SNAP Director((Social Services Program Administration Manager) Hybrid)

Introduction

Are you looking to tackle a leadership role? Do you have experience in the management of social services programs and/or policies? We might have just the opportunity you've been looking for to join our team as the State of Connecticut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Director!

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), we are recruiting for a Social Services Program Administration Manager to join our Division of Program Oversight & Grant Administration as the state's SNAP Director.

This management level role will be vital in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the SNAP team, including activities related to SNAP eligibility and policy, SNAP legislation and legislative testimony, employment and training, nutrition education, and outreach. The successful candidate will demonstrate considerable knowledge of the SNAP program.

What We Can Offer You:

• Visit our newState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

Position details:

• Located at Central Office at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT.
• Full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Monday through Friday, first shift.
• Telework usually offered at the maximum level permitted by state and agency policy.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Ethan Ives at Ethan.Ives@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Aging and DisabilityServices, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addictions Services, SocialServices, and the Office of Early Childhood this class is accountable formanaging program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoringfor 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
  • and ability to apply 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

• Experience with the laws and regulations of the SNAP program, including activities related to eligibility, employment and training, nutrition education, and outreach
• Experience creating and implementing new policies and regulations.
• Experience analyzing and evaluating complex policy issues
• Experience identifying and implementing efficiencies across programs and ensure maximum program integrity
• Experience developing, designing, and implementing data reports.
• Experience interacting with federal agencies and complying with federal requirements
• Experience with legal, economic, political, technological, and business issues affecting public benefit programs
• Involvement in the legislative process
• Experience leading program administrative staff

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 ConnecticutGeneral Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that sharegeneral characteristics and are categorized under a single title foradministrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to beall-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.