Review Vacancy
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management
Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $151984 to $188231 Annually
Duties Description The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is seeking an innovative, highly experienced administrator with experience on a statewide level to join OPWDD’s leadership team as the Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Quality Improvement. The primary mission is to further develop, implement and direct OPWDD’s quality improvement strategies; in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to provide the highest quality of services and supports to meet the needs of each individual in order to live the life they desire.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Division of Quality Improvement coordinates and implements an integrated quality improvement framework which governs all programmatic and administrative components of the OPWDD operations. The QI strategy is derived from the OPWDD mission, vision and values and impacts all components and staff of the agency and all supports and services provided through the agency. This is integrated into the agency’s overall strategic plan and annual budgets. The Deputy Commissioner provides leadership and coordinates accountability for all quality activities within the agency and its service system of over 500 state operated and voluntary provider agencies.
The Division of Quality Improvement ensures all programs and services that are certified, provided or funded by OPWDD are conducted according to established standards, regulations and statutory requirements. The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for the Division of Quality Improvement’s four units which provide this oversight collectively. Currently, a statewide system for Risk Stratified Oversight (RSO) is being implemented. RSO consists of three survey activities including Agency reviews, Site reviews and Person-Centered Reviews. RSO strategically targets oversight activities where they are most needed for more efficient use of resources by providing increased oversight of agencies and programs who display challenges in meeting requirements and providing quality services.
The Bureau of Program Certification is the administrative unit in OPWDD responsible for survey and certification of the over 7,500 certified facilities including residential homes and day service sites. In addition, OPWDD provides more than another 3,500 programs that are not site-based facilities. These programs provide supports and services to approximately 130,000 people with developmental disabilities across New York State.
The Incident Management Unit provides statewide oversight and review of critical incidents including immediate protections for individuals and required notifications including law enforcement where appropriate. In addition, IMU provides technical assistance to providers across the state and works closely with the NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. IMU completes much of this work through the Incident Report and Management Application (IRMA) OPWDD’s statewide web-based application.
The Continuous Quality Improvement Unit develops and implements projects critical to DQI. This includes developing, designing, and improving survey protocols and processes used by the Bureau of Program Certification in their work. CQI designs and implements periodic provider training and works with other units/divisions within OPWDD in developing QI strategy. CQI also oversees and coordinates OPWDD committees such as Early Alert, Compass and the statewide mortality review committees.
The Data Analysis & Evaluation Unit manages the DQI Application for survey and certification and IRMA. The Unit designs and produces data reports from these applications for a variety of internal and external audiences and works with IT partners to make needed application revisions or enhancements. The Unit also manages statewide access to these applications and provides training and technical assistance to users. The Unit also completes many tasks related to data validation and data integrity to increase the quality and accuracy of DQIs data.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Deputy Commissioner for Quality Improvement is responsible for the following:
• Ensure the ongoing development, revision, and implementation of the Agency’s Quality Strategy in collaboration with the OPWDD Leadership Team and stakeholder groups.
• Directs and ensures the development of all appropriate programmatic and administrative outcomes, performance indicators and performance expectations.
• Ensure the development of operational policies and procedures for survey and certification activities and incident management activities.
• Direct management of staff within the division.
• Develop performance measures and monitor accomplishments to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of work operations of the division.
• Develop and promote best practices to enhance the abilities of staff members and support the continuing development of staff competencies.
• Coordinate and develop the response of OPWDD to other federal and state oversight agencies.
• Develop and revise regulations and guidance and provide training to providers in all aspects of survey and certification and related topics.
• Develop Health and Safety Alerts.
• Oversee OPWDD’s Early Alert process, Statewide Mortality Review Committees, Compass, Statewide Committee for Incident Review (SCIR).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor’s degree or higher in public administration, public or healthcare policy, human services, organizational management, or a closely related field, and 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the management and oversight of administrative operations in a large quality improvement program that directs the inspection, review, and compliance of programs for vulnerable populations. At least 5 years of this experience must be in a supervisory capacity.
Candidates with experience in administrative operations supporting intellectual/developmental disabilities, and candidates with strong skills and experience in organizational change management and broad high-level policy making are strongly preferred.
Additional Comments Please note:
• As of 10/12/2021 all OPWDD employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to mandatory weekly testing for COVID-19.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume/cover letter.
• In order to be eligible for appointment and to maintain employment, you cannot be listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of the Federal and/or State Medicaid and Medicare exclusion lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program). If you are appointed and subsequently listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of these lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program), you may be terminated from your employment.
• This position has been designated as “Policy Influencing” by the New York State Civil Service Commission. As such, the incumbent of this position would serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.