Social Services Program Administration Manager; Hybrid - MP

Introduction

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

Full‑time, 40 hours per week
First (1st) shift
Flexible hybrid work schedule – in‑person and telework Monday – Friday – Hartford, CT

This senior leadership position is responsible for overseeing the State’s major health services contracts. It 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.

• 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), Substance Use Disorder Services (SUD), 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 (Bene Care):
  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.
• Non‑Emergency Medical Transportation (MTM):
  Ensure effective management of the NEMT broker, focusing on access, reliability, quality, regulatory compliance, legislative relations, and continuous improvement for diverse and high‑need populations.

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.

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.

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities. A healthy work‑life balance for 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.

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the delivery of social services programs and/or policies.

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. (For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Program Manager, Operations Manager, Public Assistance Consultant, Planning Specialist, and Associate Accountant.)

College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one‑half (½) 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.

Master’s degree in Public Health, Health…