What are the responsibilities and job description for the ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES position at State of Rhode Island?
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive administrative services program; to ensure the effective and efficient achievement of departmental policies, goals and objectives; to ensure that resources are utilized in conformance with state and federal laws, rules and regulations; to serve as a liaison with various state and federal departments, local municipalities and groups on matters pertaining to the department's programs; to be responsible for special project development; and to do related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the administrative direction of one or more department directors with wide latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent judgment in developing and executing agency programs and services; work is reviewed through written reports and conferences for proficiency and conformance to departmental policies, rules, regulations, provisions of law and professional standards.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Plans, coordinates, supervises and reviews, professional, technical and other staff engaged in program activities.
To serve in a highly responsible capacity to a director or directors by relieving him/her of certain administrative tasks; to represent a director or directors in contacts with state and federal governmental agencies, local municipalities and groups on matters pertaining to the department's programs; to be responsible for special project development.
To perform responsible administrative and supervisory work assisting a director or directors in planning, coordinating, implementing and controlling a department's various administrative support programs.
To be responsible for developing and maintaining a continuous coordinated effort and liaison with and between the various divisions of the department, other state agencies, the General Assembly, congressional offices and concerned private sector enterprises.
To provide information of a professional nature to state officials, the public media or interested parties in accordance with the established policies of a director or directors;
To be responsible for assisting in the overall administration of the planning, development and implementation of operational functions; or to have the assigned responsibility for assisting in the overall administration of a program of substantially comparable complexity.
To attend meetings and conferences involving federal, state and local officials, professionals and the public; as required, to represent a department or departments at such meetings or conferences.
To apply innovative and emerging methods, technologies and management practices to the operation of the organization and/or programs.
To direct analyses of programs, services, resources and costs and benefits to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of programs.
To be responsible for the development of short and long-term goals and objectives, management plans and operating plans and to oversee their implementation and evaluation.
To assure the programs and services of the division/divisions conform with federal and state laws and other regulations and requirements, and within the overall mission and goals of the department.
To periodically consult or confer with organized labor, civic groups and intra and interagency representatives to assess and recommend changes in programs, services, goals and objectives, as required.
To administer, coordinate and direct the work of a staff engaged in a comprehensive program designed to assure external civil rights compliance in all aspects of a department's federal programs.
To provide effective and informative reports; to prepare communications and communicate regularly with departmental and program staff, and with others as required.
To do related work as required.
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of public administration; a thorough knowledge of operations of the program or service area and the ability to utilize this knowledge in promoting effective and efficient programs and services; a working knowledge of the methods and techniques of administering and enforcing regulatory statutes; a working knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of civil rights programs and the ability to apply this knowledge to the problems of realizing equal opportunity in a state department's federal programs, a working knowledge of federal and state laws as they relate to equal opportunity; extensive skills in writing and public speaking; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, associates, government officials, and the public; the ability to coordinate the activities of a staff engaged in providing various administrative support services; and related capacities and abilities.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Such as may have been gained through: possession of a Bachelor's Degree in public administration, business administration, or a closely related field; and
Experience: Such as may have been gained through: extensive employment in a highly responsible administrative position involving various administrative support services.
Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.
The Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a strategic, people-centered, and results-oriented Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join the Executive Leadership Team. Reporting to the Director, the COO will lead enterprise-wide operations to strengthen service delivery, drive internal alignment, and support more than 300,000 Rhode Islanders across critical benefit programs.
This role blends operational excellence with a commitment to fairness, efficiency, and innovation—bringing clarity to complex challenges and ensuring agency priorities translate into impactful outcomes for staff and the communities we serve.
Additional responsibilities:
- Operational Leadership & Integration
Oversee and connect core agency operations—including eligibility processing, customer service, regional offices, and administrative services—to promote consistency, performance, and accountability. - Performance Improvement & Execution
Lead process improvement efforts in partnership with the Office of Performance Analytics & Continuous Improvement (OPA&CI) to optimize operations and implement practical, results-driven strategies. - Technology & Systems Integration
Collaborate closely with the Department’s IT lead to align technology investments with operational priorities and modern service delivery models, ensuring staff have the tools they need and customers experience efficient, accessible services. - Organizational Culture & Internal Collaboration Champion cross-divisional collaboration, build leadership capacity, and foster a people-first culture grounded in communication, trust, and continuous learning.
Skills/Experience:
The successful candidate is a collaborative executive with experience managing complex operations and delivering improvements in large systems. They bring a systems-thinking mindset, deep commitment to public service, and the ability to lead through change. Experience in health and human services, benefits delivery, or public-sector operations is highly valued. The successful candidate should possess:
- Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication, problem solving, and delegation skills.
- Have demonstrated significant ability to lead professionals through collaboration and influence to create; foster and model effective customer service; and coach, counsel, and develop employees.
- Relevant experience in labor relations management.
- Excellent attention to detail, project management, and organizing skills.
- Interest and experience in human and/or social services or state government.
- Strong command of modern technology (Full MS Office suite, Tableau)
- A minimum of five to seven years of executive level or management experience.
- Master's degree of Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, or other relevant degree is preferred.
Salary : $122,468 - $140,274
