PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4 SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the direction of an executive officer in a State department or agency, supervises professional and/or technical staff engaged in program activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; performs the most difficult and sensitive professional, administrative and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of human or social services programs; does other related duties as required. SPECIAL NOTE: An employee in this class conducts in-depth analysis, supervises the review of program proposals, supervises program evaluation and monitoring activities, and/or prepares recommendations aimed at developing, implementing, or modifying social/human services programs. Incumbents review proposed draft regulatory changes for fiscal or programmatic impact and make recommendations regarding the development and revision of agency policies based on changes to State and federal laws and regulations. Incumbents handle very complex and sensitive program issues and act as a subject matter expert. Assignments at this level are broadly defined; incumbents are expected to determine the methods needed to achieve objectives. Must supervise and evaluate staff, and oversees program activities and operations.

Examples of work

Supervises staff engaged in program activities and oversees program activities and operations; performs very complex and sensitive administrative, analytical and professional work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of social/human service program areas designed to improve the medical, social or other circumstances of the client population served Reviews proposed legislation and regulations as to its potential impact on the administration of the program and may recommend changes in operational policies or procedures to comply with changes in legal mandates Handles sensitive and complex program issues and acts as a subject matter expert Develops policy guidelines, administrative procedures, and regulations regarding programs Supervises the assessment of program needs Plans, develops and supervises the implementation of program goals, policies, procedures and objectives Supervises and/or conducts the more difficult onsite evaluations or audits to ensure compliance with prescribed codes, regulations, and/or contract terms; prepares related reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations Identifies program deficiencies and develops corrective action strategies in support of established goals Oversees and conducts research to identify appropriate grant/funding sources Establishes business relationships with potential funding sources via phone call, visit, and/or letter of inquiry Develops and prepares proposals for funding programs; reviews funding proposals to determine eligibility, completeness, and technical content; makes recommendations for funding bases on the results of the proposed review Designs and prepares proposals for implementing new programs, and revising or modifying existing programs; may implement and supervise programs Supervises and conducts onsite evaluations or audits to monitor compliance with federal or State regulations Conducts surveys or other studies to help identify program needs Participates in the development and implementation of department/agency initiatives Negotiates the preliminary grant and contract terms with appropriate funding agencies for the development of programs Provides operational support, information and assistance to agency staff for their dissemination to community groups, local provider agencies, various citizen groups, etc. Supervises various budget preparation activities within the department or agency Participates in the development and implementation of treatment and service delivery plans Develops and monitors program evaluation strategies Prepares position papers identifying issues and policy options and recommending policy choices in areas of department or agency responsibility Reviews and evaluates program components for client population served and utilizes these findings in the enhancement of service models in relevant program areas Prepares policy statements, operating guidelines, policy discussion documents, and other related reports Reviews evaluation findings to determine whether program designs under demonstration accurately represent the program models recommended Oversees program activities by establishing priorities and deadlines Serves as a program liaison to a variety of parties including federal, State and local government officials and providers Monitors expenditure of budgeted funds Oversees the training of staff involved in program activities Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs, evaluates employee performance and conduct, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees Prepares or recommends the modification of existing operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively Supervises, plans and conducts program outreach and promotional activities Analyzes financial reports for compliance with funding requests for funding (RFP) proposals Reviews, analyzes and prepares written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the methods and procedures used in planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating human or social services programs Knowledge of the legislative process and federal regulatory process Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data Knowledge of methods used to research and identify public and private funding sources Knowledge of the methods and procedures used to prepare and submit proposals for funding Knowledge of program evaluation techniques Knowledge of supervisory techniques Knowledge of the various types of human/social service programs likely to be needed by the client population served Knowledge of the principles and practices of contract compliance monitoring Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and Implement projects within the unit Ability to identify the social/human service needs of the client population served Ability to provide operational support, information and assistance to agency staff for their dissemination to community groups, local provider agencies, various citizen groups, etc. Ability to handle sensitive and complex program issues, provide recommendations for improvement, and act as a subject matter expert Ability to research and identify public and private funding sources Ability to oversee the training of staff involved in program activities Ability to prepare informational materials Ability to conduct needs assessments Ability to conduct surveys, independent studies, research and field investigations Ability to negotiate preliminary grant and contract terms with appropriate funding agencies for the development of programs Ability to supervise various budget preparation activities within the department or agency Ability to participate in the development of treatment and service delivery plans Ability to develop appropriate policy based on laws or legislative proposals Ability to serve as a program liaison to a variety of parties including federal, State and local government officials and providers Ability to provide advice and assistance to institutional and community agency staff as required Ability to establish business relationships with potential funding sources via phone call, visit, and/or letter of inquiry Ability to read, interpret and apply federal and State laws and regulations Ability to analyze financial reports for compliance with funding requests for funding (RFP) proposals Ability to oversee program activities and supervise staff Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment Ability to supervise the review, analysis and preparation of written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions Ability to coordinate special planning studies Ability to represent the department or agency at conferences, meetings and other events Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, groups and others involved in the operation of the program Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of records and files Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Eight (8) years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, coordinating, implementing, modifying and/or evaluating a social or human services program, one (1) year which shall have been in a supervisory capacity over professional or technical staff. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year which shall have been in a supervisory capacity over professional or technical staff. OR Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university in a Social/Human services specialty area, Public or Business Administration, Child Advocacy and Policy, or Child Advocacy and Policy with a concentration in Public Child Welfare; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity over professional or technical staff. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.