans and communicates link between current activities and goals.
  • Scans the environment to anticipate constituent needs and changing dynamics; adjusts accordingly. 
  • Proactively seeks to improve processes and implement best-in-class solutions to better serve constituents, raising quality, safety and productivity in a calculated way.
  • Identifies new processes and/or systems to improve productivity and efficiency.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience in the dynamic and evolving health care system; demonstrated ability to bring creative and innovative solutions.
    • Credible leader with demonstrated success in fostering strong, effective relationships.
    • Demonstrated evidence of successfully leading large teams (over 1,000 employees) in a matrixed environment; execution focused.
    • Experience leading customer-facing operations.
    • Evidence of strong strategic and analytical skills.
    • Identification of stakeholder needs and development of differentiated constituent and provider experience across various touch-points.
    • Success in moving forward the execution of viable plans and processes.
    • Experience in effectively simplifying and presenting complex information with professionalism.

      Conclusion

      AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

      The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.