PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, COMMUNITY SERVICE

  DEFINITION

 Under direction, assists in the professional, administrative and analytical 
 work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring  
 and/or evaluation of community oriented programs designed to address 
 the socio-economic, human service and other needs of community residents; 
 does other related duties as required. 

 NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. 
 A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this 
 job specification.  Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be 
 listed.
 
 EXAMPLES OF WORK:

 Using available information makes an initial survey to determine the
 social service and other needs of the community.

 Carries on a continuing survey of existing services for the aging,
 ascertains gaps in services, and initiates negotiations to expand
 existing services or to institute needed services not in existence.

 Acts as coordinator between community groups, public and private
 agencies, and other groups in developing, maintaining, and/or
 expanding social service projects such as family counseling,
 transportation, consumer education, legal assistance, and so forth.

 Meets with concerned groups to determine their needs and hear their
 proposals for solutions.

 Collects and analyzes data to evaluate the practicality and feasibility of 
 new and supplementary programs.

 Using information obtained from community organizations, county and
 municipal governments, and statistical data from field staff, develops
 plans to implement new programs to meet community needs.

 Organizes data and writes proposals following established guidelines
 for discussion and approval by all appropriate agencies and groups.

 Identifies sponsoring organizations and assists them in the design and
 preparation of proposals for funding programs.

 Reviews funding proposals to determine their eligibility, completeness, 
 and  technical content.

 Assesses and evaluates project proposals for grants to determine if
 they meet federal, state, and/or local requirements and if they
 possess the potential for rendering needed services to any community
 segment they are designed to serve.

 Recommends to superior the approval, disapproval, or further exploration
 of the need for service indicated by the proposal as the result of
 proposal review.

 Negotiates the preliminary grant and contract terms with appropriate
 funding agencies for development of programs when directed by
 supervisory official.

 Negotiates contractual arrangements with community based organizations
 who have been provided with federal or state funds to expand existing
 human service programs for older adults and assists such organizations
 in the preparation of goals and objectives determining levels of
 service to be provided and budget preparation, and provides them with
 ongoing technical assistance.

 Works in cooperation with other agencies to isolate human service
 problem areas on the county and/or community level with a view toward
 implementing new programs.

 Carries on a continuing analytical study of pertinent legislation
 implementing programs to meet the needs of the entire community.

 Works in cooperation with other agencies to isolate problem areas in
 local communities for implementing new programs for dealing with the
 entire community.

 Conducts studies to analyze legislation for implementing programs 
 to meet needs of local communities.

 May assist with the development of special training programs for
 professionals in the community working with local residents.

 Acts in a liaison capacity between staff and project operating
 agencies with regard to implementing social service projects.

 Represents the agency at various meetings and conferences.

 Prepares correspondence and reports.

 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.

 REQUIREMENTS:

 EDUCATION: 

 Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's 
 degree.

 NOTE:  Applicants who do not meet the above education requirement
 may substitute additional experience as described below on a
 year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being 
 equal to one (1) year of experience.

 EXPERIENCE:

 One (1) year of experience in the development of programs designed 
 to solve socio-economic needs of residents of the state and/or local 
 communities which shall have included responsibility for research, 
 negotiation, and/or writing of proposals for community service programs.

 NOTE:  Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college
 or university with concentration in the field of human or social
 services may be substituted for the above experience.
      
 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 AND ABILITIES:

 Knowledge of federal and state programs relating to the field of human
 and social services, community action, and other areas.

 Knowledge of current programs offered by foundations and private
 organizations to deal with community projects.

 Knowledge of methods and procedures used in submitting funding
 proposals to the federal government and/or private foundations.

 Knowledge of socioeconomic and other problems and needs of 
 local communities.

 Ability to do research in connection with and to assist in submission
 of proposals for projects to assist communities in meeting needs of
 their residents.

 Ability to evaluate community needs.

 Ability to analyze and evaluate community resources and available
 services designed to meet the needs of local residents.

 Ability to assist in the preparation of detailed application for
 federal grants.

 Ability to collect information and develop plans to meet human service
 needs of the community.

 Ability to comprehend and interpret federal, state, and private
 foundation regulations for submitting applications.

 Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with
 associates in the department and state and federal agencies involved
 in the human or social service fields.

 Ability to assist in compiling studies and surveys and preparing first
 draft reports as foundations for assessing community needs.

 Ability to prepare official correspondence and clear, technically
 sound, accurate outlines for reports.

 Ability to maintain records and files.

 Ability 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, and 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 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.

 
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
06930
L
C
  
N/A
23
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

 1/18/2018