Assistant Commissioner

Overview

Executive Service

Assistant Commissioner 2, Department of Human Services — Assistant Commissioner Rehabilitation Services

Locations:
Nashville, TN;
Knoxville, TN;
Memphis, TN;
Jackson, TN;
Chattanooga, TN

Annual Salary: $ - $

Closing Date: 02/23/2026

This is a hybrid position

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.

For more information, visit the link below:

https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

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

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is pleased to announce a very exciting opportunity. We invite highly qualified individuals to apply for the Assistant Commissioner position in the Division of Rehabilitation Services. The Division of Rehabilitation Services supports the mission of the Department by leading programs designed to assist Tennesseans with disabilities reach their maximum level of Independence through specialized services that promote employment, independence, and economic self-sufficiency.

The largest of DRSs programs is the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program. The VR program exists to strengthen Tennessee's workforce by providing individualized employment and training services to eligible persons with disabilities.

The Assistant Commissioner for DRS serves as the chief executive, providing strategic vision, change leadership, organizational development, and operational oversight for a complex division with an annual budget of approximately $200 million and a statewide workforce of nearly 1,000 staff. This role is accountable for increasing the number of Tennesseans in employment and directing the day-to-day administration of Vocational Rehabilitation, Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at Smyrna, the Tennessee Technology Access Program, Independent Living Services, employment services to specialized designated disabilities, and the Disability Determination Program in partnership with the US Social Security Administration.

The Assistant Commissioner also serves as a key member of the TDHS Executive Leadership Team, often representing the Department on various boards and designated councils, including the Tennessee State Workforce Board, the State Rehabilitation Council, and the Tennessee Council for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing.

• Provide executive leadership and oversight for all DRS programs, with a strong emphasis on competitive integrated employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
• Ensure full compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing vocational rehabilitation and related programs, including reporting to the Tennessee General Assembly, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Social Security Administration, and Administration for Community Living.
• Lead change management and organizational development initiatives to modernize service delivery systems, streamline processes, improve performance, and increase staff and customer satisfaction.
• Direct division-wide performance management, including the analysis and use of audit, compliance, and outcome data to identify trends, mitigate risk, and drive continuous improvement. Develop and implement the State Plan to meet Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements and align services with workforce development priorities.
• Collaborate with TDHS divisions and external state agencies (e.g., Education, Labor, Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Tenn Care) to advance shared goals and improve cross-system outcomes.
• Foster trust and collaboration with customers, advocates, providers, and stakeholders through transparent communication and meaningful engagement.
• Supervise statewide directors, regional and field leadership, policy and data specialists, and frontline staff to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across Tennessee.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Special Education, public administration, rehabilitation counseling, workforce development, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• Five (5) years of professional-level experience directing workforce and/or employment programs.
• At least (3) years of experience successfully leading and supervising senior-and/or mid-level managers. Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal regulations governing the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, with the ability to analyze and interpret complex regulatory and programmatic requirements.
• Proven experience managing large budgets, contracts, and provider agreements.
• Experience communicating and presenting information to…