Associate Director in the Division of Eligibility Operations (Hybrid)

State of Connecticut - Department of Social Services -
Hartford, CT

Apply Now

Job Details

Full-time
$116,650 - $159,051 a year
5 hours ago

Benefits

Professional development assistance
Loan forgiveness

Qualifications

Team leadership
General management
Senior leadership

Full Job Description

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact on the lives of aging individuals and people with disabilities? If so, we encourage you to consider the Social Services Program Administration Manager!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) – is accepting applications for an Associate Director in the Division of Eligibility Operations (Long Term Care Support Services) located in Hartford, CT.

The incumbent will serve as an Associate Director in the Division of Eligibility Operations - Long Term Services & Support (LTSS) responsible for operations and oversight of the Resource Centers.

The Division of Eligibility Operations is comprised of twelve Resource Centers located throughout the state providing direct statewide access to the majority of programs administered by DSS. The Division of Eligibility Operations is the DSS connection to the local communities, working closely with Community Action Agencies, other state agencies, not for profits, hospitals, long-term care facilities, local boards, and many community-based organizations.

The Associate Director for Eligibility Operations (LTSS) reports to the Director of Eligibility Operations and is part of the Eligibility Operations leadership team which also includes two additional Associate Directors of Eligibility Operations for Processing, Service Center and Benefit Center Management.

The Department of Social Services is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and results-driven Social Services Program Administration Manager to lead the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) division.

In this critical leadership role, you will oversee the strategic direction, daily operations, and continuous improvement of LTSS/HCBS eligibility services, ensuring that individuals receive timely access to the care and supports they need in institutional and home-based settings. You will lead and develop a team responsible for aligning clinical and financial eligibility determinations, establish clear performance expectations and accountability structures, and use data, trends, and real-time system information to identify barriers and improve outcomes.

You will also serve as a key liaison to providers, community organizations, advocacy groups, state partners, and internal divisions, fostering transparent communication, effective issue resolution, and shared accountability. Through coaching, mentorship, performance management, business process improvement, and collaboration on policy and system enhancements, you will help create a responsive and high-performing operation that keeps the needs of the people we serve at the center of our work.

If you are an innovative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, communicates effectively with diverse stakeholders, and is motivated by using data and strategic thinking to improve access to critical services, we invite you to bring your expertise to the Department of Social Services and help strengthen Connecticut’s LTSS/HCBS system.

Position Highlights:

Location: 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT
Full-time | Hybrid
Monday - Friday | 8:00 am – 4:30

What we can offer you:

View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

About the Department of Social Services:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS services about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, online and phone access options. Follow us on twitter @ctdss and see what we are all about!

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.
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 [email protected].
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 Rocky Young at [email protected]

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Aging and Disability Services, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addictions Services, Social Services, and the Office of Early Childhood this class is accountable for managing program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring for 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 managing large agency divisions
Experience with Title XIX of the Social Security Act, the state legislative process and HCBS waivers
Experience with HCBS, level of care criteria, and dual-eligible integration
Experience and familiarity with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), State Medicaid waivers and LTSS Medicaid requirements
Experience leading and supervising staff including but not limited to assigning, guiding and reviewing others’ work.
Experience with Long Term Services and Support.
Experience with interpreting policies/regulations, investigative and auditing.
Experience with developing procedures/guidelines for large groups of staff.
Experience with continuously evaluating and Improving processes to ensure program success.
Experience with communicating effectively to a wide variety of professionals and stakeholders.
Experience with organizational strategic planning, change efforts and communications for an operational agency.
Experience working in a fast-paced work environment requiring action and reaction to developing situations.
Experience working with infrastructure and business teams to support troubleshooting analysis and the development of resolutions.
Experience utilizing Microsoft Access and Excel to manipulate and analyze large data sets in a professional setting.
Experience with managing large data sets, running, evaluating basic statistics and ad hoc reports.
Experience creating data visualizations and step by step instructions.
Experience using SharePoint and other Microsoft Office 365 software.

Apply Now

Selection Plan

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected