Program Manager Jobs in Meriden, CT (NOW HIRING)

Introduction
Are you an experienced professional? Check out this opportunity with the State of Connecticut!
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is seeking a State Program Manager to support the administration and continuous improvement of its Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG) Workforce Management timekeeping and scheduling environment used by sworn staff. This role sits within the Fiscal Services Division and serves as a key bridge between operational units, payroll, and technical staff to ensure that time and attendance data is accurate, compliant with labor agreements, and properly integrated with the state's payroll system, Core-CT.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn about our medical and dental insurance plans, sick/vacation/personal leave accruals, state holidays, tuition reimbursement and more!
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position on first shift. Schedule is Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm. This position is Hybrid and will report to the Fiscal Administrative Manager 1 of the Payroll Unit.
This position plays an important role in supporting the workforce of approximately 1,000 sworn personnel operating in a complex public safety environment with rotating shifts, overtime rules, and other specialty compensation structures. The State Program Manager will oversee system configuration, lead enhancements and improvements to Kronos processes, and ensure reliable reporting and data reconciliations.
ABOUT US
DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.
1. Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence • Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data • Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct-i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve • Constantly seeking better results
2. Shared Fiscal Responsibility • Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources • Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests • Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges
3. Ethics and Accountability • Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies • Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement • Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments • Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways
For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!
Selection Plan
RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:
Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:
State Employees

• Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
• Completed CT-HR-13

Non-State Employees

• Two (2) professional references contact information including name, email and phone number (at least one being a current and/or previous supervisor)
• Completed CT-HR-13

Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process.
Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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.
• 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.
• 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:

• 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 Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.
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

• Directs staff and/or operations of an agency program and/or project or division;
• Coordinates, plans and manages program and/or project activities;
• Formulates goals and objectives;
• Develops or assists in development of related policy;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Provides input or evaluates staff;
• Prepares or assists in preparation of budget;
• Maintains contact with individuals within and outside of agency who might impact on program and/or project activities;
• Serves on committees and/or task forces as required;
• Speaks before professional and lay groups on subjects related to the agency mission;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• 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 Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's 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 with Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG) Workforce Management (WFM) and TeleStaff administering timekeeping and scheduling functions in an organization, including configuration of pay rules, schedules, and workforce policies;
• Experience providing support for time and attendance systems in a government agency or shift-based environment, including rotating shifts and overtime rules;
• Experience working with payroll integrations between timekeeping systems and enterprise payroll platforms, including data reconciliation, validations, and resolution of interface or reporting issues;
• Experience supporting 24/7, 365 agencies or organizations with varying master shift schedules with bargaining units or labor agreements, including interpretation and operational application of contractual pay rules within timekeeping systems;
• Experience leading or coordinating systems implementations, upgrades, enhancements and training for workforce management or payroll systems, including coordination with Information Technology (IT), Payroll, Human Resources (HR) and operational units.

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.