Policy Specialist (Office of Trauma & Resilience Policy)

Policy Specialist #W5467 (Office of Trauma & Resilience Policy)

Job no: 5106539

Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)

Location: Richmond (City), Virginia

Categories: Administrative Services, Health and Human Services

Title: Policy Specialist #W5467 (Office of Trauma & Resilience Policy)

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist II

Hiring Range: $80,000 - $85,000/yr.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website:

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, Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy is currently seeking a Policy Specialist. This position is responsible for leading agency-wide organizational policy and systems change efforts to embed trauma-informed and healing-centered practices across DSS through policy development, implementation infrastructure, and organizational transformation; providing support, training, and technical assistance to support the well-being of the DSS workforce; and developing curricula and tools to ensure DSS and other human services agencies can embed trauma-informed and healing-centered policy into daily practice.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of trauma-informed care and practice.
• Demonstrated experience in the administration of human services, child welfare services, education, juvenile justice or other related fields.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the impact of trauma on individuals and families and trauma-informed service delivery.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to systems supporting a trauma-informed, two generation/whole family service model.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to create, effectively articulate and present complex concepts, ideas and strategies to senior leadership and others throughout the organization.
• Ability to deliver compelling presentations in both small and large group settings and orient the message to value the needs of the audience.
• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze information for federal and state data reporting.
• Strong problem solving, clear decision-making and critical thinking skills.
• Skilled in motivating, influencing, and supporting others to accomplish team and organizational goals.
• Ability to provide technical assistance to state and local staff and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external individuals.
• Knowledge of racial inequities and disproportionality.

Additional Considerations

• Experience conducting applied research or data analysis and translating findings into clear, actionable policy or practice recommendations.
• Experience working with state level legislation, regulations, or policy development, including the ability to assess the appropriateness of actions within a government or human services context.

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.

Please be advised that this position may be approved to work onsite for two days per week and work remotely for three days per week.

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: View email address on click.appcast.io

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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.

Advertised: 19 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 28 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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