Assistant Division Director Sr.

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, Division of Family Services Strategic Outcomes is currently seeking an Assistant Division Director, Sr. This position serves as the assistant to the Director of the Division and is responsible for leading the planning, development, implementation, and directing the operations and support activities of the division.

The position serves as a strategic leader and is responsible for building a successful team to operationalize the day-today administrative, procurement, contract and continuous quality improvement functions while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and agency policies and procedures. The position plays a vital role as an advisor to program managers across the division in the operation and management of programs, assuring effectiveness and efficiency to support VDSS' mission, vision and goals.

As a member of the division's management team and under the leadership of the Division Director, the position sets the strategic direction and plan for the division's future, not in a silo but with the entire division's mission and vision in mind to move its business goals forward.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience in child welfare programs, business administration and human services field. Demonstrated knowledge of family services programs delivered through the Virginia Social Services System. Knowledge of the operations and workings of the Commonwealth’s state supervised and locally administered social services system. Comprehensive knowledge and experience in systems planning and development methods; skill in problem identification and resolution. Comprehensive knowledge of social service laws, principles and practices, especially state and local services programs and outcomes. Effective leadership skills and ability to supervise, organize and direct professional staff. Strong relationship management skills and demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships, influence change, create and maintain credibility among colleagues and senior leadership. Knowledge of principles and practices of quality management, continuous improvement practices, achieving target outcomes, and assessment and evaluation of child/family programs. Ability to plan and implement process improvements across the organization to improve customer service, program and operational efficiency and effectiveness. Understanding of the Commonwealth’s budget and procurement policies and practices. Demonstrated track record of being proactive, managing multiple complex projects or large scale operations simultaneously for the organization or department. Demonstrated ability to work with and managing cross functional teams to address operational gaps, define solutions, and manage the implementation of improvements with tangible results. Strong organizational and analytical skills. Experience managing and building a culture to support a diverse workforce. Proficient computer skills, including typing and working with Microsoft Office products, specifically Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Key competencies:

Communication - The ability to express clearly in conversations and interactions with others, verbally and non-verbally, in business writing and presentations by tailoring the content and messages to the level of the audience.

The ability to work with people of diverse styles and backgrounds, to gain trust and support of peers, and to find common ground and solve problems for the good of all. The ability to develop and communicate goals, ensuring employees understand how their work relates to the organizations mission and goals. The ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally with confidence, composure, credibility, and connection. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and manage multiple and competing tasks or assignments. Ability to analyze and interpret laws, regulations and policies.

People Orientation - The ability to provide support and services that consistently meets and sometimes exceed the standards and expectations of internal and external customers.

Demonstrated customer-focused mindset in all parts of engagement with internal and external customers. He or she demonstrates concern for satisfying the expectations of customers, and uses their understanding of customer needs as the basis for decision-making and actions. Demonstrated ability to delegate responsibility and provide employees or team members with the opportunity to develop new skills, strengthen areas needing improvement, carry out challenging assignments, and accept new responsibilities. He or she also empowers others by conveying confidence in other’s ability to be successful. The ability to create an environment where employees or team members are committed to the organization and willing to extend discretionary efforts to help achieve its goals.

Operational Excellence - The ability to figure out the processes and workflows necessary to get things done, develop a plan and organize people and activities to achieve the best results.

The ability to take responsibility for one’s own and others’ performance, by setting clear, specific and measurable goals and expectations, tracking progress against the goals, ensuring feedback, and addressing performance problems promptly. The ability to consistently communicate business goals, outcomes and performance measures, and clarify priorities.

Collaboration/Build Relationships - The ability to work with people of diverse styles and backgrounds, to gain trust and support of peers, and to find common ground and solve problems for the good of all.

Build Teams - The ability to demonstrate interest, skill and success in fostering strong morale and open dialogue in the team, where people are included in discussions, processes and decisions regardless of their background and differences.

Build Coalitions - The ability to recognize the interests of others in different parts of the organization and to establish alliances and achieve business goals.

Learning and Innovation/Solve Problems - The ability to use logic, critical thinking and analysis skills to identify and analyze problems in a systematic but timely manner, drawing correct and realistic conclusions based on data and information, and accurately assessing root causes before moving to solutions.

Foster Innovation - The ability to foster a climate that encourages creativity and innovation, while building and maintaining open channels of communications for the sharing of ideas, new and improved methods, products, procedures, or technologies.

Know the Business - The ability to understand how businesses and strategies work, and how current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information affect the organization.

Leadership/Lead Others - Through trust, empowerment, and teamwork, create an environment that supports diverse perspectives, fairness, dignity, compassion, and creativity. The ability to work with and influence others to achieve common goals.

Lead Performance – The ability to set clear performance goals, outcomes and measures for team or work unit and to follow through with a collective commitment to accomplishing those targets. This includes checking on the progress and quality of the work and providing specific feedback on a regular basis so others understand what they have done well and how they can improve in the future.

Lead Change - The ability to demonstrate support for innovation and for organizational changes needed to improve the organization’s effectiveness, by initiating, sponsoring and implementing them.

Additional Considerations

Demonstrated experience with IT systems transformation and migration related to child welfare.

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.

The selected candidate is required to file a Statement of Economic Interests form pursuant to the Code of Virginia § 2.2-3114, as a condition of employment. The filing must be completed on or before the first day of employment and annually thereafter on or before February 1. The selected candidate is required to complete the Statement of Economic Interest training within 2-months of becoming a state filer and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years commencing on the first odd-numbered year thereafter. For more information, please visit

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.

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: ov

Email: ov

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.

---