Title: Special Projects Manager #W5238

State Role Title: Program Admin. Specialist III

Hiring Range: $80,000 - $90,000/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), Division of Family Services is currently seeking a Special Projects Manager. This position is responsible for managing and overseeing strategic projects, contracts, and studies, while directly supporting the Division of Family Services (DFS) to foster growth and initiatives of the Strategic Operations Program. The aim is to achieve both short-term and long-term goals that ensure the permanency, safety, and well-being of children and families in Virginia. The position provides strategic operations expertise in child welfare requirements and facilitates and evaluates division-wide communication to build capacity throughout Virginia’s child welfare system. A main priority of this position is to support the efforts of the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The position provides leadership within the Division of Family Services by planning, managing, developing, interpreting, leading, implementing, and evaluating program policies and procedures, and various internal and external projects to enhance child welfare programs, collaborating with Federal, state and local agencies to improve services and ensure comprehensive delivery for children and families. Through in-depth research and analysis, the position plans, develops, recommends, and coordinates communication and capacity-building efforts for the Strategic Operations Program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and experience in child welfare programs, including child protective services, in-home/prevention services, foster care, and adoption.
• Demonstrated experience in the administration of human services, child welfare services, and quality assurance activities.
• Demonstrates significant expertise in business operations, data analysis, continuous quality improvement (CQI), and quality assurance activities.
• Thorough understanding of the diverse needs of clients, community organizations, programs, and state and local government systems.
• Skilled in problem resolution, program design and evaluation to meet service delivery goals, objectives, and outcomes.
• Documented experience managing multifaceted projects.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently and establish effective working relationships with various groups, individuals, and agencies.
• Capable of leading and supporting the administrative activities of groups while navigating complex regulations, laws, and procedures.
• Proficient in managing and conducting meetings, studies, and investigations.
• Skilled at understanding, interpreting, and conveying complex laws and regulations.
• Experienced in developing policies and procedures, as well as identifying and analyzing problems and formulating solutions.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills, including the capability to present complex material to a diverse range of stakeholders.

Additional Considerations

• Extensive experience in child welfare with work in a local department of social services is preferred.

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

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.