Social Services Program Administration Manager

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

Are you a self-starter? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal human services environment in the public sector? If so, please read on to learn more about this wonderful promotional opportunity!  

We are currently recruiting for a qualified and talented Social Services Program Administration Manager within the Business System Division located at our Central Office at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT. This position is full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm.   

You will discover the opportunity to:  

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Social Services, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.   

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).  

The Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify.  

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and specify their qualifications on their application. Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume in the “Resume Tab” of your application as you will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application into the JobAps system.  

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s). These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.  

Candidates selected for interview must bring, at time of interview:

• Two (2) most recent years of attendance records
• Two (2) most recent service ratings  

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date.  The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses.  Please regularly check your email for notifications.  Please check your SPAM and or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.    

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.            

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker, at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

In the Departments of Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addictions Services, Social Services, and the Office of Early Childhood, this class is accountable for managing program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring for a major agency program area.

Manages staff and/or operations of unit/program; implements social services programs/policies; coordinates, plans and manages unit/program activities; formulates program goals and objectives through the review of agency data; develops or assists in development of related policy; interprets and administers pertinent laws; coordinates research, data analysis and program planning efforts; monitors, analyzes and evaluates programs/policies to determine cost-effectiveness and quality of service; identifies and coordinates training needs; advises leadership of legislative, legal or other program/policy impacts and recommends an appropriate position; monitors all internally and externally initiated program/policy changes; researches, prepares and presents testimony to legislative committees, study committees and courts regarding social services issues; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in budget preparation; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of agency who might impact on program activities; acts as agency contact with state, federal and community agencies on social services to ensure service delivery; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of social services programs, early childhood programs, deaf and hard of hearing programs and/or programs for individuals with intellectual disability or behavioral health issues; considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of community organizations and social services agencies; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to interpret complex written material including legal narrative and to assess the impact thereof on programmatic goals.

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the delivery of social services programs and/or policies.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a managerial or consultative capacity with programmatic and administrative responsibility for a regional or statewide social services program.

Note: For State employees, the Special Experience is interpreted at the level of Program Manager, Operations Manager, Public Assistance Consultant, Planning Specialist and Associate Accountant.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

2. A Master's degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Accounting, Early Childhood Education or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Experience using JIRA and Microsoft Office 365;
• Experience managing and/or working in complex business or technology projects;
• Experience identifying and resolving issues related to project schedule, scope and resources;
• Experience with the functional aspects of consumer and/or worker portals related to an integrated eligibility system, a state based health insurance exchange and/or a document management system;
• Experience with Human Centered Design.

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.