Director of Policy and Program Integration - Exempt

State of Vermont; Waterbury, Northern (VT, KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Vermont is seeking a Director of Policy and Program Integration – Exempt in Waterbury, VT. The role leads policy development across health and human services, coordinating with the governor's office, other agencies, and legislative partners.

The position requires strategic direction, advisory capacity to the Secretary, and high-level leadership during legislative sessions, with extensive collaboration and accountability for cross-agency initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the Agency's Policy and Planning Work
• Oversees the integration of policy, planning, and field services
• Oversees the AHS Planning Team and Governance Process
• Supervises professional-level staff
• Convene stakeholders to communicate AHS priorities and community-specific information
• Represent the Secretary on statewide councils and agencies such as the Agency of Education
• Represent AHS on committees and forums.
• Oversee AHS strategic initiatives
• Ensure interdepartmental service integration and interagency service integration when appropriate
• Support Agency goals and vision in a variety of venues
• Lead the policy and planning team to ensure coordination among AHS Secretary Office staff including policy and planning alignment
• Lead the AHS Planning Support Process to ensure Agency projects are fully developed and analyzed for the AHS Governance process
• Coordinate and lead the AHS Governance process to include establishing clear roles, responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results

Job description

Title: Director of Policy and Program Integration - Exempt

Application Deadline Date: 10/15/2026

Department: Human Services Agency

Location: Waterbury, VT, US

Position Type: Exempt

Schedule Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: N/A

Maximum Salary: N/A

Overview

The Director of Policy and Program Integration plays a key role in managing a wide range of complex policy initiatives across the spectrum of health and human services and ensures a coordinated and integrated approach to policy and budget development and implementation across the Agency of Human Services. The role involves extensive interaction with staff at the governor's office, leadership in other state agencies and departments, AHS leadership, the members of the legislature, special interest groups and local, state and federal partners. The policy works closely with the chief financial officer to align policy and guide budget development.

The position provides guidance and leadership for the overall creation of and implementation of Agency planning projects and is responsible for the development and oversight of the Agency's policy and planning work. The position serves as advisor to the Secretary on a broad range of policy, inter-departmental and cross-Agency issues. Serves as a policy analyst as necessary. Develops strategic direction and ensures consistency towards Agency, Legislative and Gubernatorial goals. During the legislative session, this position may work at the State House between fifty and seventy-five percent of the time.

The position will lead projects and provide research and consultative work at a professional level and will represent the Secretary at numerous meetings and have the authority to speak on issues on behalf of the Secretary. Work is performed under limited supervision.

Duties and Responsibilities as Director of Policy and Program Integration

• Oversees the Agency's Policy and Planning Work
• Oversees the integration of policy, planning, and field services
• Oversees the AHS Planning Team and Governance Process
• Supervises professional-level staff

Represent the AHS Secretary

• Convene stakeholders to communicate AHS priorities and community-specific information
• Represent the Secretary on statewide councils and agencies such as the Agency of Education
• Represent AHS on committees and forums.
• Oversee AHS strategic initiatives
• Ensure interdepartmental service integration and interagency service integration when appropriate
• Support Agency goals and vision in a variety of venues

Provide leadership, support and direction to address gaps in systems, resources and services

• Lead the policy and planning team to ensure coordination among AHS Secretary Office staff including policy and planning alignment
• Lead the AHS Planning Support Process to ensure Agency projects are fully developed and analyzed for the AHS Governance process
• Coordinate and lead the AHS Governance process to include establishing clear roles, responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results

Who May Apply

This position, Director of Policy and Program Integration - Exempt (Job Requisition #55141), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

AHS BACKGROUND CHECKS: Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.

Compensation

The statutory salary range for this position is $90,000 to $120,000. Starting salary is negotiable based on education and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.