County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to provide program planning, technical assistance, review and evaluation functions to direct client service delivery programs where such services are provided by community-based organizations (CBO's), contract service providers and/or County staff; to provide professional financial and administrative services to the unit to which assigned; to act as County liaison with service providers and ensure that program regulations and procedures are followed; and to do related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This professional class provides technical programmatic and financial services in a variety of client service areas; however, all positions are typically characterized by the following elements:

• The need for technical knowledge in the service delivery area to which assigned;
• The fact that client services are provided by CBO's, other contract providers and or County staff;
• The focus of responsibilities is of a dual nature, related both to program implementation and to the provision of financial services to the program or the unit to which assigned.

This class is distinguished from Supervising Program Specialist, which provides supervision to a staff of Program Specialists in addition to providing direct program review and evaluation. It is further distinguished from Program Specialist in that the latter focuses on technical program planning and monitoring without the ancillary financial and administrative responsibilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are examples of duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in this classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Develops and modifies techniques and formats to evaluate pilot or current program effectiveness and to determine the need for program modifications and/or new program development.

2. Researches program alternatives, funding sources, service delivery organizations and other elements for possible program inclusion; evaluates alternatives, prepares reports and makes recommendations.

3. Acts as the programmatic/fiscal between the County and various service providers; provides coordination among community-based organizations and other service providers, County departments, State or other funding sources and community or business organizations; interacts with planning councils and boards; answers questions and provides training and technical assistance as required.

4. Monitors assigned program or programs; ensures programmatic and fiscal compliance with contract provisions and funding source regulations; recommends and facilitates implementation of procedural and operational changes to maximize service delivery and revenue reimbursement.

5. Conducts follow-up monitoring to review and resolve fiscal irregularities and recommends of authorizes disallowing expenditures of service providers; may recommend contract termination.

6. Prepares grant or other funding requests and implementation documentation after award; maintains records and prepares and submits financial reports; answers questions and provides information during monitoring and auditing processes.

7. Makes revenue and expenditure projections related to assigned program areas; participates in the budgeting and claims reimbursement processes; provides information for periodic financial audits.

8. Performs a variety of administrative services such as designing and preparing requests for proposal, providing staff assistance and support to committees, commissions and/or policy/decision making boards, participating in unit planning processes and serving on various task forces; may direct the work of a small staff on a project or day to day basis.

9. Compiles and maintains accurate records and files regarding program activities; prepares periodic and special statistical or narrative reports as required; may access multiple databases to prepare such reports.

10. Negotiates contracts with service providers; ensures that contracts are renewed in a timely manner; prepares, distributes and follows-up on contract documentation.

11. Analyzes changes in regulations; evaluates the impact upon program operations and drafts policy and procedural changes as required.

12. Prepares a variety of correspondence, periodic and special reports, informational publications, program documentation, policies, procedures and other written materials.

13. Operates a variety of standard office equipment including a word processor and/or computer; may drive a county or personal vehicle to make site visits and attend meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

The equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university 180 quarter units or 120 semester units) with major coursework in business or public administration, a social science or a field related to the program area to which assigned.

(Additional experience as outlined below may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.)

AND
Experience:

The equivalent to three years of full-time, professional-level or supervisory work in the direct delivery of services to clients or the oversight of such services in the program area to which assigned, one year of which must have included program planning and evaluation, or in program administration, grants management or similar financial services.

(Possession of a Master’s degree in business, public administration, social science or a related field to the program area to which assigned from an accredited college or university, may be substituted for two years of the required experience.)

Licenses:

Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license.
Specified positions may also require licensure or certification in the programmatic area to which assigned.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, funding sources and administrative requirements in the program area to which assigned.
• Principles and practices of program planning and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of direct client service delivery.
• Practices and techniques of programmatic analysis and report preparation.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Budgetary, financial record-keeping and auditing techniques.
• Basic general administrative support practices, including business management.
• Basic principles and practices of contract and grant administration.

Ability to:

• Plan, monitor and evaluate program and service delivery effectiveness in the programmatic area to which assigned.
• Identify administrative, financial and operational problems, investigate and evaluate alternatives and implement effective solutions.
• Provide general financial and administrative services to the program and/or unit to which assigned.
• Interpret, explain and apply complex regulations, policies and procedures.
• Prepare clear, accurate and effective reports, correspondence, policies, informational brochures and other written materials.
• Represent the department and the County in meetings with others and make effective presentations to diverse groups.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

AM:jc
Admin. Study
12/93
Y:\1235H.WPF
co:updated 6/6/00
Newspecs doc. 0306.doc
Csc date: 4/6/94
ABS:po Revised 4/16/07
CSC Date: 5/23/2007

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.