Manager Of Community Advocacy

State of Connecticut • Rocky Hill, CT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an experienced Manager of Community Advocacy to join its leadership team and support Connecticut Veterans and their eligible dependents. The position develops, advocates for, and manages community liaison relationships and programs affected by agency policy and services. It is based in Rocky Hill and is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, first shift.

The Manager engages and coordinates with statewide Veteran service organizations on benefits events, community programs, and ceremonies; serves as a liaison on intergovernmental matters; oversees donations and five donation funds; coordinates volunteers and supportive programming for Veterans on campus; plans and executes ceremonies and events with the Office of the Commissioner and DVA managers; and maintains the agency’s social media outreach program.

The broader job class directs program staff and operations, manages unit activities and budgets, develops goals and policies, interprets relevant laws, maintains relationships with government and community leaders, provides technical assistance and administrative oversight, advocates for agency and community programs, develops action plans, and prepares reports and correspondence. The Department serves Veterans through residential programs, skilled nursing care, benefits assistance, and cemetery and memorial services.

Requirements

• Eight years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating, or administering comprehensive social service or community programs.
• At least one year of the required general experience must have been in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations, agency policies and procedures, public or urban policy, and program evaluation and monitoring functions.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and practices.
• Considerable interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate goals and objectives, and to develop and manage budgets and grants.
• College training may substitute for general experience at 15 semester hours per half-year of experience, up to four years for a bachelor’s degree.
• A master’s degree in business administration, planning, public administration, or a closely related field may substitute for one additional year of general experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience establishing ongoing relationships with news media, public officials, and agency stakeholders.
• Experience developing and applying marketing strategies, promotional materials, and outreach plans.
• Experience writing press releases, official statements, and testimonies for public agency programs and events.
• Experience disseminating information to community-based nonprofit and civic organizations, state agencies, news media, and the public.
• Experience drafting agency legislative proposals.
• Experience serving as a liaison between a state agency and the Connecticut General Assembly.

Responsibilities

• Engage and coordinate with statewide Veteran service organizations on Veteran benefits events, community programs, and ceremonies.
• Serve as liaison on intergovernmental matters involving municipalities, state and federal elected officials, Constitutional offices, and executive agencies.
• Oversee the acceptance and distribution of donations for Veterans residing at the Rocky Hill Campus and community-based Veterans.
• Manage, in coordination with the agency fiscal office, five donation funds: Veterans Outreach and Support, Veteran and Service Member Stand Down, Facility Fund Quality of Life Improvements, Veterans Recreation Fund, and Holiday Funds State Veterans Cemetery Perpetual Care.
• Coordinate volunteer groups and individuals providing supportive programming for on-campus Veterans, including bingo, musical performances, picnics, pet therapy, and holiday events.
• Work with the Office of the Commissioner and DVA managers to plan, prepare, and execute on- and off-campus ceremonies and events honoring Veterans.
• Maintain the agency’s social media outreach program.
• Direct staff and program operations and coordinate, plan, and manage unit activities.
• Formulate program goals and objectives and develop or recommend policies and standards.
• Interpret and administer pertinent laws.
• Prepare or assist with preparation of unit and/or division budgets.
• Maintain contacts and act as liaison with federal, state, municipal, corporate, community, and legislative leaders to identify and resolve issues affecting local operations and programs.
• Provide technical assistance and administrative oversight to state, local, and/or regional boards developing and implementing plans and programs.
• Advocate with federal and/or state government or providers on behalf of agency and community programs.
• Develop action plans and work with community programs to implement them.
• Prepare reports and correspondence; the job class may also involve reviewing funding or expanded-service requests, grant management and administration, and statistical reports.

Benefits

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Healthy work/life balance.
• State employee benefits are referenced, but specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed