Program Consultant Sr. /Special Assistant - #W4206 (State Programs-Div. of Business Operations)

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & life insurance

Pre-tax accounts

Disability insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation

Tuition assistance

Wellness programs

State retirement plan

Job summary

Commonwealth of VA Careers is seeking a Program Consultant Senior for the Virginia Department of Social Services. The role supports the Director and unit managers, ensuring policy compliance and guiding cross‑functional work across Child Support, Licensing, and related programs.

The position emphasizes policy research, written guidance, and stakeholder communications, with telework eligibility and required in‑office presence.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of State Programs areas including Child Support Enforcement and related policies.
• Ability to manage project teams and track goals/objectives.
• Research, analyze and write policy documents and SOPs at management level.
• Experience with government payments, budgeting, and document management.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Business Operations and Unit Managers.
• Be an active member of the office leadership team and participate in task forces or committees.
• Research and draft state and federal policy proposals to advance program missions.
• Respond to communications and provide executive-level recommendations on program impacts.

Skills

Policy analysis

Project leadership

Communication skills

MS Office proficiency

Education

Public administration training

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

SharePoint

Visio

MS Project

Outlook

Job description

Title: Program Consultant Sr. /Special Assistant - #W4206 (State Programs-Div. of Business Operations)

State Role Title:Prog Admin Specialist II

Hiring Range: $65,723 - $90,373 (salary commensurate w/experience)

Pay Band: 5

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.

State Programs is currently seeking a Program Consultant Senior to become part of the Division of Business Operations. State Programs portfolio encompasses the following areas: Division of Business Operations, Division of Child Support Enforcement, Division of Licensing, and Division of Support and Transformation.

This position will assist and provide direct support to the Director of Business Operations and/or Unit Manager(s) to ensure the directives and mission of the State Programs’ Business Operations Division and all applicable laws and policies are met. Serves as an active member of the assigned office leadership team. Participates in task forces, workgroups, committees, or other bodies as delegated. Assists with State Programs policy impacting Business Operations, including Child Support and Licensing Programs by recommending, drafting, developing, and researching proposals to further the mission of the program and support the assigned office. Researches, analyzes, and evaluates state and federal policy and training matters for the Director and responds to a wide variety of internal and external communications. Utilizes professional judgment and decision‐making ability to make recommendations for the program at an executive level. Consequence of error would be significant, far‐reaching and have a negative impact on the program’s legal standing and federal compliance.

Employee Benefits

• 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
• state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits

Minimum Qualifications

• Comprehensive working knowledge of complex statewide State Programs areas including Child Support Enforcement program and the federal child support system, Office of Background Investigations for Licensing Programs and associated policies, State Disbursement Programs and/or with similar organizations/agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead project teams and/or business units for operational support to include tracking and monitoring goals and objectives.
• Considerable knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office software programs and automated information systems.
• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze and write policy documents, standard operating procedures, position papers and/or other management level documents.
• Work experience with complex government payment to include an understanding of collection techniques and budgetary practices and/or document management operations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret and apply federal and state laws, policies, procedures and regulations to evaluate operational impact.
• Demonstrated ability to establish, collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external customers and work cooperatively with multiple levels of individuals within an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in employee development and team building through a variety of initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to apply problem-solving techniques to a variety of situations; analyze and assess district activity/productivity; analyze and apply complex federal and state legislation; plan, evaluate, and implement legislation; deal with complex and critical issues and to manage multiple projects and/or assignments using time management skills with minimal detailed supervision to plan, implement and prioritize workload; fulfill the needs of internal and external customers, providing timely resolutions and working with a diverse clientele; and display excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong organizational and analytical thinking skills. Thorough understanding of the important role the program plays in ensuring self-sufficiency and family well-being.

Additional Considerations

• Training or coursework in business or public administration, human services, legal or policy studies, behavioral or social science or related field.
• Applied working knowledge of project management, change management, organizational development, or other related improvement and innovation approaches and methodologies (e.g. design thinking, strategic planning, facilitation, LEAN, etc.).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Pro, Visio, MS Project, Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and work proactively to make helpful suggestions/recommendations for areas of process improvement.
• Lean Six Sigma Series Green Belt certification

Special Instructions

This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy. Note: This position is not 100% telework and currently requires the incumbent to report to the office 3 days a week with 2 days telework, after successfully completing initial position and agency training. This is subject to change based on agency need and management discretion.

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.

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.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS – Division of Human Resources

Phone: [e-mail]

Email: [e-mail]

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.