STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Director of Operations (Hybrid)

State Program Manager

Recruitment #220923-4799MP-001

Introduction


Are you a current Connecticut Department of Agriculture employee looking to advance your career within the agency? 
Do you enjoy planning, organizing, and directing agency programs and staff? 
If so, read below & apply today! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Agriculture, Commissioner’s Office, is now accepting applications from qualified agency employees for an exciting full-time (40 hours/week), 7:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday, Director of Operations (State Program Manager) opportunity located at 450 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT with hybrid telework options available. 

The Role: You will be accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks related to planning, budgeting, organizing, and executing Department operations and priorities. You will have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment while devoting time to critical programs which monitor and protect the health and safety of agriculture products, businesses, and domestic animals. You will be responsible for directing operations across all bureaus. 

Responsibilities Include:  
  • Directs staff and operations of multiple functions.
  • Formulates program goals and objectives.
  • Develops or assists in development and implementation of related policy. 
  • Evaluates staff.  
  • Prepares or assists in preparation of agency budget.
  • Ensures agency compliance with standards established by outside monitoring agencies.
  • Directs recruitment, selection, and retention of department staff.
  • Ensures compliance with quality assurance findings and recommendations.
  • Promotes cultural diversity in workplace and ensures client rights.
  • Identifies, plans, implements and evaluates staff training and development needs.
  • Analyzes complex problems and takes appropriate action.
  • Initiates workforce planning and monitors staff utilization to meet identified goals. 
  • Investigates and responds to critical incidents.
  • Prepares or oversees preparation of reports.
  • May represent facility in grievances and hearings.
  • May oversee grant, budget, or contract preparation.
  • Performs other duties as required.

Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
After You Apply: 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
  • At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. 
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. 
  • If have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact faith.macdonald@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for planning, organizing and directing an agency program and/or project or directing the development and administration of programs within a division.  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives administrative direction from an administrative official of higher grade.  

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Directs staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Directs staff and/or operations of an agency program and/or project or division; 
  • Coordinates, plans and manages program and/or project activities;
  • Formulates goals and objectives; 
  • Develops or assists in development of related policy;
  • Interprets and administers pertinent laws; 
  • Provides input or evaluates staff; 
  • Prepares or assists in preparation of budget; 
  • Maintains contact with individuals within and outside of agency who might impact on program and/or project activities;
  • Serves on committees and/or and task forces as required; 
  • Speaks before professional and lay groups on subjects related to agency mission; 
  • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • Performs related duties as required.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • project management; 
    • principles and practices of business and public administration with emphasis on effective organization, administration and management 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Considerable ability to analyze organizational problems and determine effective solutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must been in a consultative capacity with programmatic and administrative or project management responsibilities in the specific area of assignment. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in business administration, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • Department of Labor: Two (2) years of experience as an Apprenticeship and Training Program Manager may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.    

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience interpreting and applying state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations.
  • Experience delegating the responsibility of managing or developing programs to staff and overseeing the completion or outcome of such programs.
  • Experience applying management principles and practices.
  • Experience managing business operations of an organization.
  • Experience creating Standard Operating Procedures and policies.
  • Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders using oral and written communication.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.