Senior Program Specialist

County of Mendocino•Ukiah, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Under direction, the Senior Program Specialist performs advanced professional duties in planning, coordinating, and evaluating complex departmental programs. The position develops and implements programs, analyzes policy and legislative impacts, and ensures compliance with regulations and funding requirements. The recruitment list may be used for a limited period to fill regular full-time and part-time vacancies in various County departments, service areas, and locations. Current vacancies are in Ukiah. Employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or Covelo are eligible for a 5% assignment premium under current bargaining unit agreements. Assignments may support Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Mental Health Services, including administration and coordination of the Public Conservator program; Public Health Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement initiatives; Social Services Adult and Aging Services programs; or Social Services Housing Coordination Unit/Special Projects Team. The Housing Coordination assignment oversees the Homelessness Management Information System and provides technical assistance, training, and data-entry support for related housing and homelessness programs. Bilingual English/Spanish candidates are encouraged to apply. The position coordinates programs and work plans, evaluates service effectiveness, supports grant and proposal development, manages data and reporting activities, monitors contracts and expenditures, provides technical assistance, and interprets legislative and regulatory changes. It may train and oversee Program Specialist I/II employees and volunteers, and performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in Public or Business Administration, Management, or a field closely related to the assigned program(s), and two years of experience performing journey-level duties supporting advanced program operations, management, personnel, fiscal, or staff development work, including independently developing and preparing reports and recommendations, preferably in complex or specialized program areas comparable to Program Specialist II; OR a combination of related education, training, and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Valid driver’s license; required licenses and certifications must be maintained or obtained within applicable timeframes.
Knowledge of public administration program functions, principles, and operations; applicable laws, rules, regulations, legislative issues, compliance requirements, and funding allocations.
Knowledge of public assistance laws, regulations, and program requirements, community resources, and health education techniques.
Knowledge of planning, organization, research, analysis, interviewing, grant writing, program goal setting, training and development, data management, contract monitoring, budgeting, utilization projections, cost analysis, and relevant computer applications and hardware.
Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and problem-solving within established guidelines; analyze situations and choose effective courses of action; interpret regulations and project program impacts; and develop, revise, and implement operating policies and procedures.
Ability to identify organizational, procedural, and resource-allocation problems; collect, organize, and evaluate data; validate conclusions or identify alternatives; and anticipate consequences of decisions and recommendations.
Ability to speak effectively in group and individual settings and use tact, discretion, initiative, and judgment.
Ability to read and interpret professional, technical, and government materials; maintain confidentiality; and prepare clear, concise, complete reports, correspondence, directives, and manuals.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-form instructions; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; and work with changing priorities and tight schedules.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program participants, staff, volunteers, and community groups from varied social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including moving or lifting objects weighing up to 25 pounds above and below the neck.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish is encouraged.
Experience in complex or specialized program areas comparable to Program Specialist II is preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate programs geared toward target populations; develop work plans within program specifications and funding limitations; recommend activities, objectives, and providers for management approval; and monitor expenditures.
Evaluate and address program participants’ needs, requests, and concerns; provide referrals, coordinate activities, and provide counsel as necessary to support efficient and compliant services.
Advise County departments, public agencies, and community groups about the needs and concerns of client populations.
Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend or take appropriate actions to improve methods and outcomes.
Provide staff support for proposal development and grant writing, including research.
Develop methods and procedures and conduct evaluation activities and data management projects.
Monitor agreements and contracts, draft requests for proposals, track expenses, and ensure compliance with terms and guidelines.
Provide technical assistance to consultants and agencies regarding budgets, program reporting, service expansion, and agency or departmental initiatives.
Coordinate, facilitate, or conduct public meetings and activities as required.
Prepare reports on program activities and progress for management and external sponsors.
Develop community needs surveys, compile and report results, and recommend new or changed services for management approval.
Review, interpret, and apply legislative changes affecting assigned programs.
Provide staff assistance to citizen groups and committees.
Prepare and submit mandated financial, operational, and statistical reports.
May train and oversee Program Specialist I/II employees and volunteers.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Depending on assignment, support the Public Conservator program; quality improvement and performance monitoring; Adult and Aging Services programs and State reporting; or HMIS administration and related housing and homelessness programs.