PROGRAM SPECIALIST TRAINEE
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of a Program Specialist 3, Program Specialist 4, or other supervisory officer in a State department or agency, as a trainee and productive worker, receives on-the-job training while assisting in the professional, administrative, and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of human or social service programs, programs serving the socio-economic needs of specific clients populations, or regulatory programs designed to ensure public safety, health and welfare, or protection of the environment; completes assignments which provide practical Program Specialist experience; does other related work.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all the duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Under supervision, as trainee and productive worker:
Receives training in the principles of planning, operating, implementing, monitoring and/or evaluating socio-economic programs, human or social service programs or regulatory programs designed to meet the needs of a specified client population.
Learns to conduct research in the identification of appropriate grant/funding sources, and assists in the preparation and writing of grant proposals.
Learns to develop and prepare program resources to help identify needs in particular areas.
Under supervision, learns to conduct onsite evaluations or audits to ensure compliance with regulations and/or contract terms.
Under supervision, may assist in the planning, coordination, implementation and upgrade of existing programs, in assigned program area.
Responds to inquiries regarding program activities or requirements; refers the more complicated inquiries to senior level staff.
Establishes business and working relationships with a variety of parties, including federal, state, local government and private organizations.
Under general supervision, prepares informational materials, including letters, reports, correspondence, and other documents related to program functions and objectives.
Learns to perform professional recruitment, admissions/placement activities for the program.
Assists in preparing charts, tables, and other graphic representations needed for the planning, operation, and implementation of program activities.
Maintains essential records, reports and files.
Will be required to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
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.
Four (4) years of professional experience relevant to the position.
NOTE: Please refer to the Advancement section located at the bottom of this title specification for a comprehensive list of approved titles connected to this trainee title. Experience must be related to the journeyman title associated with the position.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
NOTE: Appointees to positions assigned to the Weatherization Assistance Program in the Department of Community Affairs will be required to complete training and obtain a certification as a Quality Control Inspector, issued by an agency accredited by the United States Department of Energy (USDOE),in conformance with USDOE Weatherization Program Notice 14-4. Training is required to be successfully completed subsequent to advancement to the primary title, Program Specialist 1, Socio-Economic Programs.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
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 AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data.
Ability to learn to research and identify public and private funding sources.
Ability to learn to prepare proposals for grant funding.
Ability to learn to conduct surveys, research and/or field investigations.
Ability to assist in the preparation of informational materials.
Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret basic law, rules, regulations, standards and policies and apply them to specific situations.
Ability to review, analyze and prepare written materials such as letter, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions.
Ability to participate in conferences, meetings and other events as required.
Ability to maintain essential records and files.
Ability to prepare reports.
Ability to work effectively with others.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information system used by the agency, office or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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.
ADVANCEMENT:
Appointees who successfully complete the 12 month training period will be eligible for advancement to one of the following titles: Program Specialist 1, Program Specialist 1 (Socio-Economic Programs), Program Specialist 1 (Social/Human Services), or Program Specialist 1 (Regulatory Programs).
The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to one of the titles listed above shall be considered as cause for separation
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
