Title: Strategic Consultant #W5484 (Office of Family Well-Being)

State Role Title: Program Admin Specialist III

Hiring Range: $91,000 - $101,000/yr.

Pay Band: 6

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.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Office of Family Well-Being is currently seeking a Strategic Consultant. This position reports directly to the Director of the Office of Family Well-Being and works collaboratively with agency leaders, state and local departments of social services, community partners, healthcare partners, and other public and private sector stakeholders to advance the Department’s statewide prevention goals.

The Strategic Consultant position provides statewide leadership and technical expertise in the implementation, evaluation, performance management, and continuous improvement of prevention strategies designed to strengthen families and safely prevent children’s entry into foster care.

The position leads complex, multi-faceted projects and initiatives that apply principles of implementation science, prevention science, public health, population health, data analytics, and continuous quality improvement to strengthen Virginia’s prevention system.

The position is responsible for translating evidence, data, and community-informed perspectives into actionable strategies that improve implementation, expand access to evidence-based prevention services, address disparities and service gaps, and advance measurable improvements in child and family well-being.

The role is responsible for developing and managing statewide data, performance measurement, implementation, and systems improvement strategies that inform policy, resource allocation, program design, and operational decision-making. The position independently leads cross-divisional and cross-sector projects; establishes performance and implementation frameworks; evaluates system and program effectiveness; identifies implementation barriers and opportunities; and develops recommendations for agency leadership and partners.

Key responsibilities include leading complex projects and workgroups; establishing and monitoring performance measures and implementation metrics; integrating and interpreting data from multiple systems; developing dashboards, reports, and executive-level presentations; providing technical consultation and implementation support to local agencies and community partners; monitoring fidelity, utilization, and outcomes; and identifying and implementing strategies to improve the quality, effectiveness, sustainability, and equitable availability of prevention services statewide.

The position serves as a subject matter expert and strategic advisor to the Office of Family Well-Being and represents the Department, as assigned, in interagency, legislative, community, and national forums. The position exercises independent judgment in managing competing priorities, resolving complex implementation and performance issues, and translating emerging information into recommendations that support statewide prevention strategy and system transformation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Progressive experience in the administration of human services, child welfare, prevention, public health, behavioral health, or other family-serving programs, including leadership of complex, multi-stakeholder projects, initiatives, or systems improvement efforts.
• Demonstrated success independently leading, coordinating, and managing complex initiatives involving multiple programs, agencies, organizations, data systems, and stakeholder groups.
• Substantial experience applying data analysis, performance measurement, implementation science, program evaluation, continuous quality improvement, or related methodologies to inform program implementation, strategic planning, policy development, resource allocation, or systems improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate and interpret data from multiple sources and translate complex findings into actionable recommendations for leadership, policymakers, practitioners, providers, and community stakeholders.
• Substantial experience developing and delivering executive-level presentations, reports, dashboards, performance measures, data visualizations, or other decision-support products.
• Demonstrated experience building collaborative partnerships and facilitating multidisciplinary teams, workgroups, communities of practice, or other cross-sector initiatives.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, independent judgment, and decision-making abilities.
• Advanced project, change, and implementation management skills.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical and strategic information clearly and effectively.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, adaptability, and stress management skills in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced skills in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word for executive presentations, reports, and decision-support materials.

Additional Considerations

• Experience integrating data from multiple systems (e.g., child welfare, public health, behavioral health, education, Medicaid, or other human services) to evaluate system performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience applying implementation science, quality improvement, epidemiologic methods, or program evaluation to support statewide initiatives or systems change.
• Experience developing executive-level dashboards, data stories, or public-facing reports that translate performance data into actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community stakeholders.
• Experience incorporating equity, community engagement, and population-based approaches to improving outcomes for children, families, and communities.

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.