KEES Production Operations Mgr

About the role

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is comprised of three divisions — Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (including the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare) — allowing a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well‑being of all Kansans. This position (K0235140) is unclassified, full‑time, regular, and eligible for benefits. Veterans’ preference applies. KDHE does not provide visa sponsorship; candidates must maintain valid U.S. work authorization. The role oversees operations, enhancements, and new projects for the Kansas Eligibility Enforcement System (KEES), serving as liaison between KDHE and DCF internal organizations (policy, operations, Clearinghouse, field operations, technology, executives). Responsibilities include creating and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures for KEES maintenance, support, and enhancement; managing incident/defect processes, change requests, security roles, release management, and production health monitoring; directing Help Desk and Business Support teams; analyzing defects and system functionality issues; ensuring testing activities meet agency needs; and coordinating policy, operational, and system changes with training efforts.

Responsibilities

• Develop multi‑year roadmap for KEES system, aligning technology investments with business priorities.
• Assess future system enhancement and integration needs to identify priorities and sequencing of efforts.
• Monitor changes to ensure schedules, issues, risks, and resources are managed and communicated appropriately.
• Evaluate change requests for reasonable estimates and negotiate on behalf of the State when needed.
• Build positive working relationships with vendor staff; represent and protect State interests; hold vendors accountable for quality, completeness, and timing.
• Oversee assigned staff: set performance goals, conduct reviews, coach, mentor, and train; establish measurable, achievable goals; ensure reasonable work division based on skill sets.
• Standardize processes and apply best practices across the team.
• Track, prioritize, and ensure timely resolution of incidents and defects.
• Administer security roles and user provisioning.
• Track submission, approval, and implementation of change requests.
• Ensure Service Level Agreements are met.
• Approve releases and system downtime.
• Manage vendors for contract compliance and high‑quality service delivery.
• Perform analysis of defects and reported system functionality issues in conjunction with existing workarounds.
• Ensure defect/functionality remediation and prioritization address KDHE and DCF agency policies and operational needs.
• Ensure testing activities (test plans, approach, UAT participation) meet KDHE and DCF needs.
• Ensure testing results properly address functionality requirements and resolve identified defects.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver’s license (required when operating a state, private, or rental vehicle for State business).
• 4 years experience with DDI project implementations and application support (education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, MIS, Health, Social Services, or related field (education may be substituted with equal experience as determined by the agency).
• 10 years in a leadership position on application development projects and/or application support.
• 5 years supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with eligibility determination for Kansas medical and human services programs.

Skills

• Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
• People management
• Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• IT application support
• Project management
• Organization
• Cross‑functional team management
• Relationship building
• Prioritization
• Vendor management
• Communication

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick and vacation leave
• Work‑Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation Programs

Pay

Annual pay range: $74,048.00 – $94,577.60. Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm (flexible schedules available).

Post‑offer requirements

A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment. Candidates who receive a formal job offer must obtain the certificate within 10 days via the Kansas Department of Revenue (785‑296‑3199).