Title: Project Manager #W2063
State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist III
Hiring Range: $86,590 – $101,745/yr.
Pay Band: 6
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.
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 Division of Benefit Programs at the Virginia Department of Social Services is currently seeking a Project Manager. This position is responsible for management and oversight of Division projects that enhance and support the delivery of services to Virginians.
Responsibilities revolve around leveraging project management principles to effectively direct, monitors team’s progress, secure stakeholder input, streamline processes, adhere to guidance, regulations and address the unique challenges faced in the human services sector. This position is also the liaison to the Division’s IT Portfolio Team ensuring systems needs for projects are communicated and kept on track for implementation. This position will facilitate and participate in workgroups. This position collaborates, builds, and maintains relationships with external, internal partners/stake holders and advocates to successfully implement Benefit Programs projects/initiatives across the Division by coordinating project activities, resources, and stakeholders.
The position reports to the Associate Director for Strategic Outcomes.
Minimum Qualifications
- Experience in project management to include successfully developing, implementing, and leading projects.
- Experience in establishing and maintaining cooperative partnerships with external and internal partners/ stakeholders and advocates.
- Experiencing in researching, interpreting, and applying Federal/State policies and regulations.
- Experience in public or business administration, Human Services, or organizational leadership.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Basic knowledge of human service programs offered by the Virginia Social Service System.
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing and experience delivering presentations to a variety of audiences.
- Experience planning, organizing, prioritizing, and managing work, collecting and analyzing information, and reading, understanding, and interpreting statistical data.
- Demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining cooperative partnerships with external and internal partners/ stakeholders and advocates.
- Highly organized and detailed oriented.
- Ability to lead projects, develop project plans, and implement projects/initiatives.
- Ability to interpret and apply Federal/State policies and regulations.
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including delivering presentations to a variety of audiences.
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and manage work.
- Ability to collect and analyze information.
- Ability to interpret statistical data.
- Ability to proficiently utilize Microsoft Office Suite products.
- Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams to address operational gaps, define solutions and deliver projects in an accurate, timely and cost-effective manner.
- Knowledge in project management principles.
Key competencies required include:
Influence Others – The ability to work with people of diverse styles and backgrounds, to gain trust and support of peers, and to find common ground and solve problems for the good of all.
Focus on Customer – The person who is effective in this competency embraces a customer-focused mindset in all parts of engagement with internal and external customers and demonstrates concern for satisfying the expectations of customers and uses their understanding of customer needs as the basis for decision-making and actions.
Manage the Work Process – The ability to figure out the processes and workflows necessary to get things done, develop a plan and organize people and activities to achieve the best results.
Build Relationships – The ability to work with people of diverse styles and backgrounds, to gain trust and support of peers, and to find common ground and solve problems for the good of all.
Solve Problems – The ability to use logic, critical thinking, and analysis skills to identify and analyze problems in a systematic but timely manner, drawing correct and realistic conclusions based on data and information, and accurately assessing root causes before moving to solutions.
Lead Others – Through trust, empowerment, and teamwork, create an environment that supports diverse perspectives, fairness, dignity, compassion, and creativity. The ability to work with and influence others to achieve common goals.
Additional Considerations
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification; or, Commonwealth of Virginia Project Management certification for majorprojects preferred.
- Experience using AGILE methodology.
- Knowledge of systems utilized in human services delivery, such as the Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS).
- Experience working in the Commonwealth’s state supervised and locally administered social services system.
- Experience working with public assistance programs delivered by the Virginia Department of Social Services.
- Experience with data analysis to gather information, inform conclusions and support decision making.
- Proficiency with Project Management tools such as TEAMS, JIRA and Confluence.
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.
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.
This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy.
Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
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.
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.
Contact Information
Name: VDSS – Division of Human Resources
Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov
Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov
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 Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.