Commissioner, Bureau Assistance

Department:
West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS)

Reports To:

Cabinet Secretary, West Virginia Department of Human Services Classification:
Classified-Exempt (At-Will)

The Commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) serves as a high-level executive leader in state government, providing strategic direction, oversight, and operational management for the state's comprehensive economic stability and self-sufficiency programs. The Commissioner directly leads and mentors a team of executive staff and deputy commissioners who oversee vital initiatives—including SNAP, WV WORKS (TANF), child care resources, and energy assistance—supporting vulnerable citizens across West Virginia.

This position operates in a highly visible public and political environment. It requires a unique blend of programmatic understanding of public assistance frameworks, robust financial management, and exceptional communication skills. The Commissioner is heavily engaged with lawmakers and community stakeholders, acting as the primary public voice and advocate for the state's economic support and family stability systems.

• Legislative Testimony:
  Serve as the principal representative of the Bureau before legislative committees, presenting data, reporting on program outcomes, and answering inquiries from lawmakers regarding public assistance programs.
• Statutory Compliance & Advocacy:
  Analyze proposed state and federal legislation impacting economic assistance; collaborate on legislative rules, policy revisions, and statutory recommendations to improve service delivery and benefits administration.
• Intergovernmental
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Build and maintain trusted working relationships with legislators, legislative staff, and committee chairs to advance the strategic goals of the Department of Human Services.

• Community Advocacy:
  Deliver keynote addresses, presentations, and updates to community providers, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, and county-level staff across West Virginia to promote family self-sufficiency.

• Strategic Oversight:
  Direct deputy commissioners and executive staff in managing core safety-net programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), WV WORKS/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child care resources, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), and specialized aid (e.g., Medicaid, Summer EBT, school clothing vouchers).
• Workforce Advocacy:
  Model empathetic leadership by understanding the unique psychological and operational pressures faced by frontline eligibility and casework staff, actively championing initiatives to reduce burnout and improve retention.
• Stakeholder Coalition Building:
  Convene diverse statewide task forces, community round tables, and public-private partnerships to build consensus on systemic poverty reduction and workforce development reforms.

• Public Finance Administration:
  Oversee a complex state budget consisting of state general revenue funds and multi-layered federal matching grants and block grants (e.g., TANF block grants, USDA SNAP funding).
• Resource Optimization:
  Allocate financial resources strategically across programs to ensure fiscal responsibility, regulatory compliance, and maximum measurable impact for populations overcoming barriers to stability.

• Preferred Education:
  
  A master’s degree in public administration (MPA), social work (MSW), business administration (MBA), or a closely related field.
• Experience Requirement: A minimum of 7–10 years of progressive executive-level management experience within a complex human services…