Title: Senior Advisor

State Role Title: Policy Planning Spec III

Hiring Range: Up to $120,000 (Commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: https://dss.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

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.

The Virginia Department of Social Services is excited to share that we are looking for a Senior Advisor to help join our team!

The Senior Advisor reports directly to the Commissioner and serves as a strategic advisor and enterprise leader responsible for advancing the Commissioner's vision, priorities, and strategic objectives across the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). This position provides senior-level leadership in the planning, coordination, execution, and monitoring of agency-wide initiatives and special projects that have significant organizational impact. Working collaboratively with Deputy Commissioners, division leaders, and internal and external stakeholders, the Senior Advisor ensures enterprise priorities are translated into actionable plans, coordinated across the organization, and executed effectively to achieve measurable results.

The Senior Advisor serves as the Commissioner's principal point of coordination for executive initiatives, organizational priorities, and cross-functional projects that span multiple divisions and portfolios. The position is responsible for leading complex initiatives from concept through implementation; establishing project governance, timelines, milestones, and accountability measures; monitoring progress; identifying risks and barriers; and facilitating timely resolution of issues requiring executive attention. The Senior Advisor prepares executive briefings, reports, presentations, and recommendations that support informed decision-making while ensuring leadership is equipped with timely, accurate, and actionable information regarding agency priorities, performance, emerging issues, and strategic opportunities.

The Senior Advisor fosters collaboration, alignment, and accountability across agency leadership by coordinating leadership meetings, strategic planning efforts, and organizational initiatives that strengthen communication, operational effectiveness, and enterprise decision-making. The Senior Advisor exercises sound judgment in managing sensitive and confidential matters while leading through influence to build consensus, remove barriers, improve organizational processes, and drive successful implementation of the Commissioner's strategic priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable experience in policy analysis, legislative affairs, or strategic planning.
• Experience in interpreting and advising on policy.
• Experience working in a governmental or legislative environment.
• Experience working directly with executives, senior leadership, or high‑level stakeholders.
• Experience managing or coordinating cross‑functional initiatives or complex projects.

Additional Considerations

• Previous experience working in Virginia state government.

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.

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.