Program Operations Specialist 1

Program Operations Specialist

These positions will perform CCO/HH oversight activities typically under the management/supervision of a Program Operations Specialist 2. This position will play an integral role in the completion of assigned reviews to assess the CCO/HH programs under the oversight of OPWDD. The incumbent may be expected to assist with quality improvement projects, the review of recommendations for quality management plans, the creation of professional written materials and other tasks, as required.

Specific duties may include but not be limited to:

• Be able to use critical assessment and judgment skills to determine the quality of services/supports delivered for reviews that are not strictly compliance-based. This requires strong analytical skills, a strong interview skill set, review of case records and documentation and other methodologies in a team-based environment that crosses OPWDD Divisional boundaries and reaches beyond the standard "met/not met" decision making approach.
• Conduct case reviews in accordance with team/Division expectations, policies, processes, and protocols identified for these activities and as assigned by supervisor. (Components include thorough record review and interviews, minimally).
• Will be responsible for a caseload of review tasks and functions.
• Demonstrate strong writing skills through the writing of review findings, deficiencies, reports, presentations, etc.
• Review and assessment of plans of corrective action and provision of enhanced oversight, as needed.
• Exhibit comfortability and strength with public speaking (with CCO/HHs, DOH, OPWDD, etc.)
• Demonstrate comfortability with engaging with a diverse group of interest holders (people receiving services and their family members/advocates/representatives, various groups of internal and external agency staff such as Care Managers, agency Executive Leadership, etc.)
• Use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Access, etc.) as needed, to complete work assignments, analyze data, track review activities, etc.
• Creation of training materials, provision of training as needed to both internal and external audiences.
• Participate in CCO/HH recertification and redesignation reviews as a member of the joint CCO Quality Review Team in collaboration with DOH to recertify and redesignate CCOs in accordance with assigned review tasks and standard operating procedures.
• Participate in special annual targeted reviews of CCO/HHs and in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Compile information from review activities and assist with written reports and communication materials identifying quality and compliance concerns and formulate appropriate and relevant quality improvement recommendations.
• Is expected to be willing and capable to learn all CCO/HH related activities, operations and policy/practices in order to facilitate and assist with quality improvement assignments.
• Work independently and as a part of both larger and smaller teams. This includes (but is not limited to) teams internal to DQI, with other OPWDD Divisions, with the Department of Heath and CCO/HH programs.
• Coordinate and participate in assigned internal/external workgroups, committees and meetings related to CCO/HH program operations, oversight, and quality improvement.
• Take and distribute meeting minutes, monitor email responses, and other tasks, as assigned.
• Assist in the creation of written summaries of assigned CCO/HH performance at an aggregate/system level for each CCO/HH and at a program level, at the request of DQI or OPWDD leadership.
• May be expected to participate in both on and off-site work assignments.

*Please note: Office location and schedule may vary and will be discussed at the time of interview. Possible office locations include:

• 44 Holland Ave, Albany
• 500 Balltown Rd, Schenectady
• 25 Beaver St, New York
• 703 E Maple, Newark
• 620 Westfall Rd, Rochester

OPEN COMPETITIVE:

• Program Operations Specialist Trainee 1, NS (equivalent to SG-14): A bachelor's degree in a human services field.
• Program Operations Specialist Trainee 2, NS (equivalent to SG-16): A bachelor's degree in a human services field and one year of experience in a federal or state certified human service program, which must have been in a professional administrative position in which a major duty involved planning, coordinating, monitoring or evaluating a provision of services for people with developmental disabilities. This experience must have included information gathering and analysis.
• Program Operations Specialist 1, SG-18: A bachelor's degree in a human services field and two years of experience in a federal or state certified human service program. One year of this experience must have been in a professional administrative position in which a major duty involved planning, coordinating, monitoring or evaluating a provision of services for people with developmental disabilities. This experience must have included information gathering and analysis.

COMPETITIVE:

• Candidates must be reachable for appointment on the current Civil Service Eligible List or the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) Eligible List for this title.
• Substitution: A Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of specialized experience.
• TRANSFER: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.

55 B/C QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possess the minimum qualifications for this title as established by the Department of Civil Service and listed on the most recent exam announcement.
• Meet the applicable minimal mental and/or physical requirements for the job (with a reasonable accommodation, if necessary).
• Have a current Eligibility Letter from the NYS Department of Civil Service, and be able to provide it to the Human Resources Office upon request.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.

Appointments may also be made at the Program Operations Specialist Trainee levels. Candidates hired at the entry-level title (Program Operations Specialist Trainee 1) may be advanced to the full-performance level (Program Operations Specialist 1) following satisfactory completion of two-years of service.

Salary range listed below encompasses the hiring rate of a Program Operations Specialist Trainee 1 through the job rate of a Program Operations Specialist 1.

• Program Operations Specialist Trainee 1: $53,764*
• Program Operations Specialist Trainee 2: $59,994*
• Program Operations Specialist 1: $66,951* - $85,138*

If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 or 52.6 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.

Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.

All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.

If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit

Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).

If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io to obtain information and RA forms.