Social Services Program Administration Manager

Introduction

Are you a current state employee who has five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health policy, program administration, healthcare management or Medicaid programming and looking to take your career to the next level? We invite you to explore this opportunity!


The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has an anticipated vacancy for a Behavioral Health Manager (Social Services Program Administration Manager) located in Hartford, CT.


If you're ready for role as a senior leader in overseeing the State's major health services contracts, please read below and submit your application!


POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• LOCATION : Central Office (Hartford, CT) with hybrid schedule flexibility (office/telework) available consistent with State of CT Telework Policy.
• SHIFT : First shift | Full time | 40 hours per week
• SCHEDULE : Monday - Friday
• NOTE : You must be a current State of Connecticut employee to be considered. Please see selection plan for additional details. *Please note that DSS takes part in the E-Verify system, which is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

BENEFITS & BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

As an employee, we can offer you:

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• A work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance to all employees.
• State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

We invite you to view our State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn more.


In addition, the State puts an emphasis on:

• Providing limitless opportunities;
• Hiring for diversity and fresh perspectives;
• Performing meaningful work and;
• Encouraging a healthy work/life balance!

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.


YOUR ROLE


This senior leadership position is responsible for overseeing the State's major health services contracts. The role provides strategic, operational, and regulatory oversight across behavioral health, dental services, medical administrative services, and non-emergency medical transportation for over one million Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members.


Key responsibilities include:

• Behavioral Health (Carelon BH and related initiatives): Lead oversight of the Carelon Behavioral Health contract and a broader portfolio of behavioral health programs, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CBHC), Substanc use Disorder Services (SUD) services, justice-involved populations, early childhood behavioral health (e.g., Zero to Three), and the SUD 1115 Waiver. Ensure system integration, network adequacy, quality improvement, value-based payment models, CMS compliance, and extensive stakeholder engagement.
• Dental Services (BeneCare): Provide strategic oversight of the State's dental program, including vendor management, policy development, quality and performance improvement, provider and member support, health equity initiatives, and cross-agency coordination.
• Medical ASO (CHN CT): Oversee administrative operations for Medicaid and CHIP, including member and provider services, data analytics, quality management, program integrity, and regulatory compliance, while driving systemwide performance and innovation.

Overall, the position ensures high-quality, equitable, efficient, effective and compliant service delivery across the Medicaid enterprise through contract oversight, policy leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and data-driven performance management.

More details can be found in the class specification and the 'Examples of Duties' section below.

ABOUT OUR AGENCY

DSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut's multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS serves 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, and online and phone access options.

START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

Selection Plan

NEW : Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!


Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS RECRUITMENT:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
• Please include any related certification and licensure credential details within your application.
• Be sure to select all locations you are interested in and commutable to.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.
• 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:

• NEW : Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• 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

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 Samantha Rivera at View email address on click.appcast.io

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 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

• Master's degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health policy, program administration, healthcare management, or Medicaid programs.
• Experience overseeing behavioral health service delivery systems, including mental health and substance use disorder services.
• Knowledge of federal and state behavioral health regulations, Medicaid authorities, and value-based payment models.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral health policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including providers, state agencies, advocacy groups, and individuals with lived experience.
• Experience managing contracts, grants, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations, and policy recommendations for executive leadership.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and facilitating cross-agency collaboration.
• Knowledge of health equity, social determinants of health, and strategies to improve access to behavioral health services.
• Experience with federal waiver programs, including Section 1115 demonstrations and behavioral health transformation initiatives.
• Professional licensure or certification (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist, PMP, or other relevant credential) is desirable but not required.

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 Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.