Title: Program Consultant Sr. (Office of Family Well-Being) #W5469

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist II

Hiring Range: $78,000 - $88,000/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, 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.

This is an exciting time to join the Virginia Department of Social Services as the agency continues to advance a prevention-focused child welfare system that strengthens families and helps prevent children from entering foster care. The Office of Family Well-being supports these efforts by establishing community partnerships and evidence-based prevention programs across the Commonwealth. We are seeking a collaborative, organized, and mission driven Program Consultant Sr. This position is responsible for serving as a program and contract administrator for the prevention programs by planning, managing, developing, implementing, and interpreting program regulations, policies, and procedures.

The position will coordinate program development to include managing grant awards, negotiating and monitoring contracts, and providing technical assistance and consultation to grantees and other agencies and organizations; Prepares reports to funding sources; Assesses and evaluates the effectiveness of programs; and builds expertise within the Department related to effective programs to prevent entry into foster care and primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention initiatives using data and research.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable experience of the administration of human service programs pertaining to child abuse and neglect.
• Documented experience in grant/contract administration and financial and budget experience related to contract and program administration.
• Comprehensive experience of contract administration, procurement policies and procedures, contract negotiation, compliance monitoring, and budgeting.
• Experience conducting program research and/or analysis to support planning or program operations.
• Experience in providing technical assistance and community engagement strategies to increase program utilization and effective outcomes.
• Ability to analyze financial and statistical data.
• Ability to analyze and research information developing sound conclusions both orally and in writing.
• Ability to identify program needs and recommend changes.
• Ability to interpret federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing with various levels of internal and external customers.
• Knowledge of racial disparities and disproportionality.
• Ability to respond to internal and external customers in a timely manner.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships.
• Ability to influence others through positive attitude and enthusiasm.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize in order to manage workload.

Additional Considerations

• Experience evaluating and monitoring programs for effectiveness and compliance.
• Experience in data collection and analysis of programs.

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.