Program Operations Specialist 1/Trainee

Program Operations Specialist 1

This staff person will be a part of the Bureau of Assessment, Oversight and Coordination (BAOC) within the Division of Statewide Services. The Program Operations Specialist 1 (POS 1) will work with the BAOC, the Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Management (QM) team and the Statewide Assessment Operations workforce. The position will include quality review of Assessors administering the assessment tools, investigation, quality review and presentation of concerns/complaints about completed assessments, engaging with stakeholders to provide education and support, assistance with IT development and evolution of existing systems, oversight of contract vendors activities, and providing general support to bureau leadership and the OPWDD as a subject matter expert. The POS 1 position will report to the Licensed Master Social Work Supervisor (LMSW) for the Assessment Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Management (QM) team. The incumbent of this position will need to successfully complete all identified assessment trainings and carry an assessor case load meeting productivity standards for up to 1 year.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide subject matter expertise for the development and continued implementation of both assessment and quality assurance/quality management programs.
• Compiling and analyzing assessment and QM/QA data for timely reporting to committee and leadership.
• Navigate multiple systems to complete priority reviews and Field Observations within established time frames.
• Participate and present in all standing Concerns Review Committee meetings to provide subject matter expertise for review of documentation and clinical summaries.
• Provide oversight and complete tracking for all correspondence and concerns cases.
• Participate in QA/QM "Community of Practice", share information and give feedback and guidance.
• Support activities of QM/QA and state and vendor operations teams.
• Support training for new assessors and act as a peer support to other QM/QA team members including continued development of the training curriculum.
• Report issues to the LMSW or Social Work Supervisor, as appropriate.
• Provide communication, informational updates and in-person training to State Offices, contract vendor and field staff as needed
• Coordinate and support public presentations with stakeholders and provide a perspective on stakeholder inquires.
• Help facilitate and act as a liaison with the state assessment team for quality oversight activities and address any issues that may arise.
• Maintain and complete QM/QA related program activities, timelines and deliverables as identified by Central Office.
• Complete all required documentation accurately utilizing the technology provided.
• Utilize flexible scheduling, including travel and evening, and weekend hours as necessary.
• Manage multiple priorities effectively, including prioritizing work plans and work assignments and meeting deadlines.
• Fulfill training and certification requirements prior to the utilization of the assessment and/or review tools, on an ongoing basis.
• Provide support and coverage for other POS 1 team members as needed.

At least one year of experience working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities or other developmental disabilities AND Is either a registered nurse or a human services professional possessing at least a bachelor's degree in a human services field, including but not limited to sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling or psychology.

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.

To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website

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: $60,333*
• Program Operations Specialist Trainee 2: $66,844*
• Program Operations Specialist 1: $74,114-$93,120*

*Amounts include Downstate adjustment ($4,150).

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 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.

The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies.

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.

Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.

Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.

Access to the Employee Assistance Program (