Director of Benefit Programs

Title: Director of Benefit Programs

State Role Title:Gen Admin Manager III

Hiring Range: Up to $170000 (Commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 7

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 Virginia Department of Social Services is excited to share that we are looking for a Director of Benefit Programs to help join and lead our team!

The Director of Benefit Programs leads and oversees the administration of essential public services and programs in Virginia in support of VDSS mission priorities and commitment to the Commonwealth. Serving as a key advisor to the executive team the Director advances the vision and long-term direction of the Benefit Programs division and oversees its legislative budgetary operational and workforce functions to ensure compliance performance excellence culture leadership and the effective stewardship of resources.

The Director leads a team of professionals responsible for critical public assistance and workforce programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Medicaid Assistance (MA) Energy Assistance Programs (EAP) Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) and workforce development programs including Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) and SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T). The Director oversees all service delivery models including eligibility determination case management workforce services and customer support channels and leads efforts to modernize systems streamline processes and improve the customer experience across programs.

The Director ensures the systematic application of program policy performance standards and internal controls to promote consistency accountability and program integrity statewide. The Director also aligns policies with agency priorities and state and federal requirements while identifying testing and implementing innovative strategies to advance economic mobility and strengthen the economic security of low-income Virginians.

The Director builds and maintains strategic partnerships with federal agencies (including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) state leadership local departments of social services community action agencies and other community-based organizations workforce services partners and cross-functional staff within VDSS. The Director ensures effective coordination and alignment of all statewide benefit programs and leads the development and execution of major policy initiatives regulatory updates legislative proposals and strategic program enhancements while working with internal and external stakeholders to anticipate emerging issues ensure cohesive messaging and guide high-profile initiatives that are critical in helping Virginians achieve and maintain independence.

Minimum Qualifications

Human services program administration including public policy development legislative processes regulatory interpretation and monitoring of federal guidance and directives
Experience in leading crisis and change management and building high-performing teams to deliver results
Experience analyzing complex human services challenges conducting deep-dive analysis and proposing executive-level action plans
Experience developing robust strategies and directing multi-dimensional operations including budget technology and workforce solutions
Advanced knowledge of areas related to economic mobility economic security food security workforce services and human services transformation
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as state federal and local agencies public officials and community groups

Additional Considerations

Experience managing human services programs in Virginia Social Services System
Federal and state laws funding and regulations governing SNAP TANF Medicaid Child Care and LIHEAP including eligibility rules quality assurance requirements fiscal accountability and reporting mandates
Experience leveraging technology to advance program implementation and customer service

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.

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

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 employees 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 Commonwealths Teleworking policy on a case-by-case basis.

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.