Manager Of Community Advocacy; Office​/On-site

Are you passionate about advocating for Veterans and strengthening community partnerships? Join our team and help elevate programs, events, and services that support Connecticut Veterans statewide. The State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is seeking an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Manager of Community Advocacy to be part of their leadership team. This is a great opportunity to serve and support our Connecticut Veterans and their eligible dependents.

• LOCATION:
  
  Rocky Hill
• HOURS:
  
  Full-time, 40 hours/week
• SCHEDULE:
  
  Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (First Shift)

• Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer
• Enjoy abundant opportunities for professional growth and development
• Experience a healthy work/life balance

• Provide continuous direct engagement and coordination with statewide Veteran service organizations of Veteran’s benefits events, community programs and ceremonies across the state;
• Serve as liaison for intergovernmental matters with municipalities, state and federal elected officials, Constitutional offices and executive agencies at the state and federal levels;
• Oversee acceptance and distribution of donations for Veterans residing at the DVA’s Rocky Hill Campus and community-based Veterans;
• Manage, in coordination with the agency’s fiscal office, five donation funds which are:
  Veterans Outreach and Support, Veteran and Service Member Stand Down, Facility Fund Quality of Life Improvements, Veterans Recreation Fund, and Holiday Funds State Veterans Cemetery Perpetual Care;
• Coordinate volunteer groups and individuals which provide supportive programming to on-campus Veterans including, but not limited to, bingo, musical performances, picnics, pet therapy and holiday events;
• Work directly with the Office of the Commissioner and DVA managers to plan, prepare, and execute a variety of on and off campus ceremonies and events honoring Veterans; and
• Maintain the agency's Social Media outreach program.

DVA has a long history of 'Serving Those Who Served'; since 1864, the Agency has supported Connecticut Veterans and continues this tradition through our four core programs at our campus in Rocky Hill and around the State:

• Residential Programs and Services:
  Providing temporary individual and family supportive living facilities with programming designed to return Connecticut Veterans to independent living in the community;
• Skilled Nursing at the Sgt. John L. Levitow Healthcare Center: A state-of-the‑art long‑term care facility for Veterans with chronic, disabling conditions who require 24‑hour clinical support;
• Office of Advocacy and Assistance:
  Assists Veterans and eligible dependents in obtaining Veterans benefits under federal, state and local laws through Veteran Service Officers assigned to seven district offices;
• Cemetery and Memorial Services:
  The State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown is the only operating official Veterans cemetery in Connecticut and offers several interment options for Veterans with full military honors and for their spouses.

In the Offices of the Secretary of State and Workforce Strategy and the Departments of Education, Emergency Services and Public Protection, Labor, Social Services, Transportation and Veterans Affairs this class is accountable for developing, advocating and/or managing community liaison relationships and programs impacted by agency policy and services.

• Directs staff and operations of a program;
• Coordinates, plans and manages unit activities;
• Formulates program goals and objectives;
• Develops or makes recommendations on development or…