Introduction
Position Highlights:
- Full-time, 40 hours per week
- First (1st) shift
- Flexible hybrid work schedule - in-person and telework
- Monday - Friday
- Hartford, CT
The Role:
This senior leadership position is responsible for overseeing the State’s major health services contracts. The role provides strategic, operational, and regulatory oversight across behavioral health, dental services, medical administrative services, and non-emergency medical transportation for over one million Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members.
Key responsibilities include:
- Behavioral Health (Carelon BH and related initiatives): Lead oversight of the Carelon Behavioral Health contract and a broader portfolio of behavioral health programs, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CBHC), Substanc use Disorder Services (SUD) services, justice-involved populations, early childhood behavioral health (e.g., Zero to Three), and the SUD 1115 Waiver. Ensure system integration, network adequacy, quality improvement, value-based payment models, CMS compliance, and extensive stakeholder engagement.
- Dental Services (BeneCare): Provide strategic oversight of the State’s dental program, including vendor management, policy development, quality and performance improvement, provider and member support, health equity initiatives, and cross-agency coordination.
- Medical ASO (CHN CT): Oversee administrative operations for Medicaid and CHIP, including member and provider services, data analytics, quality management, program integrity, and regulatory compliance, while driving systemwide performance and innovation.
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (MTM): Ensure effective management of the NEMT broker, focusing on access, reliability, quality, regulatory compliance, legislative relations, and continuous improvement for diverse and high-need populations.
Overall, the position ensures high-quality, equitable, efficient, effective and compliant service delivery across the Medicaid enterprise through contract oversight, policy leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and data-driven performance management.
About Us:
DSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support 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.
What’s In It For You:
- Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
- A healthy work-life balance to all employees.
- State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
Discover the opportunity to:
- Engage in a rewarding career
- Assist our employees so they can achieve success
- Make a difference in the public sector
- Work together in a collaborative team environment
Thinking Of Relocating?
Connecticut offers you a blend of professional advancement and a high-quality lifestyle. As a state we are renowned for our top-tier medical facilities and ample opportunities for career growth and development. Beyond professional prospects, Connecticut boasts a high standard of living, featuring safe communities, excellent schools, and a diverse range of cultural and recreational activities. This combination of professional excellence and a well-rounded lifestyle make Connecticut an appealing destination for those who want to thrive both in their careers and personal lives.
There are so many things to love about living, working, and playing in our state including these Key Facts and Figures:
- #4 in the U.S. for employees with advanced degrees
- #3 in the country for quality of K-12 education
- #5 for quality of life in the U.S.
- 2,000 miles of hiking/bike paths
- 618 miles of scenic coastline
- 21 world-class art museums
- Five Tony-Award winning regional theatres, and more!
Check out CTVisit; they share so much valuable information on what it's like to work, play and live in our state!
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to at Christopher.Lavallee@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
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/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 program activities;
- Acts as agency contact with state, federal and community agencies on social services to ensure service delivery;
- Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of
- and ability to apply management principles and practices;
- relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
- 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;
- relevant agency policies and procedures;
- Knowledge of community organizations and social services agencies;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- 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 this experience is interpreted at the level of a Program Manager, Operations Manager, Public Assistance Consultant, Planning Specialist and Associate Accountant.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training may be
substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester
hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4)
years for a Bachelor's degree.
- 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
- Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Public Policy, Social Work, Business Administration, or a related field required.
- Experience in healthcare finance, quality improvement, or value-based payment models preferred.
- Extensive experience providing progressive leadership in Medicaid, public health, behavioral health, or healthcare administration, with demonstrated responsibility for large, complex programs.
- Experience managing high-dollar, high-impact contracts (e.g., ASOs, MCOs, or statewide vendors), including performance monitoring, corrective action, and renegotiation.
- Experience with federal Medicaid requirements, including CMS reporting, State Plan Amendments, 1115 waivers, and federal matching funds.
- Experience demonstrating leadership in behavioral health systems, including SUD services, community-based care, and integration across payer and delivery systems.
- Experience overseeing or partnering with dental programs, transportation systems (NEMT), or other Medicaid benefit programs strongly preferred.
- Experience with contract management and vendor oversight skills, including use of performance metrics and data analytics.
- Experience with stakeholder engagement and political acumen, with experience working with legislators, advocates, providers, and cross-agency partners.
- Experience with written and oral communication skills, including preparation of formal reports, policy guidance, and legislative testimony.
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.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share
general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for
administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be
all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.