Program Specialist

Job Description:
Under direction, to provide program planning, technical assistance, review and evaluation functions to direct client service delivery programs where such services are provided by community-based organizations (CBO's), contract service providers and/or County staff in a wide variety of service areas; to act as County liaison with service providers and funding sources and ensure that program regulations and procedures are followed; and to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This professional-level class provides technical programmatic services in a wide variety of client service areas; however, all positions are typically characterized by the following elements:
The need for technical knowledge in the service delivery area to which assigned;
The fact that client services are provided by CBO's, other contract providers and/or County staff; and
The focus of responsibilities being related to program development and implementation, rather than to the provision of administrative or support to County departments.
This class is distinguished from Senior Program Specialist, which provides work direction or supervision to a support staff in addition to providing direct program review and evaluation. It is further distinguished from Program/Financial Specialist in that the latter has financial service responsibilities in addition to technical program responsibilities.
Responsibilities:

• NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.
• Develops and modifies techniques and formats to evaluate pilot or current program effectiveness and to determine the need for program modifications and/or new program development.
• Researches program alternatives, funding sources, service delivery organizations and other elements for possible program inclusion; evaluates alternatives, prepares reports and makes recommendations.
• Acts as the County liaison and provides coordination among community-based organizations and other service providers, County departments, State or other funding sources and community or business organizations; interacts with various planning councils or boards; answers questions and provides training and technical assistance as required.
• Monitors assigned program or programs; ensures compliance with contract provisions and funding source regulations; recommends and facilitates implementation of procedural and operational changes to maximize service delivery and revenue reimbursement.
• Compiles and maintains accurate records and files regarding program activities; prepares periodic and special statistical or narrative reports as required; may access multiple databases to prepare such reports.
• Negotiates contracts with service providers; ensures that contracts are renewed in a timely manner; prepares, distributes and follows up on contract documentation.
• Participates in departmental, Countywide and/or State planning processes; serves on a variety of committees and task forces.
• Analyzes changes in regulations; evaluates the impact upon program operations and drafts policy and procedural changes as required.
• Prepares a variety of correspondence, periodic and special reports, informational publications, program documentation, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment including a word processor and/or computer; may drive a county or personal vehicle to make site visits and attend meetings.

Minimum Qualifications Education

• The equivalent to graduation from an accredited four year college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) with major coursework in business or public administration, a social science or a field related to the program area to which assigned.
• (Additional experience as outlined below may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.)

Experience:

• The equivalent to three years of full-time professional-level or supervisory work in the direct delivery of services to clients or the oversight of such services in the program area to which assigned, one year of which must have included program planning and evaluation, or in program administration, contract negotiations, grants management and similar financial services.

Substitution:

• (Possession of a Master's degree in business, public administration, social science or a related field to the program area to which assigned from an accredited college or university, may be substituted for two years of the required experience.)

Licenses:

• Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license. Specified positions may also require licensure or certification in the programmatic area to which assigned.
• NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

Knowledge and Skills:

• NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties " section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, funding sources and administrative requirements in the program area to which assigned.
• Principles and practices of program planning and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of direct client service delivery.
• Practices and techniques of programmatic analysis and report preparation.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Basic budgetary and financial record-keeping techniques.

Ability to:

• Plan, monitor and evaluate program and service delivery effectiveness in the programmatic area to which assigned.
• Identify programmatic and operational problems, investigate and evaluate alternatives and implement effective solutions.
• Interpret, explain and apply complex regulations, policies and procedures.
• Prepare clear, accurate and effective reports, correspondence, policies, informational brochures and other written materials.
• Represent the department and the County in meetings with others and make effective presentations to diverse groups.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.