Title: Deputy Commissioner DRS - #ARS00171

State Role Title: Gen Admin Manager III

Hiring Range: Anticipated salary starting up to high $180,000s commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 7

Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs

Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs

Agency Website: https://www.dars.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

This is a rare opportunity to serve as the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), shape the future of disability employment in Virginia, and lead statewide initiatives that directly improve the lives of thousands of Virginians with disabilities — this is the job for you!

Job Duties:

“In accordance with the Commonwealth Telework Policy, telework is limited based on agency business needs.”

The Commonwealth is seeking a visionary, strategic, and collaborative executive to serve as the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS). This executive leadership position is responsible for providing statewide direction and oversight of Virginia's public vocational rehabilitation program, including management of an annual operating budget of approximately $110 million and leadership of a diverse network of rehabilitation programs and services.

The Deputy Commissioner leads the implementation of the vision established by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and ensures the delivery of high-quality vocational rehabilitation services that empower individuals with disabilities to achieve competitive integrated employment and greater independence.

Position Responsibilities:

The Deputy Commissioner provides executive leadership and oversight for the Division of Rehabilitative Services, including:

• Virginia's statewide Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
• Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC). 
• Field Services operations across the Commonwealth. 
• Business and Workforce Development. 
• Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Transition, and Education Services. 
• Rehabilitation Technology Services and the Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS).
• Employment services and supports for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD), individuals with Autism, individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), participants in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUD), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) populations, and all people with disabilities. 
• Staff training and professional development.

The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for planning, directing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating statewide vocational rehabilitation programs to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, effective stewardship of public resources, and delivery of timely, high-quality services that result in competitive integrated employment outcomes.

The position also develops strategic partnerships with employers, education systems, workforce partners, community rehabilitation providers, advocacy organizations, and state and federal agencies to advance employment opportunities for Virginians with disabilities.

Leadership Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will:

• Provide strategic vision and executive leadership for statewide vocational rehabilitation services.
• Manage an annual budget of approximately $110 million, ensuring sound fiscal stewardship and accountability. 
• Lead a large, geographically dispersed workforce and multiple program areas. 
• Ensure compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Rehabilitation Act, federal regulations, and applicable state policies. 
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that improve service quality, operational effectiveness, and employment outcomes. 
• Foster collaboration with workforce development boards, educational institutions, employers, community partners, and consumer advocacy organizations. 
• Promote innovation, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practices throughout the Division. 
• Use performance data and outcome measures to drive decision-making and improve program effectiveness. 
• Represent the Division before state leadership, federal partners, stakeholder organizations, and the public.

Other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
Completes duties and/or projects as needed or directed by supervisor.

This position has executive-level responsibility for the leadership, strategic direction, and 24/7 oversight of the WWRC residential vocational training program in Fishersville, Augusta County. The Deputy Commissioner supervises WWRC Director and is ultimately accountable for all Center operations, services, and organizational performance.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience:

• Training and experience in rehabilitation counseling, public administration, business administration, education, social work, human services, or a closely related field. 
• Extensive experience in developing organizational policies and objectives to accomplish goals and in managing large, diverse, and geographically dispersed staff.
• Experience managing large operating budgets and ensuring responsible fiscal oversight.
• Experience leading organizational change, strategic planning, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Experience supervising senior managers and leading diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated executive leadership experience managing large, complex organizations or public service programs.
• Experience administering federally funded programs and grants.
• Experience working with disability policy, employment services, and public-sector executive leadership.

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of vocational rehabilitation principles, workforce development systems, disability employment policy, and human services administration.
• Working knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Rehabilitation Act, and related federal and state regulations governing vocational rehabilitation programs. 
• Considerable knowledge of the social, medical, psychological, and labor market issues which impact persons with disabilities; interviewing, evaluation, and counseling techniques, methods and tools for career counseling and exploration; ADA compliance requirements, WIOA policies and regulations.

Skills:

• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills. 
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships with government agencies, employers, educational institutions, community organizations, and advocacy groups.
• Ability to establish a culture of accountability, innovation, inclusion, and customer-focused service delivery. 
• Ability to interpret and apply integrated policies and procedures in the provision of services; to establish employment opportunities through contacts with businesses, employment services organizations, and other organizations within the community; to organize and manage multiple, and sometimes unrelated, responsibilities in a timely manner, to prioritize duties and exercise responsible judgment with minimal supervision.

Additional Considerations:

• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential or other relevant professional certification.
• Extensive experience in vocational rehabilitation administration, program development and management, including directing statewide vocational rehabilitation or workforce development programs.

Special Instructions:

• This has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2-1201.1. 
• A fingerprint-based criminal history check will be required of the finalist candidate.
• The selected candidate must complete a Statement of Personal Economic Interests as a condition of employment (Va. Code § 2.2-3114).

DARS offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance plan options, flexible spending accounts, VRS retirement, employer‑paid basic group life insurance, optional employee‑paid group life insurance, 13 paid holidays, Sick Leave, Annual Leave, Family Personal Leave, employee discount programs, and more.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, Americorp, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:
Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with 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.

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Email: Recruitment@dars.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.