Title: Chief of Staff

State Role Title: Gen Admin Supv II/Coord II

Hiring Range: $80,000 - $85,000 (Commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, 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.

The Virginia Department of Social Services has an exciting opportunity to join our team as the Chief of Staff!

The Chief of Staff reports to the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services and serves as a key operations lead supporting executive decision-making, intradepartmental coordination, and high-level communication with internal leaders and external stakeholders. The Chief of Staff collaborates with other agency leaders to design and implement priorities and initiatives for the Commissioner and manages administration and interagency communication. This position supports the implementation of agency policies and priorities by assisting with policy research and analysis, charting progress of agency priorities and major initiatives to ensure timely completion, providing project management support, and preparing communication and presentation materials.
The Chief of Staff exercises initiative and independent judgment in managing the flow and exchange of information, interactions, and actions and initiatives of the Commissioner’s Office. This position handles confidential and sensitive information with discretion, manages the facilitation of crisis moments, issues, and events, manages and coordinates meeting agendas, and serves as a key liaison between the Commissioner, internal leadership, state officials, and external constituent stakeholders.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Progressively responsible professional experience in executive-level support, administration, operations, or project management.
• Demonstrated experience leading or facilitating communications across teams and working closely with senior leaders.
• Demonstrated experience in project management or program coordination including tracking timelines, deliverables, and outcomes.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders and officials from state, local and federal agencies.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills.
• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and MS Teams.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with minimal supervision and to exercise sound judgment in the absence of direction.
• Ability to maintain a high level of discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information and to handle matters of a difficult and sensitive nature with tact, discretion, and judgment.

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of the organization and functions of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s state government including the functions of executive branch agencies and interagency coordination.
• Experience conducting policy research and analysis.

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.

This position may be eligible for hybrid telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy on a case-by-case basis.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resource Division

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.