STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Social Services Program Administration Manager

Recruitment #220427-2490MP-001

Introduction



The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Service (DSS) is recruiting for a Social Services Program Administration Manager position to lead the Office of Community Services within the Division of Program Oversight & Grant Administration. 

This position is Full-Time 40 hours, Monday - Friday. The Division of Program Oversight & Grant Administration is comprised of 50 staff and is responsible for state program policy administration and operational support in the delivery of many vital social services, including, but not limited to: medical coverage, food assistance, financial assistance, and energy assistance. This position manages a team of 12-14 staff and is responsible for: (1) policy development, implementation and coordination; (2) program and administrative oversight for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG); and (3) contract management of non-profit vendors, in particular the state’s community action agencies.

The Social Services Program Administration Manager will report to the Director of the Division of Program Oversight & Grant Administration. The manager will be expected to collaborate and cooperate closely with the Director and the three other Unit Managers in the Division in support of the Department’s mission, to engage and collaborate with our sister agencies, and to engage and maintain cooperative relationships with federal and state partners.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

Please note that DSS takes part in the E-Verify system, which is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Connect With Us:
  • If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Elizabeth Weston at Elizabeth.Weston@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number.
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Aging and Disability Services, 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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Manages staff and operations of unit.
  • Coordinates, plans and manages unit activities.
  • Formulates goals and objectives to meet agency strategic goals.
  • Interprets and administers pertinent laws and regulations.
  • Oversees development and submission of state plans and federal reports.
  • Monitors program performance and operations.
  • Develops and manages contracts with a wide range of service providers.
  • Analyzes and proposes input on issues involving regulatory and legislative changes in policies and laws which may impact programs and operations.
  • Engages and maintains cooperative relationships with federal partners including the federal Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).
  • Works with sister state agencies on program, fiscal and administrative policy, as well as budget plans.
  • Collaborates with division managers to establish and maintain cohesive eligibility policies across agency programs.
  • Performs related duties as required
  • More information can be found here

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of social services programs, early childhood programs, deaf and hard of hearing programs, programs for older adults 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience promoting trust-based, collaborative team efforts.
  • Experience evaluating programs or services for efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Experience formulating or analyzing data in order to improve operations or policies.
  • Experience reading and interpreting federal and state laws related to social service programs.
  • Experience communicating information to program or project stakeholders, such as federal officials, legislators, advocates, or contractors.
  • Experience administering the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).
  • Experience with the functions of community action agencies.

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.