DRM Unit Manager

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

13d•$5,798 - $9,508•Onsite

About The Position

The DRM Unit Manager (Manager IV) administers day-to-day unit operations and activities for the Social Security state disability program at Disability Determination Services (DDS). The role is selected by and accountable to a Senior Director/Directorate Manager, works under limited supervision, and has moderate latitude to use initiative and independent judgment. It manages program and business operations, staff, budgets, goals, performance, and compliance with applicable state and federal requirements. The manager oversees personnel and business functions, develops and evaluates operational methods, prepares management and productivity reports, and supports process redesigns and policy changes arising from regulations, legislation, and disability-jurisdiction court decisions. The position also reviews and responds to special investigations, audits, and Office of Inspector General reviews; provides technical guidance; and leads process-improvement efforts. This is a fully onsite position in Austin, Texas. Occasional work on weekends, holidays, and outside normal business hours may be required.

Requirements

At least two years of experience managing a business function, division, or department relevant to the assignment.
Experience maintaining a State or Federal annual operating budget within State or Federal guidelines.
Employment stability as demonstrated in the applicant’s work history.
Extensive knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to the DDS mission; public administration and management; program planning, development, implementation, and monitoring; and internal controls and best practices.
Advanced skill interpreting and applying complex SSA, HHS, DDS, and state policies and procedures; handling confidential information; communicating effectively orally and in writing; building working relationships; collaborating with colleagues, agencies, and vendors; problem-solving and decision-making; and using databases, office suite software, and interfacing state and federal applications.
Skill planning, assigning, and supervising work; identifying performance deficiencies and overseeing mentoring and training; organizing program activities and resources; managing budgets, staff, and supplies; writing and editing proposals, studies, procedures, and reports; and maintaining records consistent with requirements.
Ability to coordinate with staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public; analyze and influence performance; develop and use performance evaluation tools; apply performance and conduct management policies; investigate policy issues and develop workable solutions; research and analyze information; develop budget requests and manage expenditures; and develop and implement complex policies and procedures.
HSPD-12 security clearance and federal credentialing are required; a full federal background investigation and SSA suitability determination are required for access to disability data, records, and systems.
Willingness to work in a highly stressful, fast-paced environment under constant pressure to meet deadlines.
Applicants may not have a history of substantiated fraudulent activity against HHSC or programs it administers. Applicants with an outstanding non-fraud overpayment balance must agree to repay it as a condition of employment.
Must complete the State of Texas Employment Application with a full employment history and enough information to demonstrate meeting the initial selection criteria; applicants will be assessed through a panel interview.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in a field relevant to the assignment is generally preferred; experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Responsibilities

Oversee DDS unit operations and the agency’s role in the Social Security Administration disability program; plan, assign, and supervise staff work.
Train, mentor, coach, and develop staff; establish staff and program goals, objectives, business plans, and performance standards.
Manage and monitor unit and departmental budgets, including authorizing expenditures within defined parameters and applicable laws and regulations.
Manage multiple assignments and projects, prioritizing work to meet deadlines and workload targets.
Establish standards for customer-focused communication and prepare, review, and respond to professional, timely, confidential, and time-sensitive communications for internal and external audiences.
Administer daily business operations and ensure processes comply with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, statutes, policies, and procedures.
Monitor federal and state legislative directives and implement necessary policy changes.
Assess individual and program performance, monitor goals, review employee work products, and manage staff development, evaluation, conduct, and performance activities.
Develop and implement guidelines, procedures, policies, and standards to ensure compliance with federal disability laws and SSA and HHS requirements.
Identify interdepartmental issues, recommend and implement solutions, and provide consultative services and technical guidance across program components.
Maintain and update internal resources, processes, and system settings, and communicate business-related anomalies and exceptions to stakeholders.
Represent the program and agency as a subject matter expert at state and federal meetings, committees, work groups, and conferences.
Prepare management and productivity reports; analyze management information, oversee program analyses, research studies, internal audits, and special investigations, and identify deficiencies or noncompliance.
Develop and implement training and mentoring to prevent deficiencies and improve processes; identify policy and procedure changes to address program changes, system workarounds, and agency risk.
Conduct and oversee hiring, selection, training, and retention actions in accordance with state and federal policies and procedures.
Review and respond to special investigations, OIG reviews, audits, and studies affecting the Title II and XVI disability program.