STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act Program Manager

State Program Manager

Recruitment #240426-4799MP-001

Introduction



Are you a current Workforce Strategy employee looking for the next step in your career?
If so, we encourage you to read the posting below and apply today!

The State of Connecticut, Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) has an outstanding opportunity to serve as a Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program Manager in Hartford, CT. 
The Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) is a public agency, housed, with administrative support, from the Department of Economic and Community Development. OWS is charged with influencing and operationalizing the statewide strategy for workforce in support of the Governor’s Workforce Council and with the support of related agency and statewide stakeholders. This small team is looking for an experienced and knowledgeable WIOA Program Manager to implement and manage policies, procedures, and strategic goals of Connecticut’s workforce development system related to programs and services provided under the auspices of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA).

CONTINUE TO ENJOY

  • A Competitive starting salary
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform an article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Additional information for managers can be found here.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Paid time off including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • A culture that encourages work/life balance
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • Ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Work for a Forbes top company: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.

THE ROLE

The WIOA Program Manager will work with the OWS team, specifically supporting the vision of the Chief Workforce Officer and Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Council, in developing, refining, and executing a strategic vision of workforce development.

This individual will comprehensively support WIOA programs and services, including, but not limited to: 

  • Coordinating the state’s planning, budgeting, and implementation of WIOA;  
  • Coordinating the measurement and evaluation of outcomes, best practices, and return on investment across all WIOA-funded programs and services;  
  • Ensuring compliance with WIOA administrative requirements;  
  • Interfacing directly with workforce development boards in the implementation of WIOA program and services;  
  • Assisting OWS staff in working with the business community to connect companies with high-quality workforce services;  
  • Working with the Connecticut Department of Labor and other state agencies on shared WIOA responsibilities; and serving as the lead for the Governor’s Workforce Council’s WIOA Committee.    

This role will involve continuously coordinating strategic teams, initiatives, policies, and practices that promote this work, while supporting the ongoing operations of the Office of Workforce Strategy and the Governor’s Workforce Council.  

Our ideal candidate will: 
  • Be able to work strategically and collaboratively across public agencies, workforce development boards and other key stakeholders to successfully drive an effective and efficient workforce strategy, specifically as it relates to WIOA programs and services. 
  • Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong project management skills, strong understanding and experience with WIOA programs and services.
  • Have experience with the Workforce System (including the Regional Workforce Investment Boards, state and colleges education system, community-based organizations, and state agencies).  
  • Be competent with Microsoft Office/related programming (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and strong attention to detail. 
  • Be effective, versatile, action-oriented and dedicated to efficient productivity.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday through Friday schedule
  • First shift hours
  • Hybrid opportunity, combination of in office and remote work, in accordance with the Telework Policy 

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, 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.

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. 

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.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please 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.
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, 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 recruiter listed on this job posting.

  • 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.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

  • Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Important Information After You Apply:

  • 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 questionnaire'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.
  • 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.
  • Note: 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.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

Connect With Us:

  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for planning, organizing and directing an agency program and/or project or directing the development and administration of programs within a division.  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives administrative direction from an administrative official of higher grade.  

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Directs staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The WIOA Program manager will:
  • Coordinate the state’s planning, strategy, budgeting, and implementation of WIOA programs and services;
  • Coordinate the measurement and evaluation of outcomes, best practices, and return on investment across all WIOA-funded programs and services;
  • Ensure compliance with WIOA administrative requirements;
  • Interface directly with workforce development boards in the implementation of WIOA program and services;
  • Work with the Connecticut Department of Labor and other state agencies on shared WIOA responsibilities;
  • Maintain knowledge of applicable workforce development laws and policies; 
  • Analyze any proposed legislative changes pertaining to WIOA;
  • Prepare presentations and reports for internal and external use on WIOA implementation and outcomes;
  • Assist in the identification and analysis of relevant data sets in support of WIOA initiatives;
  • Conduct research to inform strategic policy recommendations on WIOA best practices;
  • Author strategic communications (articles, case studies, social media, blogs) and marketing plans to promote and support WIOA programs and services; and
  • Serve as the lead for the Governor’s Workforce Council’s WIOA Committee. 
  • Additional information can be found here

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • project management; 
    • principles and practices of business and public administration with emphasis on effective organization, administration and management 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Considerable ability to analyze organizational problems and determine effective solutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the specific area of assignment.

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 business administration, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • Department of Labor: Two (2) years of experience as an Apprenticeship and Training Program Manager may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.    

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in creating WIOA-related (“Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act”) programming and services.
  • Experience leading meetings with stakeholders to comply with Federal and State policies in accomplishing the goals as described in the Governor's Workforce Council strategic Plan.
  • Experience working with the business community to connect companies with high-quality workforce services. 
  • Experience with groups in social equity programs.
  • Experience monitoring and evaluating workforce development plans.

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.