Special Projects Manager #W1492

Title: Special Projects Manager #W1492

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist III

Hiring Range:  $88,002 - $104,714/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 (VDSS), 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 Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Local Engagement and Support is currently seeking a Special Projects Manager. This position is responsible for leading numerous, simultaneous projects that may be held within the Division, may span other Divisions across the Human Services Portfolio, or intersect with other VDSS portfolios and divisions, as well as with local and community partners. This position is responsible for planning and overseeing a variety of Division-wide initiatives and projects to ensure they are completed in a timely fashion and within budget to support Division outcomes and goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience managing multifaceted projects.
• Project management experience with proficiency in project management tools, to include Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello, and Excel.
• Demonstrated experience setting and managing stakeholder expectations.
• Considerable experience defining the project scope and timeline and creating documentation based on the initiative or project requirements.
• Demonstrated experience providing guidance and training for project team, as needed to support project outcomes.
• Demonstrated success providing leadership to team projects, and success in achieving stated outcomes and objectives within a specified timeframe.
• Proven ability to manage tasks including creating, assigning, and monitoring personal and team progress in order to deliver a high-quality product.
• Knowledgeable in change management and implementation science principles.
• Ability to align project and team goals to match those of the organization from a ‘big picture’ perspective.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing a clear vision of projects, goals, and objectives, and share the vision of organizational success to spark excitement in others.
• Experience in guiding process improvement and promoting principles of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI.)
• Ability to think critically and promote cooperation, trust, and open exchange of ideas.
• Ability to network and collaborate within and across divisions to achieve positive results.
• Ability to be adaptable and agile in order to foster innovative solutions and deployment of resources in a fast-paced environment.

Approaches projects and initiatives with a broad perspective of the whole effort and not solely at an individual stakeholder or task level.

Additional Considerations

• Project management certification (PMP) or equivalent experience.
• Process improvement certification (Agile or Lean Six Sigma) or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of Virginia’s social service programs and delivery system.

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.

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 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.