DRM Unit Manager

Location: Austin, TX

About the role

The DDS Unit Manager/Manager IV is selected by and is accountable to a Senior Director/Directorate Manager at Disability Determination Services (DDS). This role performs highly complex managerial work administering the day-to-day unit operations and activities of the Social Security state disability program. Works under limited supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The manager is responsible for managing unit program and business operations, including staff supervision and development, establishing goals and objectives, and overseeing budgets.

The manager will request, review, and respond to special investigations, federal and state Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviews and audits, and studies that impact the title II and XVI disability program. Develops and implements methods for evaluating business performance and operational effectiveness. Provides input into the development of policies and procedures, ensures compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements, and monitors adherence to established standards. Serves as a technical resource by providing expertise and guidance on business function-related matters, identifying opportunities for process improvement, and leading initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Manages and maintains oversight of departmental units and every aspect of the Disability Determination Services (DDS) role in the Social Security Administration (SSA) disability program using a combination of highly complex programs, systems, services, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of unit and departmental personnel. Provides training, mentoring, and coaching to meet the unit and agency's business needs and provides accelerated learning and growth.
• Establishes staff and program goals and objectives and develops business plans and standards to achieve outcomes.
• Manages, develops, evaluates, and monitors unit and departmental budgets, adjusting and authorizing expenditures from a multi-million-dollar budget within defined parameters in compliance with highly complex state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Manages multiple ongoing assignments and projects, prioritizing work to ensure deadlines and workload targets are met. (25%)
• Establishes standards for customer-focused communication within areas of responsibility, internal and external associates, and customers. Delivers messages that are well-researched, professional, timely, clear, and concise, including recommended solutions to highly complex area and agency issues.
• Reviews, analyzes, and prepares time-sensitive and confidential agency communications for personnel as well as various federal and state audiences. (20%)
• Administers daily operations and activities of agency personnel who perform various and specialized business functions for the SSA state disability program. Identifies, develops, implements, monitors, and refines business processes, ensuring adherence and compliance with highly complex state and federal laws, regulations, statutes, policies, and procedures.
• Researches, monitors, and manages staff and program impact of federal and state legislative directives, bills, and resolutions. Implements necessary policy changes to comply with required legislative changes.
• Plans and supervises work of staff by assessing individual and program performance and evaluates outcomes to maintain program performance within agency expectations. Establishes and monitors progress and achievements of individual and team goals.
• Reviews/approves forms, documents, and reports prepared by employees to ensure professional quality and appearance, appropriate content, consistency, and responsiveness.
• Manages staff development plans and activities, evaluation activities, conduct, and performance per agency policies and procedures to ensure individual and unit achievement. (20%)
• Develops and implements guidelines, procedures, policies, and standards to ensure unit and agency compliance with highly complex federal disability laws and statutes and with SSA and Health & Human Services (HHS) regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Identifies and assesses interdepartmental issues and concerns, recommending and implementing solutions to complex problems. Provides consultative services and technical guidance for assigned areas, collaborating across all components.
• Responsible for monitoring and updating internal resources, business processes, and systems settings, ensuring all unit personnel have and adhere to current and accurate policies, regulations, rules, and guidelines.
• Communicates with internal and external stakeholders to convey business-related anomalies and exceptions. Represents program area and agency as a subject matter expert at state and federal meetings, committees, work groups, and conferences. (15%)
• Prepares management and productivity reports, utilizing a variety of state and federal software applications and related management information (MI) reports, to monitor organizational performance.
• Reviews/analyzes MI data and conducts/oversees program analyses, research studies, internal audits, and special investigations to predict or identify areas of deficiency or noncompliance with complex federal and state rules and performance expectations.
• Develops and implements training and mentoring for prevention and process improvement. Identifies the need for revised or new policies and procedures to improve operations, address program changes and system workarounds, and mitigate agency risk due to fraud, waste, and abuse. (10%)
• Responsible for conducting and overseeing hiring, selection, training, and retention actions involving complex and overlapping state and federal policies and procedures to ensure success of unit and agency. (10%)

Requirements

• Two years’ experience in the management of a business function, division, or department relevant to the assignment.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field relevant to the assignment is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.
• Experience in maintaining a State or Federal annual operating budget within State or Federal guidelines.
• Employment stability in applicant’s work history as demonstrated on the application.
• No history of substantiated fraudulent activity against HHSC or any programs it administers.
• Applicants who have a non-fraud overpayment with an outstanding balance must agree to repay the overpayment balance as a condition of employment.
• Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 security clearance is required. Federal credentialing is a requirement of the position.
• Successful applicants must be willing to work in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment, under constant pressure to meet required deadlines.
• This position occasionally requires work during the weekends, holidays, and before or after normal business hours.
• Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits, follow HHS salary administration policy and guidelines, and based on the candidate’s qualifications.
• Individuals selected for positions with the Disability Determination Services (DDS) will go through a complete federal background investigation. A suitability determination by the Social Security Administration (SSA) is necessary to determine whether an employee can be issued credentials in order to have access to Social Security disability data, records, and systems. The job offer is contingent upon a full suitability clearance through SSA.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures relevant to the mission of the Disability Determination Services (DDS).
• Extensive knowledge of public administration and management principles, practices, and techniques.
• Extensive knowledge of program planning, development, implementation, and monitoring.
• Extensive knowledge of internal controls and best practices.
• Advanced skill in interpretation and application of highly complex SSA, HHS, DDS, and state policies and procedures.
• Advanced skill in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Advanced skill in communicating information and ideas effectively in both oral and written form.
• Advanced skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Advanced skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues, agencies, and vendors.
• Advanced skill in problem-solving, decision-making, and establishing goals and objectives.
• Advanced skill in the use of databases, office suite software, and multiple interfacing state and federal software applications.
• Skill in planning, assigning, and supervising the work of others.
• Skill in identifying performance deficiencies and overseeing mentoring and training.
• Skill in directing and organizing program activities through effective use of time, resources, and personnel.
• Skill in managing diverse area functions and resources, including budget, staff, and supplies.
• Skill in writing and editing proposals, special studies, standard operating procedures, and concise reports.
• Skill in organizing, retaining, and maintaining agency records consistent with federal and state requirements.
• Ability to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate, and positively influence individual and group performance.
• Ability to identify performance deficiencies and provide individual and group mentoring and training.
• Ability to develop and utilize individual and unit performance evaluation tools.
• Ability to apply performance and conduct management policy per HHS and DDS procedures and practices.
• Ability to identify and investigate policy issues and problems, evaluate alternatives, and develop/implement creative and workable solutions.
• Ability to research, organize, and analyze information to evaluate hypotheses, investigate issues, and present findings.
• Ability to develop budget requests and manage expenditures.
• Ability to develop, publish, and implement complex policies and procedures.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• A defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Pay

Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $9,508.25 per month

Schedule

• Full-time
• Day shift
• Not eligible for telework
• Up to 5% travel required
• Occasional work during weekends, holidays, and before or after normal business hours may be required.