Director - Office of Economic Assistance

Director - Office of Economic Assistance (Open)

The Director of the Office of Economic Assistance (OEA) provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for statewide public assistance programs administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Director is responsible for ensuring the effective administration of programs that support economic stability, food security, employment readiness, and financial well-being for Nebraskans. This role leads policy development, program administration, operational strategy, and stakeholder engagement for major state and federally funded assistance programs that help individuals and families achieve long-term self-sufficiency and economic mobility. Programs administered through OEA provide critical medical, nutritional, employment, and financial support services to families, children, older adults, low-income individuals, and individuals with disabilities across Nebraska. The Director collaborates with DHHS leadership, federal and state partners, legislators, and community stakeholders to ensure programs are delivered efficiently, in compliance with federal and state requirements, and aligned with the agency's mission of helping people live better lives.

Salary: The starting annual salary for this position is $160,000. Final compensation will be commensurate with education and experience, if approved.

Essential Functions:

• Direct statewide administration of public assistance programs, ensuring effective service delivery and compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.
• Establish strategic priorities and operational goals for the Office of Economic Assistance and lead large-scale cross-system initiatives that improve efficiency, strengthen program alignment, and enhance customer service.
• Provide executive oversight of multiple federally funded assistance programs and funding streams, ensuring program integrity and alignment with federal requirements and state priorities.
• Lead policy development and legislative strategy, including evaluating proposed legislation and implementing statutory or regulatory changes impacting public assistance programs.
• Represent DHHS in engagement with federal partners, legislators, advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders to support coordinated service delivery and economic stability initiatives.
• Direct program integrity and compliance activities, ensuring accurate eligibility determinations and reducing fraud, waste, and abuse through strong oversight and accountability.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Social Work, Human Services, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Significant leadership experience in public assistance programs, social services administration, human services policy, or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex programs funded by federal and state resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Social Work, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Executive leadership experience within a large human services organization.
• Experience overseeing federally funded programs such as SNAP, TANF, or similar economic assistance initiatives.
• Experience working with legislative bodies, community organizations, and multi-agency initiatives.

Location: This position is typically based in Lincoln, Nebraska, within the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. This role may require occasional travel for meetings, stakeholder engagement, and program oversight activities.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit:

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.