PROGRAM MANAGEMENT II

Full Job Description

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About this Unit:

The purpose of the Food and Energy Assistance Division is to administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, Food Distribution programs (FDP), Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (S-EBT), and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

These programs exist to safeguard the health and wellbeing for low income, financially eligible households by providing SNAP and SEBT benefits redeemable for food items at authorized retailers, support through LEAP for heating expenses, commodities for household programs administered by food banks, school meal commodities, and payment processing in the EBT card.

The programs operate in all counties in Colorado, and some are administered locally by the county departments of human/social services.

The Division supervises county departments of human/social services in the administration of these programs and is responsible for assuring that all counties comply with the terms of their county policies and are in compliance with all federal and state statutes and regulations.

Division staff write state level policies and rules; train county staff on policies, procedures and effective case management skills; provide technical assistance to counties on automated systems issues and ongoing implementation; work with the General Assembly on legislative and fiscal initiatives affecting programs operation; report to federal government on federal programs implementation; monitor county performance in their implementation of the programs; and allocate federal block grant funds to the counties for their use in implementing the program.

The Division is the primary link between the county departments of human/social services and the federal government on many issues.

The Division also works closely with other Divisions and Offices within the Department, other state agencies, the General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, and client advocacy organizations in the implementation of welfare reform.

Requirements

Please Note: * Hybrid Position with a minimum of 2 required in-office days *

Primary Job Duties - The community program manager administers the LEAP, SEBT, and E-EBT programs through oversight of the three major management components of the program: Policy; Fiscal; and Operations.

Policy Development, Analysis, and Management - Manages policy development and implementation at all levels in the supervised program, including:

• Program rules, including providing all relevant information to management for presentation before the State Board of Human Services.

• State legislation, including responding to requests for policy and fiscal impacts of proposed legislation.

• For LEAP, Public Utilities Commission (PUC) rules, including providing policy and fiscal impacts of proposed PUC rules as requested by the PUC and stakeholder agencies.

• This position Initiates and develops new policy and rules in response to new legislation, federal requirements, or for the purpose of program improvement and modernization.

• Ensures policy is correctly reflected within the CBMS automated system.

• Coordinates with the Division Director and other Unit Managers to develop and implement program and policy objectives and support short and long term strategies to encourage, promote and reward outstanding performance.

• Collaborates with and provides direction to other divisions, departments, county departments, county partners and advocates around program policy analysis, recommendation and development.

• Decides if current policies and procedures meet best practices; researches rules and waivers to improve service delivery and client focused services.

• Develops new strategies and enhances existing methods to improve communication to staff in the 64 county departments, community and faith-based organizations, and highly involved advocacy groups.

• Develops and modifies all work unit policies and procedures for completing the work and manages all aspects of the work unit, including strategic and innovative initiatives.

Fiscal Management - Manages fiscal processes:

• Procurement and contract management

• Accounting and purchasing

• Budget development, including caseload projections for all three programs and setting the annual LEAP benefit amount

• Grant management, including identifying and pursuing relevant grants

• Directs the transfer of LEAP funds to the Colorado Energy Office for the weatherization program.

• For other programs, works closely with the FEAD Fiscal Manager to coordinate fiscal oversight, financial planning and analysis.

Operations Management - Manages program operations for the programs at both the State and county levels, including:

• Develops and implements program standards, eligibility and payment systems, and funding formulas and allocations.

• Approves development and implementation of county training curricula, and follow-up on training needs, in collaboration with the Staff Development Division.

• Approves and oversees the necessary 3rd party vendor contract (s)

• Work with BITS, the Governor’s Office of Information Technology and contractors as necessary to operate and maintain eligibility systems outside of CBMS.

• Works with internal FEAD automation staff to maintain CBMS.

• Determines system and eligibility needs to deliver services to vulnerable citizens.

• Provides timely and accurate federal reporting.

• Responds to State and Federal audit inquiries.

• Develops and implements outreach plans and initiatives and oversees county outreach.

• Works with the Performance Management Division in the development of CStat measures, OIT in the collection of data and counties in performance improvement.

Supervision - Supervises full time employees in the management of SEBT, LEAP and E-EBT programs, including structure of organization, evaluation of performance, administration of performance improvement when needed, and hiring and terminating staff.

Customer Service - Incorporates a lens of the customer first into all operations. Although each of the programs supervised by this position and in FEAD have distinct eligibility criteria, benefits issuance, and funding streams, they all work together to address food security and energy affordability for the people of Colorado.

Other Duties as Assigned - All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Important Note: Please review your application to ensure completion.

For the most equitable applicant experience, CDHS' hiring teams consider only the contents of your application to determine meeting minimum qualifications and for the comparative analysis process.

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications.

Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

Volunteer work or a related type of experience may be used to meet the qualifications, but it must be clearly documented.

It is paramount that in the experience portion of the application, the applicant describes the extent to which they possess the education, experience, competencies, and background as they relate to the duties outlined in the job announcement.

This experience must be clearly documented on your application, and the supplemental questions must be answered. Answers such as "N/A," "In Cover Letter," or "See Resume" will not be accepted.

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position.

Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted or reviewed in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review:

After minimum qualification screening, which could include a skills test, the comparative analysis process will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit.

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications:

Answer all supplemental questions (if listed) as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each response to supplemental questions.

Supplemental Questions:

Answer the supplemental questions on the application completely and thoughtfully. Your answers may be rated based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Experience Only:

Nine (9) years of relevant experience in Initiating and developing new policy and rules, Direction to staff and external entities on program implementation, Communication to implementers and external stakeholders, Procurement and contract management, Budget development, Grant management, Federal reporting, Program management and administration, Staff supervision and management, or Public benefits administration.

-Or-

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in Public Administration, Public Policy, Business Administration, and/or relevant experience in Initiating and developing new policy and rules, Direction to staff and external entities on program implementation, Communication to implementers and external stakeholders, Procurement and contract management, Budget development, Grant management, Federal reporting, Program management and administration, Staff supervision and management, or Public benefits administration equal to nine (9) years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education in public administration or public policy
• Experience with the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) and/or Energy Electronic Benefit Transfer (E-EBT or Heat and Eat) programs
• Experience administering benefits or otherwise working with low-income populations
• Data analysis or visualization
• COWINS Partnership Agreement: Relevant years of State service should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process. Part-time relevant years of State service will be prorated.
• TRANSFERS ONLY: Relevant years of State service will be considered as a preferred qualification and given the weight of at least 15% of the overall score under the process.
• Relevant years of State service contribute to a candidate's position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior, or other posted competency

Conditions of Employment:

• Standard Background ALL CDHS employees (non-direct contact):

  CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Driver’s license)

• Motor Vehicle Record Check: This position drives a state-owned vehicle, either in an ongoing capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties, OR on occasion for trainings/meetings/client visits/etc.
• Travel: In-state travel to county offices may be required. Travel – Explain: Travel throughout the entire State of Colorado to review Sub-distributing and Recipient Agencies, local and national conferences.

• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:- Disclose that information on the application.- Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.- Provide your employee number from your prior State employment.

Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination, and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.




• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.

• You can find the official appeal form here.

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or

  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or

  • Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.




Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Additional Information

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact roni.schad@state.co.us

About Us:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS).

Our professionals strive to design and deliver high-quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado.

Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve.

We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADAA Accommodations:

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services.

Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.

The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).

Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.