Social Services Program Specialist 2

State of Nevada•Nevada, NV

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is recruiting for a full-time Social Services Program Specialist 2 in Elko, Carson City, or Reno, Nevada. The recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies in the Planning Advocacy and Community (PAC) program. The position is part of the Community Services subaward management team within the Office of Community Living (OCL), and serves as a subject matter expert for assigned ADSD-funded programs and services. The role provides direct technical assistance and support to subaward recipients to promote efficient service delivery, effective outreach, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and funding requirements. Social Services Program Specialists perform administrative and professional work in the administration of statewide public assistance, medical assistance, or social services programs. Work focuses on program administration, including interpreting laws and regulations; developing policies and procedures; quality assurance and control; preparing reports for federal and State entities and division or department management; and developing or enhancing automated systems that support program operations. Although incumbents may interact with clients to resolve customer-service issues, the purpose of the position is not to deliver direct services to program participants. Under direction, the incumbent performs the full range of duties involved in planning, developing, and implementing comprehensive, complex social services or medical assistance programs. The role requires interpreting broad and sometimes ambiguous statutes and regulations, making independent day-to-day program administration decisions, developing solutions using professional principles, applying policies and procedures, and assessing program effectiveness and efficiency. Significant or controversial decisions are made with or referred to supervisory and managerial personnel. The incumbent participates with higher-level staff in developing program components, plans, and policies subject to management review and approval. This level is distinguished from Social Services Program Specialist I by responsibility for more comprehensive and complex programs or grants and greater independence in interpreting statutes and regulations; some positions handle new program components or regional responsibilities. ADSD describes its work environment as positive, inclusive, and diverse, and values innovation, teamwork, and collaboration. Its mission is to empower individuals and their support systems by providing resources for disabilities and aging, connecting Nevadans to services, and improving their quality of life. This recruitment may close without further notice depending on the number of applications received; applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field pertinent to the program assignment and one year of professional experience providing social services to clients or developing and evaluating programs, with application of regulations, laws, policies, and procedures in making determinations; OR
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field pertinent to the program assignment and one year of professional experience providing medical assistance programs, services, or healthcare services to clients, or conducting program compliance and evaluation, with application of regulations, laws, policies, and procedures in making determinations; OR
One year of experience as a Social Services Program Specialist I in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of the described education and experience.
Working knowledge of social services and resources applicable to the assigned program, and methods of administering social or medical assistance programs in local and regional offices to ensure compliance and implement policies and procedures.
General knowledge of assigned program purpose and scope; appeal and hearing processes; automated information-system logic; data-processing concepts including databases, system security, data communication, and platform strengths and weaknesses; computer technologies for automated training modules and routine database applications; and training development and presentation practices.
Ability to develop routine databases; evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements; mediate among contending parties; coordinate with professionals across disciplines; interpret broad, ambiguous, or conflicting laws and regulations; make independent decisions affecting service quality; resolve complex service-eligibility and compliance issues; and identify policy issues requiring management resolution.
Ability to analyze and communicate system needs to programmers, validate programming work, and prepare and update computer-system documentation.
Ability to conduct needs assessments, interpret results, evaluate training models, develop curricula and materials, prepare statistical and analytical reports, interpret program budgets and financial statements, coordinate program activities, plan and conduct meetings, and clearly communicate findings to service providers and contract personnel, including when facing opposition or disagreement.
Skill in troubleshooting computer operating problems.

Responsibilities

Participate in planning and developing social services or medical assistance programs; conduct needs assessments; research and evaluate programs; identify community and financial resources; calculate agency impacts; prepare management reports and recommendations; apply for grants; draft proposed legislation; and develop program plans for approval.
Develop and revise State plans, policy manuals, procedures, and contracts; analyze and interpret federal regulations and State laws; assess their effects on program operations; coordinate input and approvals with affected parties and units.
Monitor program quality and compliance, design monitoring instruments, review management information reports, conduct on-site reviews of operations and records, identify problems, report findings, and develop corrective action plans.
Provide technical assistance and guidance to program staff and respond to inquiries from agency personnel, government agencies, community representatives, officials, media representatives, attorneys, and the public; clarify policies, provide statistical information, complete surveys, resolve complaints, and draft correspondence.
Conduct research studies by planning studies, designing data-gathering instruments, researching programs, compiling and analyzing data, preparing reports, and developing recommendations.
Prepare and monitor program operating budgets; develop annual budgets, allocate funds, track revenue and expenditures, and propose funding adjustments as needed.
Promote programs and serve as a division spokesperson; communicate with program personnel, clients, providers, media, community groups, and government officials; liaise with federal, State, and local officials; deliver speeches; write press releases and public service announcements; and develop informational materials.
Develop and implement training programs by assessing training needs, evaluating training models, developing curricula and materials, scheduling and conducting sessions, and evaluating and updating curricula.
Provide technical guidance and consultation to service providers within or outside the State, explain policies and regulations, and advise on problematic cases.
Participate in developing, maintaining, and enhancing computerized systems; assess program staff needs, initiate system change requests, work with programming staff to test and implement changes, and prepare computer-system manual documentation.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Independently make day-to-day program administration decisions, interpret and apply policies and regulations, and monitor program operations and personnel, referring significant or controversial matters to supervisory or managerial staff.
Participate with higher-level program staff, managers, and chiefs in developing and initially implementing program components, short- and long-term plans, and new policies for management review and approval.