Senior Program Specialist

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions in a variety of departments, service areas, and locations throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium. The current vacancies are in Ukiah.

Under direction, the Senior Program Specialist performs advanced professional duties in the planning, coordination, and evaluation of complex departmental programs. This position is responsible for developing and implementing programs, analyzing policy and legislative impacts, and ensuring compliance with regulations and funding requirements.

BHRS - Mental Health Services - This position supports the administration and coordination of the Public Conservator program, working collaboratively with behavioral health professionals, healthcare providers, courts, families, community partners, and other agencies. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with a commitment to serving and supporting our community.

Public Health - QA/QI - This position supports quality improvement initiatives, monitors program performance, analyzes data, and ensures compliance with state and federal requirements. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across interagency teams and support continuous quality improvement to enhance program effectiveness and service delivery.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinate programs geared towards a target population; develop program work plans in accordance with specifications and funding limitations; recommend program activities, objectives, and providers for management approval; monitors expenditures.
• Evaluate and address program participants’ needs, requests and concerns regarding program services; provide referrals and coordinates activities and provide counsel as necessary to ensure optimum efficiency and compliance with appropriate policies and procedures; advise other county departments, public agencies and community groups of the needs and concerns of client populations.
• Evaluate program effectiveness to improve methods and outcomes; recommend and take appropriate actions.
• Provide extensive staff support for proposal development and grant writing, including research.
• Develop methods and procedures and is responsible for 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 budget preparation, program reporting, expansion of services and/or the initiation of 
• agencies, and other departments.
• Coordinate, facilitate and/or conduct public meetings and activities as required.
• Prepare reports on program activities, progress and other information for management and external sponsors.
• Develop surveys to determine community need for services; compiles and reports on results; recommend new or change in services for management approval.
• Review, interpret, and apply changes in legislation for assigned programs.
• Provide staff assistance to citizen groups and committees.
• Prepare and submit various mandated financial, operational, and statistical reports.
• May train and have oversight of Program Specialist I/II and volunteers.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

A 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 (2) years of experience performing journey-level duties in support of advanced program operations, management, personnel, fiscal, or staff development work, including the independent development and preparation of reports and recommendations, preferably involving complex or specialized program areas, comparable to Program Specialist II.

OR

A combination of related education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Knowledge of:

• Functions, principles, and operation of public administration programs.
• Applicable state, federal, and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations and legislative issues; with particular emphasis on compliance requirements and funding allocations.
• Public assistance laws, regulations, and program requirements, as well as community resources and health education techniques to support effective service delivery. 
• Principles of planning, organization, research, and analysis.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Grant writing and application processes.
• Setting and obtaining program goals.
• Principles of training and development.
• Principles and practices of training and development, including the administration and evaluation of programs.
• Data collection, data analysis, and application to management information system design and implementation.
• Contract development and monitoring,
• Budget, utilization projections and cost analysis.
• Computer applications and hardware related to the performance of the essential functions of the job.

Skill in:

• Exercising sound independent judgement and problem-solving skills within established guidelines. 
• Analyzing, evaluating and diagnosing situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Interpreting new and revised regulations and projecting probable impacts to the program.
• Developing, revising, and implementing departmental operating policies and procedures.
• Defining organizational, procedural, and resource allocation problems.
• Collecting, organizing, and evaluating pertinent data, defining and validating conclusions and/or identify alternative solutions, and anticipating consequences of decisions and recommendations.
• Speaking effectively in groups and in individual situations.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and judgment within established guidelines.

• Read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations. 
• Maintaining confidentiality.
• Prepare clear, concise, and complete reports, correspondence, directives, and manuals.
• Interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Work under conditions of changing priorities and tight time schedules.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with program participants, staff, volunteers, and community groups from a variety of social, cultural and economic backgrounds.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: walk, sit, use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, speak and hear, push and pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply. 
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.

• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application. 
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character. 
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list. 

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date. 

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer