Job Description
Department: West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS)
Reports To: Cabinet Secretary, West Virginia Department of Human Services Classification: Classified-Exempt (At-Will)
Position Summary
The Commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) serves as a high-level
executive leader in state government, providing strategic direction, oversight, and operational
management for the state's comprehensive economic stability and self-sufficiency programs. The
Commissioner directly leads and mentors a team of executive staff and deputy commissioners who
oversee vital initiatives—including SNAP, WV WORKS (TANF), child care resources, and energy
assistance—supporting vulnerable citizens across West Virginia.
This position operates in a highly visible public and political environment. It requires a unique blend of
programmatic understanding of public assistance frameworks, robust financial management, and
exceptional communication skills. The Commissioner is heavily engaged with lawmakers and community stakeholders, acting as the primary public voice and advocate for the state's economic support and
family stability systems.
Key Responsibilities
Legislative & Policy Engagement
● Legislative Testimony: Serve as the principal representative of the Bureau before legislative
committees, presenting data, reporting on program outcomes, and answering inquiries from
lawmakers regarding public assistance programs.
● Statutory Compliance & Advocacy: Analyze proposed state and federal legislation impacting
economic assistance; collaborate on legislative rules, policy revisions, and statutory
recommendations to improve service delivery and benefits administration.
● Intergovernmental Collaboration: Build and maintain trusted working relationships with
legislators, legislative staff, and committee chairs to advance the strategic goals of the
Department of Human Services.
Public Speaking & Community Relations
● Community Advocacy: Deliver keynote addresses, presentations, and updates to community
providers, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, and county-level staff across West Virginia
to promote family self-sufficiency.
Executive Leadership & Operations
● Strategic Oversight: Direct deputy commissioners and executive staff in managing core
safety-net programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), WV
WORKS/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child care resources, the Low-Income
Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), and specialized aid (e.g., Medicaid, Summer EBT, school
clothing vouchers).
● Workforce Advocacy: Model empathetic leadership by understanding the unique psychological
and operational pressures faced by frontline eligibility and casework staff, actively championing
initiatives to reduce burnout and improve retention.
● Stakeholder Coalition Building: Convene diverse statewide task forces, community roundtables,
and public-private partnerships to build consensus on systemic poverty reduction and workforce
development reforms.
Fiscal & Budget Management
● Public Finance Administration: Oversee a complex state budget consisting of state general
revenue funds and multi-layered federal matching grants and block grants (e.g., TANF block
grants, USDA SNAP funding).
● Resource Optimization: Allocate financial resources strategically across programs to ensure fiscal
responsibility, regulatory compliance, and maximum measurable impact for populations
overcoming barriers to stability.
Minimum & Preferred Qualifications
● Preferred Education: A master’s degree in public administration (MPA), social work (MSW),
business administration (MBA), or a closely related field.
● Experience Requirement: A minimum of 7–10 years of progressive executive-level management
experience within a complex human services delivery system.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
● Family Assistance Insight: Deep conceptual understanding of public assistance frameworks,
systemic poverty, workforce development barriers, and the day-to-day realities of frontline
benefits eligibility staff.
● Executive Communication: Superior public speaking, presentation, and rhetorical skills; a proven
ability to distill dense policy, statistical data, and complex human dynamics into clear, compelling
narratives for lawmakers and the general public.
● Financial Acumen: Advanced working knowledge of state budgeting processes, public finance
mechanics, federal grant allocation rules, block grant administration, and long-term fiscal
planning.
● Political Savvy: A constructive, diplomatic approach to working with state leaders and the
legislature, ensuring the focus always stays on what is best for West Virginia’s families.
Why Work for Us?
At the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), leadership isn't just about managing
programs—it is about breaking generational cycles of poverty and building a resilient future for our state. Leading the Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) gives you a rare, high-impact platform to directly shape the economic safety net for thousands of your fellow West Virginians. As a key executive within state
government, you will enjoy comprehensive health insurance, a competitive state retirement pension
plan, generous paid leave, and the deep professional stability that comes with an impactful career in
public administration.
Our Comprehensive Benefits Package Includes:
● Robust Healthcare Coverage: Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance options, alongside
life insurance plans to protect you and your loved ones.
● Generous Paid Time Off: Maintain a healthy work-life balance with 15 days of paid vacation, 18
days of paid sick leave, and 13 paid state holidays annually.
● Long-Term Financial Security: A highly coveted defined benefit retirement plan, ensuring a
reliable and stable pension income for your future.
Resumes may be submitted to the Office of Shared Administration Talent Acquisition and Retention Team at OSAJobs@wv.gov or call 304-558-6700 for more information.