WIOA Program Manager(State Program Manager | Hybrid)

WIOA Program Manager

State Program Manager | Hybrid

Recruitment #260605-4799MP-001

Location Hartford, CT

Date Opened 6/9/2026 12:00:00 AM Salary $101,163 - $137,940/year Job Type Open to Agency Employees Close Date 6/16/2026 11:59:00 PM

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Introduction

Are you a current Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy employee with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) experience looking to advance your career within the agency? If so, read below and apply today!

The State of Connecticut, Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS), invites its agency employees to apply for the position of WIOA Program Manager (State Program Manager).

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

As a state employee, you would continue to have access to the following:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

THE ROLE

The OWS is charged with influencing and operationalizing the statewide strategy for workforce in support of the Governor's Workforce Council and with the support of related agency and statewide stakeholders. This small team is looking for an experienced and knowledgeable WIOA Program Manager to implement and manage policies, procedures, and strategic goals of Connecticut's workforce development system related to programs and services provided under the auspices of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The WIOA Program Manager will work with the OWS team, specifically supporting the vision of the Chief Workforce Officer and Chair of the Governor's Workforce Council in developing, refining, and executing a strategic vision of workforce development. This individual will comprehensively support WIOA programs and services.

This role will involve continuously coordinating strategic teams, initiatives, policies, and practices that promote this work, while supporting the ongoing operations of the Office of Workforce Strategy and the Governor's Workforce Council. An ideal candidate will be able to work strategically and collaboratively with public agencies, workforce development boards, and other key stakeholders to successfully drive an effective and efficient workforce strategy, specifically as it relates to WIOA programs and services.

An ideal candidate must be an excellent written and verbal communicator with strong project management skills, strong understanding and experience with WIOA programs and services, experience with the Workforce System (including the Regional Workforce Investment Boards, state and college education systems, community-based organizations, and state agencies), competency with Microsoft Office/related programming (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and strong attention to detail. An ideal candidate will also be effective, versatile, action-oriented, and dedicated to efficient productivity.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday - Friday
• Full-time (40 hours per week)
• First shift
• Location: Hartford, CT
• Hybrid position (telework and in office)

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window).
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window).

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for planning, organizing and directing an agency program and/or project or directing the development and administration of programs within a division.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives administrative direction from an administrative official of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Directs staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Coordinates the state's planning, strategy, budgeting, and implementation of WIOA programs and services;

• Coordinates the measurement and evaluation of outcomes, best practices, and return on investment across all WIOA-funded programs and services;

• Ensures compliance with WIOA administrative requirements;

• Interfaces directly with workforce development boards in the implementation of WIOA program and services;

• Assists OWS staff in working with the business community to connect companies with high-quality workforce services;

• Works with the Connecticut Department of Labor and other state agencies on shared WIOA responsibilities;

• Maintains knowledge of applicable workforce development laws and policies;

• Analyzes any proposed legislative changes pertaining to WIOA;

• Prepares presentations and reports for internal and external use on WIOA implementation and outcomes;

• Assists in the identification and analysis of relevant data sets in support of WIOA initiatives;

• Conducts research to inform strategic policy recommendations on WIOA best practices;

• Authors strategic communications (articles, case studies, social media, blogs) and marketing plans to promote and support WIOA programs and services;

• Serves as the lead for the Governor's Workforce Council's WIOA Committee;

• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of

• and ability to apply management principles and practices;

• relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;

• project management;

• principles and practices of business and public administration with emphasis on effective organization, administration and management

• Considerable

• interpersonal skills;

• oral and written communication skills;

• Considerable ability to analyze organizational problems and determine effective solutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the specific area of assignment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelors degree.
• A Masters degree in business administration, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• Department of Labor: Two (2) years of experience as an Apprenticeship and Training Program Manager may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in creating WIOA-related ("Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act") programming and services
• Experience leading meetings with key stakeholders (e.g., GWC Members, Industry Partners, Workforce Boards, State Agencies - specifically DOL, SDE, CSCU, ADS, HUD-funded entities, CBDG, as well as OPM and DECD, tribal nations and any other required partners) to comply with Federal and State policies in accomplishing the goals as described in the GWC Strategic Plan
• Experience in working with the business community to connect companies with high-quality workforce services
• Experience in social equity to work with non-traditional populations
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating workforce development plans

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online