ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS - VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION - 75624

Executive Service

This is a hybrid position

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/HRC0018462_DHS_Prog_Dir3_VRDFO_31626.pdf

Background Check:

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Who we are and what we do:

DHS MISSION: Strengthen Tennessee by Strengthening Tennesseans DHS VISION: To revolutionize the customer experience by growing capacity to reduce dependency. DHS VALUES: High Performance Collaboration Continuous Improvement A Shared Vision Customer-Centered Solutions

Job Overview:

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Division of Rehabilitation Services, is seeking an experienced and highly skilled leader to serve as Assistant Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Field Operations. This position provides oversight for all VR field operations and serves as the senior field operations employee responsible for ensuring effective, consistent, and compliant delivery of vocational rehabilitation services across Tennessee. The Assistant VR Director of Field Operations plays a critical role in advancing the agency's mission of supporting individuals with disabilities to achieve competitive integrated employment outcomes aligned with their strengths, priorities, abilities, and informed choice. Under the general supervision of the VR Director, the position directs and evaluates statewide field operations, including rehabilitation counseling services, case service delivery, staff credentialing and development, strategic deployment of staff to ensure appropriate coverage and capacity based on population specialization, community needs, and data informed factors, production and performance management, and compliance with federal and state VR requirements. The Assistant VR Director of Field Operations ensures RSA/WIOA performance measures are met, oversees implementation of policy and operational guidance, and leads continuous improvement efforts to promote service quality, accountability, and customer-centered practice. This role serves as a key member of the VR executive leadership team, providing strategic direction, cultural influence, operational expertise, and leadership support for all field operations staff statewide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides statewide leadership and direction for vocational rehabilitation field operations, including oversight of rehabilitation counseling practice, case service delivery, caseload management, staff credentialing requirements, and achievement of RSA/WIOA performance outcomes, ensures consistent implementation of federal and state policy, operational guidance, and standards of practice across all regions.
• Supervises and supports senior field leadership, including leadership and other field management staff; oversees workforce planning, staff performance evaluation, coaching, corrective action, and disciplinary processes; ensures staffing models and operational structures support effective service delivery and program accountability.
• Directs monitoring, quality assurance, and continuous improvement activities for field operations; analyzes production, fiscal, and performance data to identify trends, address risks, and implement corrective strategies; ensures compliance with federal regulations, state requirements, and audit standards.
• Oversees coordination of field operations with internal and external partners to support service delivery and employment outcomes; provides technical assistance and guidance to field staff; represents the VR program in executive-level discussions and presentations related to operations, performance, and service effectiveness.
• Provides executive oversight of operational processes that support field services, including resource allocation, contract and provider performance oversight, and implementation of initiatives designed to improve service quality, efficiency, and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of full-time professional work in one of the following: social/human services, education, and/or social services grant coordination.
• Applicants for this class may be required to: Complete a criminal history disclosure form in the manner approved by the appointing authority; agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority; supply a fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI based on criminal history records check.

Preferred Skills

• Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a closely related human services field with a required academic emphasis on disability, vocational rehabilitation, and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and/or Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE), demonstrating advanced expertise in rehabilitation counseling, vocational evaluation, and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience within a public Vocational Rehabilitation program, including a minimum of three years in a supervisory or administrative role overseeing rehabilitation counselors and field-based service delivery.
• Demonstrated experience supervising senior field leadership (e.g., Area or Regional Directors) with responsibility for statewide or multi-region VR field operations, complex personnel matters, and achievement of RSA/WIOA performance outcomes.
• Demonstrated success using data-driven management and continuous quality improvement strategies to translate federal VR guidance into consistent field practice, corrective action, and staff development.
• Experience overseeing contracts, provider performance, and service delivery systems that directly support competitive integrated employment outcomes.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.