Senior Advisor to Secretary PROGRAM MANAGER SENIOR IV

About the role

The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) is seeking a Senior Advisor to the Secretary. This is a contractual position serving at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert counsel to the Secretary on department-wide fiscal, operational, and personnel management.
• Establish and lead a proactive system of high-level audits and strategic analysis focused on personnel operations, organizational structures, and fiscal responsibility.
• Identify systemic risks, ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, and oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive corrective action plans (CAPs).
• Conduct regular, high-level audits of personnel operations across DPSCS facilities and divisions, focusing on payroll timeliness, leave management, and organizational structure efficiency.
• Analyze complex audit findings and identify significant federal and state compliance risks, particularly regarding labor laws, SPS Human Resource Coordinator role transactions, and manual payroll adjustments.
• Develop, implement, and monitor agency-wide Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) with specific timelines and designated responsibilities to address Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) findings and internal risk assessments.
• Serve as the primary executive liaison between the Secretary's office, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and the Office of Fair Practices and Inclusion (OFPI) to address systemic personnel issues, audit coordination, and EEO-protected activities.
• Produce and present regular, data-driven reports for the Secretary detailing personnel and operational trends, audit progress, and the long-term effectiveness of implemented corrective measures.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, or Business Administration.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in government, policy-making, or public safety. At least 3 years of providing counsel to high-ranking executives, officials, or agency heads.
• Desired or Preferred Qualifications: Five (5) years of supervisory experience in State or Federal Government. Master’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, or Business Administration.

Benefits

• Eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents through the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program.
• Contractual employees may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents at a rate of 25% of the premiums for medical and prescription coverage, and 100% for dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance.
• Leave may be granted to a contractual employee at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.