Economic Mobility Director, #W5462

Title: Economic Mobility Director #W5462

State Role Title:Prog Admin Manager III

Hiring Range: $104000 $125000 per year (salary commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location:DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: 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 1650 (state) and 12200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System who ensure that thousands of Virginias most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

The Economic Mobility Director reporting to the Deputy Commissioner Strategy & Engagement plays a pivotal role in shaping the agencys workforce strategy and overseeing the implementation of its programs. This position is responsible for designing and executing career pathways and support services that drive economic mobility for individuals served through programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) the Virginia Initiative for Employment and Work (VIEW) the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) and child support services. This role is responsible for overseeing operations and performance outcomes while setting the strategic direction for the office. The role requires developing and expanding sectoral training programs apprenticeships and employer partnerships that not only provide immediate employment opportunities but also lay the foundation for long-term financial stability and career addition to managing policy development personnel management fiscal operations and performance reporting the director will collaborate with local social service departments workforce agencies and boards and educational institutions to align resources eliminate redundancies and create a cohesive results-driven workforce development system. Strong partnerships with private sector employers nonprofit organizations and the Virginia Community College System will be essential to building sustainable pathways out of poverty and into stable well-paying careers.

The director will develop and implement a proactive employer engagement strategy that prioritizes long-term workforce partnerships over short-term job placements. This includes working closely with businesses to create structured hiring pipelines employer-sponsored training programs and sustainable career pathways that align with industry needs. The role will require direct collaboration with employers to develop tailored skills training apprenticeship opportunities and industry certifications that improve job retention and wage growth for VDSS clients. Employer engagement success will be assessed based on sustained hiring commitments client wage progression and career advancement outcomes

The director will ensure that workforce programs lead to meaningful long-term employment for clients. This requires continuous evaluation of job retention rates wage progression and career advancement opportunities. Using real-time labor market data the director will adjust training and placement strategies to match employer demand with client skill sets. Rather than prioritizing quick job placements the director will focus on creating structured career pathways that lead to economic independence ensuring that clients transition from low-wage jobs to sustainable careers with opportunities for wage growth and professional development.

Minimum Qualifications

Extensive experience in workforce development economic mobility programs or employer-driven training initiatives with a focus on career pathways apprenticeships skills development and structured hiring partnerships.
Demonstrated success in building and sustaining employer partnerships that result in long-term workforce pipelines and industry-driven upskilling programs.
Proven ability to use workforce data analytics and labor market intelligence to guide programmatic decisions improve job retention outcomes and align workforce education and training with employer demand.
Strong experience managing large-scale workforce funding streams grants and regulatory compliance including knowledge of federal workforce programs (WIOA TANF SNAP E&T WOTC etc.).
Significant leadership experience managing workforce development teams regional workforce boards or multi-stakeholder workforce initiatives aimed at improving workforce development outcomes.
Proficiency in performance-based program evaluation with the ability to track ROI measure long-term client wage progression and redesign workforce strategies based on data insights.
Experience developing and implementing workforce strategies that address barriers to employment (e.g. childcare transportation digital literacy occupational licensing restrictions).

KSAs and/or Competencies required to successfully perform the work:
A strong understanding of federal and state workforce regulations funding streams and grants ensuring compliance while identifying opportunities to improve program effectiveness within regulatory frameworks.
Extensive knowledge of labor market trends workforce development strategies and industry needs allowing for alignment between workforce programs and employer demands.
Deep expertise in workforce development strategies including career pathways sectoral skills training employer engagement and wraparound supportive services that enable long-term employment success and economic mobility.
Thorough understanding of reverse referrals where employers and training providers actively bring participants into the system rather than relying on local DSS case managers to recruit them one by one.
A background in program evaluation and performance measurement with the ability to assess workforce initiatives identify service gaps and refine strategies based on measurable outcomes.
Knowledge of and experience designing and implementing career pathway models including stackable credentials apprenticeship structures and employer-driven training initiatives that connect clients to sustainable high-wage jobs.
Communicate persuasively and effectively advocating for VDSS workforce programs with employers policymakers and community partners to secure long-term workforce investments.

Additional Considerations

Experience leading cross-sector collaborations between government agencies higher education institutions workforce development boards and industry leaders.
Experience in building workforce pipelines for high-demand industries through sector-specific training strategies apprenticeship models and competency-based hiring frameworks.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or rsum is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The selected candidate is required to file a Statement of Economic Interests form pursuant to the Code of Virginia 2.2-3114 as a condition of employment. The filing must be completed on or before the first day of employment and annually thereafter on or before February 1. The selected candidate is required to complete the Statement of Economic Interest training within 2-months of becoming a state filer and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years commencing on the first odd-numbered year thereafter. For more information please visit 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 employees Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

To be considered for this position you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line Virginia Jobs (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

In addition to a rewarding work experience VDSS offers 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 and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching Employee Benefits.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

VDSS does not provide sponsorship.

This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability hours and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealths Teleworking policy.

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.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS Division of Human Resources

Phone:

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths 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 .

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.