Title: Business Operations Specialist #W5254/#W2465

State Role Title: Program Admin. Specialist II

Hiring Range: $83,054 - $95,443/yr.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Division of Benefit Programs is currently seeking a Business Operations Specialist. This is a professional position responsible for supporting agency-wide change initiatives by creating multi-faceted Change Management (CM) strategies, detailed plans, implementing and managing elements of CM (readiness, process design, user support, training, organizational redesign and culture change), delivering and implementing CM strategies related to the people side of change to improve operations and performance, provide customer-focused consultation to identify needs and define, implement and monitor methods to execute viable business strategies that will improve operations and performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience delivering change management strategies for large-scale change initiatives.
• Knowledge of current change management methods and tools.
• Project management experience.
• Experience in the analysis, design, development, testing and implementation of large, automated systems.
• Experience working with high level and detailed designs; system architecture, production systems, online and batch processing environments.
• Planning experience related to the development of software applications design, development, testing, implementation, and production support of automated systems.
• Demonstrated experience with the following:
  • Full life cycle development of information systems.
  • Legacy, client server and web development of major applications.
  • Standards-oriented business analysis used in IEEE, CMM and PMI environments.
  • Structured methodologies.
  • Extensive knowledge of business analysis and design practices.
  • Identifying and confirming user requirements.
  • Systems analysis and design.
  • Business process re-engineering.
  • Agile and Waterfall methodology.
• Demonstrate proficiency in communication skills both written and verbal – Ability to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of performance improvement models, Business Process Reengineering/process improvement principles, best practices, and tools.
• Ability to assess training needs and manage implementation.
• Demonstrated systems thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills with the ability for planning strategy and tactics.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong relationships and to develop credibility with people at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with and through others.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and changing environment while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent active listening skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal.
• Demonstrated ability to understand the needs and concerns of customers, as well as a sense of urgency in meeting said needs.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and VISIO, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Project, and JIRA.

Additional Considerations

• Professional Project Management (PMP) or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Please be advised that this position may be approved to work onsite for two days per week and work remotely for three days per week.

Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

VDSS does not provide sponsorship.

VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site when you apply.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS - Division of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.