Program Specialist

Basic Purpose 

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving professional level work in managing, coordinating or directing a major phase of a comprehensive or specialized operating program, providing staff services in various management areas, direction of a major operating division, program, unit, or functional area, or similar responsibilities. This may include serving as an operating program manager assigned administrative, staff, or program responsibilities, coordination, promotion, and improvement of programs, providing services in the areas of formulating agency policies or operating procedures, 

preparing agency budgets, fiscal management, human resources administration, physical plant operations, or other management functions, supervising specialized agency services, performing highly technical managerial or administrative support duties for executive level positions, or directing and coordinating volunteer or educational programs, and other comparable responsibilities. Positions not clearly identified by another job family, but having responsibilities involving directing, managing, or coordinating various agency functions or programs, may also be included in this job family. 

Typical Functions 

• Plans, organizes and/or directs a component of an agency or institutional program or a major division, program, or function established to accomplish a basic goal or mission of the agency. 

• Interprets and advises agency personnel and the general public on departmental rules, 

regulations and laws governing the operation of the agency, division or department program. 

• Prepares administrative, statistical and/or fiscal documents pertaining to departmental activity. 

• Provides supervision or direction to assigned staff in planning, promoting, and implementing programs in accordance with agency policies and goals. 

• Advises on future resource requirements, priorities for programs and activities; estimates timetables for accomplishing assigned activities; develops policies, rules, and regulations consistent with state and federal laws pertaining to the administration of programs. 

• Plans, develops and conducts training, seminars, meetings, or clinics as required; represents the agency at meetings, seminars, and conferences. 

• Drafts policies and procedures, and develops contract or grant proposals. 

• Reviews proposed legislation and recommends changes; may act as legislative liaison. 

Level Descriptor 

At this level employees are assigned responsibilities, which are limited in size or scope involving the supervision, direction, management, coordination, or implementation of various programs or functions within an agency. This may include professional or supervisory level work with responsibility for an important component of a comprehensive or specialized operating program, providing services in a variety of management areas such as formulation of agency policies, budget preparation, physical plan operations, or personnel and fiscal management, or performing highly specialized executive level administrative support functions and activities. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the methods of organization and management; of public administration; of agency policies and procedures; of grant or contract program requirements; of the legislative process; of basic research and statistical techniques; and of federal and state laws and regulations relating to administration of assigned programs. 

Ability is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to establish and develop training programs; to exercise good judgment in analyzing situations and making decisions; and to organize and present facts and opinions. 

Education and Experience 

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor's degree and one year of professional or technical administrative* experience in business or public administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of qualifying experience for each year of the required education. 

*Technical administrative experience would include highly complex clerical work gained under the direct supervision of a professional supervisor or manager. 

Special Requirements 

Some positions will require that applicants be willing and able to perform all job-related travel.