Social Services Program Administration Manager (Behavioral Health Manager (Hybrid))

State of Connecticut - Department of Correction; Hartford (CT); Híbrido; USD 95.000 - 125.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Professional growth

Healthy work-life balance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness-qualif

Descripción de la vacante

The State of Connecticut Department of Social Services seeks a Behavioral Health Manager to lead program administration across behavioral health services. You will oversee operations, guide staff, and develop policies to strengthen services for individuals and families.

The role emphasizes data-driven evaluation and collaboration with state and federal partners. You will work in Hartford in a hybrid setup, shaping program goals and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations while addressing

Formación

• Nine (9) years of professional experience in the delivery of social services programs and/or policies.
• One (1) year of managerial or consultative capacity with programmatic/administrative responsibility for a regional or statewide social services program.
• For state employees, experience at the level of Program Manager, Operations Manager, Public Assistance Consultant, Planning Specialist or Associate Accountant.

Responsabilidades

• Manage staff and operations of unit/program.
• Implement social services programs/policies.
• Coordinate, plan and manage unit activities.
• Formulate program goals and objectives from agency data.
• Develop or assist in policy development.
• Interpret and administer relevant laws.
• Coordinate research, data analysis and program planning.
• Monitor and evaluate programs for cost-effectiveness and quality.
• Identify training needs for staff.
• Advise leadership on legislative and policy impacts.
• Monitor program/policy changes and respond accordingly.
• Prepare or assist in budget preparation.

Conocimientos

Management principles

State and federal laws

Social services programs

Agency policies

Community partnerships

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Policy interpretation

Educación

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in public health/health administration/social work/psychology/policy

Descripción del empleo

Introduction

Do you have nine (9) years of professional experience in the delivery of social services programs and/or policies? If so, we welcome you to consider the Social Services Program Administration Manager positions below! The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) – is accepting applications for one (1) anticipated full-time Behavioral Health Manager (Social Services Program Administration Manager) located in Hartford, CT. In this leadership role, you will help shape and strengthen behavioral health programs that support individuals, families, and communities across Connecticut. You will oversee program operations, guide staff, develop and implement policies, and use data-driven insights to evaluate program effectiveness and improve service delivery. Working collaboratively with agency leadership, state and federal partners, and community organizations, you will help advance program goals, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and address emerging legislative and policy priorities. If you are a strategic leader passionate about improving behavioral health services and making a meaningful difference in the lives of Connecticut residents, we encourage you to apply today!

Position Highlights

• Location: Central Office, Hartford, CT
• Full-time | Hybrid
• Monday - Friday | 8:00 am – 4:30

What we can offer you

• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.

About the Department of Social Services

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS services about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, online and phone access options.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

In the Departments of Aging and Disability Services, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addictions Services, Social Services, and the Office of Early Childhood this class is accountable for managing program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring for a major agency program area.

Examples of Duties

• Manages staff and/or operations of unit/program;
• Implements social services programs/policies;
• Coordinates, plans and manages unit/program activities;
• Formulates program goals and objectives through the review of agency data;
• Develops or assists in development of related policy;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Coordinates research, data analysis and program planning efforts;
• Monitors, analyzes and evaluates programs/policies to determine cost-effectiveness and quality of service;
• Identifies and coordinates training needs;
• Advises leadership of legislative, legal or other program/policy impacts and recommends an appropriate position;
• Monitors all internally and externally initiated program/policy changes;
• Researches, prepares and presents testimony to legislative committees, study committees and courts regarding social services issues;
• Evaluates staff;
• Prepares or assists in budget preparation;
• Maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of agency who might impact program activities;
• Acts as agency contact with state, federal and community agencies on social services to ensure service delivery;
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

Considerable knowledge of

management principles and practices;

relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;

social services programs, early childhood programs, deaf and hard of hearing programs, programs for older adults and/or programs for individuals with intellectual disability or behavioral health issues;

relevant agency policies and procedures;

Knowledge of community organizations and social services agencies;

Considerable interpersonal skills;

oral and written communication skills;

Considerable ability to interpret complex written material including legal narrative and to assess the impact thereof on programmatic goals.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the delivery of social services programs and/or policies.

Minimum Qualifications - Special Experience

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a managerial or consultative capacity with programmatic and administrative responsibility for a regional or statewide social services program.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Program Manager, Operations Manager, Public Assistance Consultant, Planning Specialist and Associate Accountant.

Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in social work, public administration, accounting, early childhood education or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health policy, program administration, healthcare management, or Medicaid programs.
• Experience overseeing behavioral health service delivery systems, including mental health and substance use disorder services.
• Knowledge of and experience with federal and state behavioral health regulations, Medicaid authorities, and value-based payment models.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral health policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Experience with collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including providers, state agencies, advocacy groups, and individuals with lived experience.
• Experience managing contracts, grants, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Experience with project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations, and policy recommendations for executive leadership.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and facilitating cross-agency collaboration.
• Knowledge of health equity, social determinants of health, and strategies to improve access to behavioral health services.
• Experience with federal waiver programs, including Section 1115 demonstrations and behavioral health transformation initiatives.
• Professional licensure or certification (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist, PMP, or other relevant credential) is desirable but not required.

Eligibility and Background Checks

This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.