Title: Chief Deputy Commissioner - #ARS00027

State Role Title: Gen Admin Manager IV

Hiring Range: Anticipated salary up to low $200,000s commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 8

Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs

Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

As the driving force behind DARS’ statewide impact, this role propels bold strategy, unites diverse divisions, and accelerates results that transform the lives of Virginians with disabilities and older adults. It’s a high‑energy executive opportunity to shape vision, lead innovation, and deliver powerful outcomes across one of Virginia’s most dynamic and mission‑critical agencies.

Why Join Us?
✅ Meaningful, mission driven impact
✅ Collaborative and supportive work culture
✅ Comprehensive state benefits

 

Job Duties:

“In accordance with the Commonwealth Telework Policy, telework is limited.”

The Commissioner’s Office provides leadership and direction to ensure the agency fulfills its mission and meets state and federal requirements. Its customers include the citizens of the Commonwealth, the offices of the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, agency employees, Federal partners and other organizations serving older adults and individuals with disabilities.

About the agency:

The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) is a highly complex agency consisting of seven major program divisions—Aging, Community Living, Adult Protective Services, the State Long-Term Care Office, Disability Determination Services, Disability Rehabilitation Services, and the Wilson Workforce Center. Together, these divisions deliver statewide services that support older Virginians, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers through advocacy, protection, vocational rehabilitation, long-term care oversight, and disability determination. The agency administers programs ranging from Area Agencies on Aging and Centers for Independent Living to disability determinations and statewide vocational rehabilitation. DARS’ broad scope requires coordination across diverse service systems, federal and state partners, boards, councils, and community organizations to advance independence, well-being, and employment for the populations it serves. Together, these seven divisions illustrate the depth and complexity of DARS. Each operates with specialized mandates and partners, yet all share a unified commitment to improving independence, opportunity, and quality of life for Virginians across the lifespan.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Chief Deputy Commissioner who reports directly to the Commissioner and serves as the second in command to the Commissioner. This position has formal authority to act on behalf of the Commissioner and provides executive-level leadership to coordinate, streamline, and accelerate key priorities across DARS. This position represents the agency and the Commissioner both internally and externally and builds partnerships across government, education, healthcare, workforce development, and the private sector to improve outcomes and expand opportunities for Virginians with disabilities and older Virginians.

The position oversees all major agencywide programming, which includes Aging, Community Living, Adult Protective Services, State Long-Term Care, Disability Determination Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, and the Wilson Workforce Center, to include the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of programs that support DARS’s mission and service delivery. The Chief Deputy Commissioner ensures that programming across divisions is aligned with strategic priorities, compliant with applicable requirements, and responsive to the needs of staff, partners, and the individuals served by DARS.

In addition, this position leads core operational and administrative functions, including performance management, budget and finance oversight, workforce management, operational improvement, project execution, data-informed decision making, risk management, and holding division leaders accountable for outcomes. In collaboration with the Leadership Team, this position ensures alignment with strategic priorities and effective agency operations.

Performance Management

• Utilizes the 5 tenets of performance management to maximize the job performance of others.

Leadership

• Serves on the agency/division leadership team.

Managing the Priorities of the Commissioner’s Office

• Executes the Commissioner’s agenda by directing policy-driven agency priorities, overseeing executive leadership functions, and serving as the principal communications and liaison authority.
• Leads strategic planning efforts, advances high-level decision making, manages critical inquiries, and represents the Commissioner in significant internal and external engagements.

Oversee and Manage Agency Goals and Strategies

• Directs agencywide strategic initiatives by transforming the Commissioner’s vision into defined organizational goals.
• Advises executive leadership on complex operational and policy matters, oversees critical projects, and establishes rigorous processes to monitor progress and evaluate outcomes.

Oversees Programming and Other Departments as Assigned

• Exercises executive authority over assigned program areas and designated departments, ensuring effective administration and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Upholds compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and mandates governing relevant Boards and Commissions.

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

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience:

• Experience in establishing and driving strategic goals towards effective delivery of outcomes in the social services system.
• Executive-level experience in leading major change initiatives that leverage cross functional and external strategic relationships.
• Extensive executive level experience or training in leadership, public administration, and/or business administration management (especially health or human services).

Knowledge:

• Be well informed in the field of human services and knowledgeable of the ongoing needs and challenge.
• Comprehensive working knowledge in the leadership and administration of human services systems and programs; legislative principles, practices, and procedures; and program, laws and regulations of a human services organization.
• Extensive knowledge of stakeholder engagement, community relations, and public affairs.

Ability:

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and public officials.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex and diverse information and present clear, effective, and persuasive communications to varied audiences.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategies, structures, and plans which enhance collaboration within the agency and among stakeholders.
• Ability to embrace complex, technical challenges and have the strategic and team skills to work closely with colleagues at every level to drive the agency’s mission forward collectively. 
• Ability to question intelligently, debate constructively and listen sensitively to the views of others.

Skills:

• Critical thinking skills and the ability to ask questions that expand conversations and deliver unique and impactful solutions.
• Exceptional relationship building and relationship management skills; with diverse stakeholders, including community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and public officials. 
• Excellent professional and diplomatic oral/written communication and presentation skills. 

 

Additional Considerations:

N/A

Special Instructions

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

Benefits:

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 accommodation is available during the application/interview process per the ADA. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, 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 are 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

Phone: 804 662 7003

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.