The newly established Office of Grants Management (OGM) within the Department of Health Services (DHS) is hiring a Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Director. In collaboration with subject matter experts throughout DHS, OGM provides the agency with centralized grantmaking functions to focus on customer service, compliance with federal requirements, and the overall consistency and quality of the grants process. 

This position can work remotely up to 5 days per week but is required to report to the office on occasion to complete certain tasks such as onboarding, meetings, and for other business needs. This position is headquartered in the heart of downtown Madison at 201 E. Washington Ave.

As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you'll have access to an amazing benefits package, including:

• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time; limitations may apply for leave time usage in the first six months. 
• Top rated health plan options starting at $45/month for single plans and $111/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service. 
• Exceptional pension plan with a 7.2% employer match in 2026 with lifetime retirement payment. Plus, a tax advantaged supplemental retirement savings plan which allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement. Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!  
• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High Deductible Health Savings.
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

As the RHTP Director, your primary responsibility will be to provide executive leadership, direction, and oversight for the statewide implementation of the program - a complex, multi-year cooperative agreement funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). You’ll oversee a multidisciplinary section responsible for designing, executing, and evaluating the RHTP, which aims to improve access, outcomes, and infrastructure for rural health systems across Wisconsin.

Within the section, you will direct two units including the RHTP Grants and Fiscal Administration Unit, responsible for subrecipient management, fiscal compliance, and risk mitigation, and the RHTP Policy and Performance Unit, which leads policy alignment, data analysis, and program evaluation, including the initiative’s interoperability and health information technology (HIT) components.

In addition, you will:

• serve as the Department’s principal liaison with CMS and external partners, which include Tribal Nations, hospitals, health systems, and community partners, to ensure program goals, reporting, and compliance requirements are achieved.
• oversee up to $1 billion in federal funding through 2030, ensuring fiscal stewardship, transparency, and measurable outcomes.
• establish and maintain governance structures, performance frameworks, and technical infrastructure for RHTP implementation, while aligning the program with broader DHS modernization initiatives such as interoperability infrastructure development, workforce transformation, and data integration strategies.
• lead a section of approximately 20 full-time staff across fiscal, policy, data, and IT functions and play a critical role in ensuring the sustainability and accountability of DHS’s statewide health transformation efforts.

The starting pay is between $47.00 and $53.00 per hour (approximately between $97,700 and $110,200 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. A 24-month career executive trial period is required. 

Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction. The position is classified as a Health Services Management Supervisor and is in pay schedule and range 81/02.

• All applicants who may be appointed will be required to allow DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.
• For positions that allow remote working flexibility, working outside of Wisconsin or in bordering cities will not be allowed except in extremely limited circumstances due to the need to report to an office location in Wisconsin on short notice.
• Employees must have access to both a private workspace and secure high-speed internet for remote work option. Mileage reimbursement to the employee’s headquarter location is not provided. 
• DHS does not sponsor work visas for this position, thus, in compliance with federal law, selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire. DHS is not an E-Verify employer nor a STEM-OPT eligible employer.

Minimally qualified applicants will have all the following:

• Experience administering health or human services programs, including responsibility for strategic planning, program implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience interpreting, applying, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations applicable to federally funded health or human services programs.
• Experience in a management or supervisory role (e.g., delegating or assigning work, mentoring and training, establishing work goals, conducting performance evaluations, hiring, administering discipline, etc.). 
• Experience using data and analytics to inform program decisions, track performance, or support continuous quality improvement.

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or more of the following:

• Experience administering or directing large‑scale federal cooperative agreements, such as CMS initiatives or health transformation efforts involving rural or underserved populations.
• Experience with health IT systems and interoperability standards (e.g., electronic health records (EHR), statewide data sharing, system integration, IT governance requirements, etc.).
• Experience leading organizational change, such as building new teams or sections, or establishing new systems, policies, and processes.

Your letter of qualifications is limited to two (2) pages. Your resume is limited to three (3) pages. For a guide on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here.

Applying is easy! Click “Apply for Job” to start your application process.  Sign into your account or create an account before applying for the job. Follow the steps outlined in the application process to submit your application.

Helpful Information: 

• Once your application is submitted, no changes are allowed. Click “Save” to allow changes to your application as needed before submitting by the deadline. 
• You may want to save a copy of the job posting for referencing after the deadline.
• Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts according to the qualifications above. 
• Please monitor your email for communications related to this position. 
• Current or former permanent, classified, state employees must complete the online application process to be considered. 
• If viewing through an external site, please apply directly at Wisc.Jobs. 
• For technical assistance and general information, please see Frequently Asked Questions. For questions about the position, to request a copy of the full position description, or for other employment inquiries, please contact Shannon in Human Resources at Shannon.kavorik@dhs.wi.gov. 

DHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. 

Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on Veterans’ hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran’s Affairs, click here.

The deadline to apply is December 19th at 11:59 pm. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm.  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.