Program Officer

Program Officer - Caregiver Support Unit (Dept. for the Aging) In order to be considered for the position candidates must be a current City Employee and be serving permanently in the title of Program Officer or have taken the most recent Program Officer civil service exam and be reachable for appointment from the resulting list. Under the supervision of the Caregiver Support Unit Director but with latitude for independent judgment and initiative, the Program Officer will oversee contracts for the Caregiver programs. Essential to this role is an ability to partner with community programs and support their efforts in delivering quality services to older adults and their caregivers. Good communication skills, attention to detail and enthusiasm to work with older adults and the program they oversee are crucial. The Caregiver Support Unit oversees the caregiver support services and social adult day service programs. The unit's role is to provide technical assistance, contract oversight, educate and raise awareness on caregiver related issues. All contracted providers must meet their deliverables and offer quality service to caregivers and older adults to ensure they can continue to live safely at home. Responsibilities and duties of the Program Officer include: Review and approve program budgets, budget modifications and invoices in accordance with Department for the Aging's established policies, procedures, budgetary constraints and social service priorities. Support quality programming by ensuring adherence to program standards. Conduct annual program assessments through site visits and record reviews. Share assessment findings with programs and follow up to ensure compliance. Identify areas of program strength and weakness and recommend improvements. Communicate and reinforce relevant agency policies with program staff. Provide technical assistance to contractors and community groups. Enhance and develop ongoing technical assistance material for program distribution and training. Liaise with community groups, public and private agencies, and officials to improve coordination of services and community involvement in planning. Gather and analyze data for preparation of plans, reports, continuous quality indicators and/or proposals in conjunction with staff from other Department bureaus and units. Coordinate program meetings to respond to program needs, inquiries and other program activities that will support the success of the program's implementation of services. Plan new and additional resources and perform activities related to their implementation, make improvements to program assessment tools, provide input on Request for Proposals, and serve as a reader in the process. Participate in special projects and agency initiatives including program expansions and pilots. Minimum Qualifications A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of full‑time satisfactory professional experience in social services, community relations, public administration or management, contract management, social research and/or planning, or equivalent. Education and/or experience that is equivalent to #1 above. Experience as described in #1 may be substituted for education on a one‑to‑one basis. However, all candidates must have one year of experience as described in #1 and possess a four‑year high school diploma or its equivalent. For Assignment Level II, in addition to meeting the qualification requirements above, one additional year of the experience described in #1 above is required. Preferred Skills Ability to manage multiple complex projects to completion, preferably within a government or community‑based service environment. Excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills. Ability to take initiative and work effectively in fast‑paced and team‑oriented settings. Strong ability to work both independently and collaboratively across diverse teams. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and general comfort with technology and digital tools. Bilingual (Spanish, Chinese) preferred. Master’s degree or higher in a social services‑related field is a plus. 55(a) Program This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55‑a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55‑a Program. Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at Residency Requirement New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview. Additional Information The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. #J-18808-Ljbffr Department for the Aging