Social Services Program Administration Manager

Are you a current state employee who has five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health policy, program administration, healthcare management or Medicaid programming and looking to take your career to the next level? We invite you to explore this opportunity! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has an anticipated vacancy for a Behavioral Health Manager (Social Services Program Administration Manager) located in Hartford, CT.

If you're ready for role as a senior leader in overseeing the State's major health services contracts, please read below and submit your application! 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• LOCATION: Central Office (Hartford, CT) with hybrid schedule flexibility (office/telework) available consistent with State of CT Telework Policy.
• SHIFT: First shift | Full time | 40 hours per week 
• SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday
• NOTE: You must be a current State of Connecticut employee to be considered. Please see selection plan for additional details. *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.

YOUR ROLE 

NEW: Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! 

Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS RECRUITMENT:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state 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 include any related certification and licensure credential details within your application.

• Be sure to select all locations you are interested in and commutable to.

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: 

• NEW: Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
• 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 Samantha Rivera at Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence! 

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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• Master's degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health policy, program administration, healthcare management, or Medicaid programs.
• Experience overseeing behavioral health service delivery systems, including mental health and substance use disorder services.
• Knowledge of federal and state behavioral health regulations, Medicaid authorities, and value-based payment models.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral health policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including providers, state agencies, advocacy groups, and individuals with lived experience.
• Experience managing contracts, grants, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations, and policy recommendations for executive leadership.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and facilitating cross-agency collaboration.
• Knowledge of health equity, social determinants of health, and strategies to improve access to behavioral health services.
• Experience with federal waiver programs, including Section 1115 demonstrations and behavioral health transformation initiatives.
• Professional licensure or certification (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist, PMP, or other relevant credential) is desirable but not required. 

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.

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.