State of Maryland

An Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program Specialist is administrative staff work in the Unemployment Insurance Administration involving the direction of a program with primarily singular objectives or assisting in directing a larger program with more varied activities.  Employees in this classification perform duties that requires application of accepted management techniques and methods for the identification and solution of agency problems.  Employees in this classification are expected to plan and conduct studies, analyze results, and formulate recommendations to increase the operating efficiency of the assigned Unemployment Insurance Administration program and such recommendations may be of a precedent-setting nature, or require changes in the legislation governing the agency.  Employees in this classification may also be responsible for the day-to-day operations of an Unemployment Insurance Administration program, for example, the Cost Model.  Employees in this classification may act as the principal staff assistant to and Administrator directing a program with varied activities, for example Special Programs.  Employees in this classification are expected to function with a high degree of independence and have frequent contacts with public officials.  Employees in this classification perform duties that include the interpretation and application of laws, rules and regulations affecting the Unemployment Insurance Administration program, and the training and supervision of the program staff.

Employees in this classification receive general direction and guidance from a higher-level management official. Work effectiveness is evaluated in terms of timeliness, quality and completeness of assigned projects. Supervision of subordinate professional, technical, or clerical personnel may be required.

Position allocation to this classification is determined on the basis of relative job evaluations among similarly functioning positions. The job evaluation factors include: qualifications; nature and purpose of personal contacts; nature of recommendations, commitments, decisions and conclusions; creative thought; responsibility for planning; responsibility for administration; and nature of supervision received.

May direct the activities of an Unemployment Insurance program with a singular objective, e.g., Cost Model, Internal Security, Investigation/Audit, Quality Assurance Program;

May assist in the planning and direction of a major Unemployment Insurance program, i.e., Contributions, Benefits , or Special Programs, functioning as the principal staff assistant to the Program Administrator;

Represents the Unemployment Insurance Administration on program activity with Regional and National offices of the Department of Labor and with Employment Security Agencies in other States;

Plans and coordinates the activities of the program to accomplish its goals and objectives;

Evaluates and monitors program activities to assure efficient and effective performance and makes recommendations for necessary corrective actions;

Prepares program directives on policies and procedures related to program activities;

Provides technical guidance on policy interpretation and program implementation to DET Administrators, Regional Administrators and Local Office Managers;

Maintains liaison with Central Office Units, Local Offices, Regional Offices, Department of Labor and participating States, where necessary;

Studies and analyzes program operations and problems, prepares detailed and comprehensive reports of findings and recommendations, and assists in implementing procedural or policy changes;

Performs public contact work in accomplishing assignments and promotes good public relations;

Represents the Unemployment Insurance Administration on program activities with public and private agencies;

May supervise a staff of professional and/or clerical employees;

Performs other necessary duties as required.

Knowledge, at the expert level of proficiency, of federal and State laws, rules and regulations pertaining to Unemployment Insurance;

Knowledge, at the expert level of proficiency, of local procedures and methods as they apply to the Unemployment Insurance program;

Knowledge of English language skills, grammar, including spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, and the collection, arrangement, and expression of subject matter;

Knowledge of labor conditions within the State;

Knowledge of current national and local social and economic problems;

Knowledge of local and central office operations and procedures;

Knowledge of systems analysis and work simplification techniques;

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public and business administration, including the processes of planning, organizing and controlling;

Knowledge of analytical procedures and techniques used in organizing and conducting studies and analyses of organizations, programs or operations;

Knowledge of methods and procedures for the collection or organization, interpretation and presentation of information;

Knowledge of the elementary concepts of the principles and practices of personnel administration, workforce planning and proper organizational structure;

Knowledge of the elementary concepts of basic quantitative techniques, including statistics;

Knowledge of the elementary concepts of basic uses and capabilities of electronic data processing;

Knowledge of the elementary concepts of programs and services available in the Job Training and Placement Administration or special programs for the disadvantaged in the Maryland Department of Labor;

Ability to adapt and apply concepts and techniques of administrative analysis to the needs of specific projects;

Ability to identify problem areas and recommend appropriate solutions based on logical consideration of alternatives;

Ability to prepare and present reports or recommendations clearly and concisely;

Ability to interpret and apply a variety of laws, rules, regulations, standards and procedures;

Ability to prepare accurate work flow diagrams, charts, time and cost studies, and other analytical aids;

Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships and to use tact, discretion and persuasiveness in dealing with others;

Ability to exercise resourcefulness and sound judgment.

Experience: Eight years of administrative experience in unemployment insurance work involving discretion and independent judgment directly related to unemployment insurance programs.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and four years of administrative experience in unemployment insurance work involving discretion and independent judgment directly related to unemployment insurance programs for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute graduate education from an accredited college or university for experience at the rate of one year of education for one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Human Resources Management classifications or Human Resources Management specialty codes in the unemployment insurance field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G, Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from   collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.  

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.