PROGRAM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 1, DEAF LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

Code: 65286F Unknown Unknown

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 general direction of the Chief, Program Planning and Development in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor, is responsible for providing comprehensive technical consultation and support services in the resolution of clients specific communication problems; provides professional skills training to Program Planning and Development Specialist 2's and field office staff; may supervise Program Planning and Development Specialist 2's, and/or develop more complex programs; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Provides guidance, suggests alternatives and makes recommendations regarding the procurement of various communication devices and services, analyzing, interpreting, and recommending legislation related to the deaf in order to effectuate changes in operations and/or policies; drafting related legislation; designing, and marketing; does related work as required.
• Takes the lead in identifying new knowledge and program innovation in the field of deafness rehabilitation to the Division which enables clients to perform tasks they were unable to do previously.
• Develops and monitors federal grants, evaluates progress toward stated goals, provides training resources, and acts as liaison to Federal grantees.
• Oversees one or more major program areas organization-wide to ensure efficient delivery of services to clients.
• Determines the need for technological innovations for the deaf population which impact on their successful vocational rehabilitation.
• Develops marketing programs in major areas which meet the needs of both employers and agency clientele.
• Negotiates, drafts, and finalizes interagency cooperative agreements which are intended to expand services to the deaf population and insure a cost effective service delivery system.
• Delivers Statewide consultation and training services to the business and industry community to assist them in implementing the regulations attendant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 with the goal of increasing job openings for deaf and hard of hearing citizens.
• Represents the agency on State, regional, and federal councils, task forces and advisory committees in order to identify new resources both financial and programmatic and to act as a technical resource person in order to clarify aspects of deaf programs and policies.
• Audits and provides consultation to private vocational rehabilitation facilities to ensure proper use of federal and State funds, recommends operational changes based on scheduled site visits in order to insure quality services to clients and cost effective fiscal policies. Periodically reviews and reevaluates the status of handicapped individuals placed in extended employment in rehabilitation facilities to determine the feasibility of their employment, or training for employment in the competitive labor market.
• Determines need, develops, coordinates and trains all levels of agency personnel to effectuate a more efficient service delivery system and upgrade technical and professional skills.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Evaluates innovative programs during the early stages of their operation in field locations as to the extent of adherence to basic plans for service; the degree of deaf target population penetration; the acceptance of plan concepts by agency staff, the acceptance of the program by the deaf community and other factors to be weighted before making a final recommendation concerning the future of the program.
• Collects, analyzes and interprets program data in order to assess effectiveness of service delivery, program outcomes, long range impact of services on deaf and hard of hearing consumers, efficiency of program management, future resource needs and future program objectives.
• Analyzes Electronic Data Processing needs and recommends updating of existing EDP system in order to ensure usefulness and accuracy for program applications.
• May supervise one or more Program Planning and Development Specialist 2's.
• May 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.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, guidance and counseling, psychology, public administration, sociology, social work, or human resources management.

Experience

Four years of experience in planning, developing, monitoring, and evaluating employment or training programs in a vocational rehabilitation facility or agency, social insurance program, or other employment and training agency; one year of which shall have specifically included the planning, developing, monitoring, and evaluating of programs for the vocational rehabilitation of the deaf and utilization of training techniques for the deaf.

Applicants may substitute one additional year of the indicated experience for the Master's degree.

<b>SPECIAL SKILLS </b>

Ability to communicate effectively in the preferred language of the deaf person, particularly American Sign Language, sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.

License

Appointee 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 the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret applicable Federal and State laws and regulations relative to the deaf that concern the vocational rehabilitation program, notable the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1978 Amendments.
• Ability to analyze and translate local, State, and national labor market information into successful marketing strategies for the deaf.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret applicable human resource legislation notably the Job Training Partnership Act and the Targeted Jobs Tax credit regulations.
• Considerable knowledge regarding the dynamics of interagency relationships and their effect on the Statewide service delivery system.
• Ability to work effectively with various levels of professional staff within the Division in an advisory and consultative capacity.
• Ability to develop, plan, and coordinate, informational workshops, conferences and meetings.
• Ability to formulate and prepare proposals for developmental monies to enable provision of improved and/or new services to the public of New Jersey, including detailed applications for Federal monies.
• Ability to interpret, evaluate and administer contracts with private consulting firms providing assistance in development of programs.
• Thorough knowledge of research design, elementary statistics, and program evaluation methods in order to collect, interpret and integrate data.
• Knowledge of the national scope of planning, training, evaluation, program development related to the Vocational Rehabilitation process.
• Wide knowledge of the disabled consumer's movement and its effect on policy and program development issues.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and apply considerable knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations which effect the employment and delivery of services to the handicapped constituencies.
• Wide knowledge of the disabled consumer's movement and its effect on policy and program development issues.
• Wide knowledge of group dynamics and problem solving interventions.
• Considerable knowledge of the role and functions of rehabilitation facilities and sheltered workshops in the rehabilitation process.
• Thorough knowledge of theories and practices, in the field of vocational rehabilitation in order to assess the effectiveness of services provided.
• Considerable knowledge of training techniques and dynamics.
• Considerable knowledge of the psychological, economic, social, and vocational problems of handicapped persons; and knowledge of the vocational possibilities and limitations of such individuals.
• Considerable knowledge of funding sources available to handicapped persons and of the development of Similar Benefit sources.
• Ability to appraise technical readiness of field staff, identify training needs and contribute to development of effective in-house skill training and development programs.
• Ability to prepare extensive correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and comprehensive reports containing recommendations.
• Ability to supervise establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to acquire knowledge of basic computer programming concepts practices and language in order to retrieve data necessary for program operation and evaluation.
• Wide knowledge of the characteristics of deafness associated with age of onset (Pre-lingual, pre- vocational, post vocational), in order to assess the appropriateness of current and proposed program.
• Considerable knowledge of the various modes of communication utilized by deaf and hard of hearing persons.
• Considerable knowledge of telecommunication devices for deaf and hard of hearing persons.
• Ability to communicate on a one to one basis with deaf leaders, agency representatives, agency staff, and deaf clients of the Division.
• 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 the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODE: 2/04/1987