Title: Director, Research & Planning #W1572 Repost
State Role Title: Policy Planning Manager III
Hiring Range: $136,000 – $146,000/yr. (commensurate with experience)
Pay Band: 7
Agency: Department of Social Services
Location:DSS HOME OFFICE
Agency Website:www.dss.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public – G
Job Duties
Note: This position is not 100% telework. This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy. The employee may be required to work a schedule that is split between remote and onsite
At the Virginia Department of Social Services, 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.
The Office of Research and Planning at the Virginia Department of Social Services is currently seeking a Division Director. The Director of Research and Planning position reports to the Deputy Commissioner of Strategy and Engagement portfolio and participates as a member of the Leadership Team to fulfill portfolio and agency objectives as established by the Commissioner and the Executive Team.
This senior leadership position is responsible and accountable for the core responsibilities related to the design and implementation of high quality value-added research and evaluation with program and policy relevance. The Director of Research and Planning will be responsible for leading, managing, and monitoring large-scale research and evaluation projects and translating and communicating complicated research in clear, concise ways. This position will also provide high-quality technical support-in both online and in-person formats-to program teams across the agency.
The Director of Research and Planning is responsible for contributing to the strategic planning activities of the agency and conducting think tank functions, new initiatives, surveys, and workshops that meet the current and future needs of the agency.
This position will provide vision and direction for building and nurturing the research and evaluation team and foster an environment of collaboration, learning, and synergy with staff across the agency. The Director of Research and Planning will prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion and cultural sensitivity by creating an inclusive work environment where team members can bring their whole selves to benefit and contribute to the team’s impact and where exclusionary policies and practices are challenged. This position is responsible for building a culture that values a commitment to excellence, rigor, continuous improvement, clarity, open dialogue, consensus building, and action.
This position will contribute to various agency goals, but in particular will be responsible for ensuring the timely implementation of goal-3 related activities. The Director will provide coaching and mentoring to the managers and staff across the division.
Minimum Qualifications
- Extensive experience designing and managing research and analysis projects as well as a broad understanding of research methods and statistical techniques are required.
- Experience in applying structure to abstract theories and disparate data sources, extract pertinent information, and surface key takeaways.
- Extensive experience with statistical analysis software such as Stata or SAS, as well as relational database software.
- Knowledge and experience of program evaluation principles, theories, concepts and practices.
- Knowledge and experience of using evaluation to inform program development.
- Ability in designing and manipulating data using a computer database.
- Experience developing and maintaining longitudinal data management systems.
- Experience supporting and training staff and partners, that are unfamiliar with research and evaluations, to collect, manage and analyze data.
- Proven track record of successfully driving projects from end-to-end.
- Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and monitor value-added research.
- Demonstrated experience in institutional capacity-building initiatives and devise programs to strengthen staff capacity.
- Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and monitor annual evaluations and impact evaluation studies.
Strong ability to develop new research and evaluation initiatives in accordance with the needs and expectations of portfolios/programs. - Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, state, federal, and local agencies, public officials, community groups, other division directors, employees, and the general public.
- Demonstrated experience in the development of performance metrics and continuous improvement systems.
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse personalities, and the wide variety of professional backgrounds and experiences.
- Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and monitoring evaluation plans including logic models, strategic and program evaluation questions, data collection methods, analysis and reporting.
- Ability to analyze information, summarize findings and present them in ways easily understandable to decision-makers.
- Demonstrated experience in preparing and presenting comprehensive reports, findings, and recommendations to senior leadership, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically, multi-task, meet deadlines and be persistent, and solve problems as they arise.
- Ability to set priorities, work independently, and meet tight deadlines.
- Extensive experience in managing diverse research and evaluation project and research teams
Key Competencies:
Connect with Presence
The ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally with confidence, composure, credibility, and connection.
Invite Employees to Engage
The ability to create an environment where employees are committed to the organization and willing to extend discretionary efforts to help achieve its goals.
Drive for Results
The ability to consistently communicate business goals, outcomes and performance measures, and clarify priorities. Translate ideas into actions and look for ways to quickly overcome barriers.
Build Coalitions
The ability to recognize the interests of others in different parts of the organization and to establish alliances and achieve business goals.
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.
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
- Extensive experience in leading research and planning activities within a social services or government agency.
- Experience in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of social services programs and initiatives through rigorous research methodologies and impact assessments.
- Background in machine learning and artificial intelligence
- Solid project management skills, involving planning, execution, and oversight of projects to ensure timely completion within budget. This also includes risk management and problem-solving abilities.
- Solid experience in acting as a liaison for the Office of the Director, representing the Office with service providers, County departments, and other agencies.
- Experience in process enhancement and negotiating contracts or deliberating program requirements.
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.
This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy.
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.
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 (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: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov
Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov
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 Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.