ACOM DWS AREA OPERATIONS CHIEF

Date: Jun 4, 2025

Req ID: 49825

Location:

Statewide, AR, US, Statewide

Category: DEPT OF WORKFORCE SERVICES

Anticipated Starting Salary: $56,038.94

Position Number: 22093897
County: Statewide
Anticipated Starting Salary:
Employment & Training

Please note, this position requires on-site employment with no remote or hybrid options available.

Position Summary

Arkansas Workforce Connections (AWC) Area Operations Chief is responsible for managing the Wagner Peyser staff located across the state who provide in-person and virtual Employment Services. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy.

Education and Professional Work Experience

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, education, business, public administration, or a related field; plus, five years of experience in employment services and unemployment insurance or a related field, including two years in a managerial or supervisory capacity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of supervisory practices and procedures.
Knowledge of state and federal laws governing Workforce Services programs, organization and administrative practices and procedures.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of lower-level supervisors and/or subordinates.
Ability to plan, organize, and develop Workforce Services programs and delivery systems.
Ability to analyze program operations, note trends, and recommend future actions to improve services or correct deficiencies.
Ability to coordinate activities and collaborate with others.

Job Responsibilities and Expected Results

Provides advice and assistance to the Assistant Director and confers with department management and other state and federal personnel regarding the administration of the nonmonetary adjudication and employer charge unit.

Interviews and selects professional and administrative support staff, provides training opportunities, resolves problems, and evaluates the performance of incumbents.

Establishes goals and objectives and long and short-range plans, develops policies and procedures, reviews and evaluates program effectiveness and compliance, implements and monitors corrective action, and implements and interprets federal and state laws and regulations related to nonmonetary adjudications.

Establishes goals and objectives and long and short-range plans, develops policies and procedures, reviews and evaluates program effectiveness and compliance, implements and monitors corrective action, and implements and interprets federal and state laws and regulations related to employer charges.

Provides direction to staff by analyzing operations and activities and providing feedback regarding needs, improvements, and accomplishments, advising on projects and problems, serving as a technical resource, conducting meetings, reviewing/developing project plans and schedules and determining priorities.

Responds to requests for information from internal and external customers either directly through the Governor's Office or other lawmakers' offices and the United States Department of Labor.

Ensures compliance with USDOL Core Measures, USDOL Secretaries Standards in Regulation and other performance measures specific to adjudications and employer charges.

8. Perform other duties as assigned

The mission of the Department of Commerce is to champion economic opportunities through strategic initiatives and an equitable regulatory environment that attracts and grows businesses, safeguards consumers, enhances workforce quality, and energizes our infrastructure, creating a better quality of life for all Arkansans.

Position Information

Class Code: G068C

Grade: GS10

FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Salary Range: $56,039.00 - $89,383.00

Summary

The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Area Operations Chief is responsible for managing a local Workforce Center and providing management support and assistance to area Workforce Service offices. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Functions

Directs the activities of a large professional staff through lower-level supervisors including approving hire recommendations, reviewing performance evaluations, evaluating the performance of immediate subordinates, and reviewing and approving/disapproving a variety of actions/policies/procedures recommended by subordinates. Manages and directs the activities of a local Employment Security office and provides management support and assistance to other local offices within an assigned district, including formulating goals and objectives, implementing policies and procedures, and evaluating the effectiveness of work activities. Investigates problems or client complaints by conducting random referral searches by computer, reviewing referral information, and gathering information from local offices to determine actions taken and justification for actions. Reviews and approves proposed policies and procedures initiated in local offices and approves managerial decisions on the local level. Monitors budget levels for local and area offices, approves expenditures and purchases needed by local offices, and routes information to the Director of Area Operations for final approval. Coordinates the development and implementation of in-service training for staff by approving and scheduling training sessions, approving training materials, and monitoring training sessions. Identifies and contacts employment sources and makes presentations at clubs, civic organizations, and professional associations to provide information about services available at the Employment Security Department. Reviews and approves delivery system progress reports submitted by field personnel to ensure that programs are implemented through acceptable methodology which meets objectives, assesses problems, and provides solutions. Provides technical assistance to field personnel and local managers by answering questions, providing information, and making recommendations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Dimensions

Occasional in-state and limited out-of-state travel is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of supervisory practices and procedures. Knowledge of state and federal laws governing Workforce Services programs. Knowledge of Workforce Services programs, organization, and administrative practices and procedures. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of lower-level supervisors and/or subordinates. Ability to plan, organize, and develop Workforce Services programs and delivery systems. Ability to analyze program operations, note trends, and recommend future actions to improve services or correct deficiencies. Ability to organize, implement, and evaluate training workshops. Ability to coordinate activities and collaborate with others.

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, education, business, public administration, or a related field; plus five years of experience in employment services and unemployment insurance or a related field, including two years in a managerial or supervisory capacity. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

None

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.