Associate Commissioner of Food Security and Nutrition Programs

DescriptionThe Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency. DTA is actively searching for an Associate Commissioner for Food Security and Nutrition. To be successful in this position, you must be able to lead and influence change. You thrive in a fast-moving, dynamic environment. You have a knack for building relationships with various stakeholders. You are passionate about policy and program management. You are an innovator who thinks outside the box. You strive to develop programs and strategies that will make a lasting impact. You are empathetic, intellectually curious, and aspire to effect change. Addressing food insecurity is one of the four identified pillars of the Department of Transitional Assistance’s mission. Facing the highest caseload in agency history, serving over a million individuals, the need for services is profound. As a member of the executive team, the Associate Commissioner for Food Security and Nutrition will lead the administration of the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and ensure all food security unit initiatives are communicated to other business units, concurrently ensuring all questions and concerns related to the food security programs are considered in Department-wide initiatives. In addition, the Associate Commissioner for Food Security and Nutrition is responsible for providing supervision, support, guidance, and vision to the SNAP Director, the Director of Food Access and Nutrition, and the Director of the Healthy Incentives Program.The primary tool at DTA’s disposal to address food insecurity is SNAP. SNAP is a federally funded program that provides vital nutrition assistance to the residents of the Commonwealth. SNAP serves as a nutritional asset for low-income individuals and families while simultaneously functioning as an economic benefactor. Currently, SNAP benefits in Massachusetts exceed $2 billion annually, with over one million residents receiving SNAP benefits. Additional programs under the umbrella of food security and nutrition include the SNAP Outreach Program, SNAP Nutrition Education Program (SNAP Ed), Summer EBT (S-EBT), and the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP).Another primary focus of the Associate Commissioner for Food Security and Nutrition is to recognize opportunities for agencies and organizations to streamline programs and policies to increase access to nutritious food and improve the overall health of the residents of the Commonwealth. This includes but is not limited to leadership roles in statewide, cross-secretariat and cross-agency food security work groups, researching and developing strategies to decrease food deserts, implementing innovative strategies to increase access to services within ones community, reconciling policies, programs, and operations across government agencies, reduce administrative burden while improving service delivery, widening access to Department nutrition and employment programs, and continue to grow the collaboration between state agencies and local farmers.Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):· Advance DTA’s mission to address the issue of food insecurity by maximizing enrollment and access to the SNAP, Summer EBT, Nutrition Education, and Healthy Incentives Programs.· Support internal culture shifts with a highlight on client engagement, streamlined access, and efficient processing.· Partner with thought leaders across the state and country to engage in meaningful, research-based analysis to holistically promote cross-system solutions designed to address food insecurity.· Provide management guidance in designing and implementing policy and program management, quality improvement, monitoring processes, and communication strategies.· Support and monitor the completion of business process improvement projects and facilitate collaborative operational problem-solving and decision-making.· Work with the Commissioner to define goals, desired outcomes, and means for measuring success for high-priority projects.· Collaborate with executive staff, department heads, and senior managers to further define and shape priority projects and ensure successful completion.· Advise the Commissioner in deciding strategic, policy, program, and service provision issues related to food security programs. · Prepare position papers for the Commissioner and EHS about service provision policy, program initiatives, issues, and strategies.· Represent the Department at various inter-agency meetings, with state and federal agencies, at public events, and with stakeholders and the public.Preferred Qualifications:· Understanding of DTA objectives, goals, policies, procedures, and long-term strategic plans, as well as SNAP.· Familiar with linkages to community-based services, advocacy, and resources.· Demonstrated experience of Federal and State laws and regulations governing the agency's functions.· Knowledge of legislative and communication policies and processes.· Strong understanding of community capacity and needs, neighborhood-based network of coalitions, teams, and community-based sites· Expertise with key entities in the food security network, social determinants of health, and the impact of food security.· Skilled in problem-solving, consensus building, conflict resolution, and team building.· Experience in program policy and development, analysis, and program evaluation.· Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and verbal/written communication skills.· Ability to prioritize competing tasks under time constraints; comfortable owning multiple workstreams with finite executive direction.· Strong problem-solving orientation and track record of exercising initiative, discretion, and judgment in managing high-profile projects.· Ability to track the progress of each project and identify project improvement opportunities and strategies.· Experience managing a diverse team and ability to address cross-functional needs and goals.· Passion for public service and commitment to cultivating a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment.· Experience with operations, budgeting, and/or contract management, ideally within a public sector organization.About the Department of Transitional Assistance: The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency. DTA oversees benefits and expenditures of over $2 billion annually and provides services to over one million low-income individuals and families across the Commonwealth with a staff of over 1,650 employees who work at 21 locations throughout the State. The programs administered by DTA include Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Emergency Assistance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), Summer EBT (S-EBT) and Employment Services.Learn more about our services and programs visit: Pre-Offer Process:A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io and select option #4.QualificationsMINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least three (3) years must have been in a managerial capacity.Comprehensive BenefitsWhen you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.Job Field: Administrative ServicesOrganization: Department of Transitional AssistanceSchedule: Full-timeShift: Day