PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of a supervisory official in a State department or agency, supervises professional and/or technical staff engaged in program activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; performs the most difficult and sensitive professional, administrative and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of various programs and services administered by the Department of assignment; supervises and conducts the research and field work necessary to meet the needs of the appropriate state and/or local public or private agencies; does other related work.
SPECIAL NOTE: An employee in this class conducts in-depth analysis, supervises the review of program proposals, supervises program evaluation and monitoring activities, and/or prepares recommendations aimed at developing, implementing, or modifying programs. Incumbents review proposed draft regulatory changes for fiscal or programmatic impact and make recommendations regarding the development and revision of agency policies based on changes to State and federal laws and regulations. Incumbents handle very complex and sensitive program issues and act as a subject matter expert. Must supervise and evaluate staff, and oversees program activities and operations.
NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills.
64486H - Bilingual in Spanish and English
SPECIAL SKILL: Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Supervises staff engaged in program activities and oversees program activities and operations; performs very complex and sensitive administrative, analytical and professional work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs and services administered by the Department of assignment
Plans, develops and supervises the implementation of program goals, policies, procedures and objectives
Reviews proposed legislation and regulations as to its potential impact on the administration of the program and may recommend changes in operational policies or procedures to comply with changes in legal mandates
Handles sensitive and complex program issues and acts as a subject matter expert
Supervises the assessment of program needs
Designs, reviews and prepares proposals for implementing new programs, and revising or modifying existing programs; supervises a program
Identifies program deficiencies and develops corrective action strategies in support of established goals
Researches and identifies available funding sources; develops and reviews grant applications, and writes proposals; negotiates and monitors contracts or grants
Provides guidance and technical assistance regarding program activities to agencies and program clients
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs, evaluates employee performance and conduct, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees
Supervises and/or conducts the more difficult onsite evaluations or audits to ensure compliance with, regulations and/or contract terms; supervises the preparation of reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations
Oversees administrative and other studies/surveys to help identify program needs
Monitors expenditure of budgeted funds
Reviews staff prepared program resources to ensure accuracy of content
Plans and conducts program outreach and promotional activities
Participates in the implementation of department/agency initiatives
Serves as a program liaison to a variety of parties including federal, State and local government officials and providers
Develops and monitors program evaluation strategies
Organizes and conducts education/training workshops
Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other State and local code enforcement officials
Establishes business relationships with potential funding sources via phone call, visit, and/or letter of inquiry
Supervises the preparation of, and/or prepares informational materials
Oversees the training of staff involved in program activities
Supervises program activities involving professional recruitment, admissions and/or placement
Prepares charts, tables, and other graphic representations needed for the planning, operation and implementation of program activities Reviews, analyzes and prepares written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions
Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files
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:
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.
Eight (8) years of experience in planning, monitoring, coordinating, implementing, modifying, and/or evaluating agency programs and services; one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity over professional or technical staff.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity over professional or technical staff.
OR
Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university in a discipline appropriate to the position; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity over professional or technical staff.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
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 the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the methods and procedures used in planning, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating and/or implementing programs administered by the Department of assignment
Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data
Knowledge of methods used to research and identify public and private funding sources
Knowledge of the methods and procedures used to prepare and submit proposals for funding
Knowledge of program evaluation and assessment techniques
Knowledge of the principles and practices of contract compliance monitoring
Knowledge of supervisory techniques and practices
Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit
Ability to conduct periodic evaluations of programs
Ability to handle the most sensitive and complex program issues and act as a subject matter expert
Ability to oversee program activities and supervise staff
Ability to organize assigned tasks, provide instruction to employees and review their work
Ability to supervise and conduct surveys, independent research and field investigations
Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret laws, rules, regulations, standards and policies and apply them to specific situations
Ability to research and identify public and private funding sources
Ability to supervise the preparation of proposals for funding
Ability to coordinate special planning studies
Ability to supervise the preparation of informational materials
Ability to prepare training plans and projects
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, groups and others involved in the operation of the program
Ability to establish business relationships with potential funding sources via phone call, visit, and/or letter of inquiry
Ability to supervise the review, analysis and preparation of written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions
Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate and comprehensive reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations
Ability to represent the department or agency at conferences, meetings and other events
Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records and files
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 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(s) which
are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title:
