Senior Program Specialist

Senior Program Specialist

Hiring range: $74,214 to $103,896 ($35.68 to $49.95 per hour). Starting rate will depend on experience, education, and qualifications. Advancement opportunities exist for individuals motivated to move up within Anoka County. Come join our team at Anoka County where you can serve your community while enjoying the benefits of work-life balance! This includes 24 days paid of flexible time off and up to 12.5 holidays your first year. In order to be considered for this position, information to support your answers must be included in your application. A resume attachment is optional and cannot be used in place of this application. Applications must be received by the closing deadline of 11:59pm on 08/12/2026 in order to be considered.

The Anoka County Job Training Center's mission is to contribute to the success of individuals and employers through workforce development services. We are seeking a Senior Program Specialist to build and maintain strategic partnerships, lead coordination and implementation for complex grants and projects, achieve program outcomes, and track grant compliance. This role conducts funding research, prepares grant submissions, leads community outreach, and contributes to program planning efforts. The Specialist analyzes data to identify service gaps, recommends improvements, and supports staff while ensuring effective, integrated service delivery.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in workforce development and experience leading teams to achieve organizational objectives.

This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position. Interviews will take place the week of August 17th, 2026 for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Pay & Benefits

• Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 34: $74,214 to $103,896 ($35.68 to $49.95 per hour).
• 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more.
• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
• Advancement/professional development opportunities.

Work Location

• This position will work at Blaine Human Service Center, located at 1201 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434.
• This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work, with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.
• This position will include periodic work within the community for events and partner coordination.
• Expected work hours are Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

Job Duties and Responsibilities These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Senior Program Specialist.

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with local, regional and state entities along with community-based organizations, education institutions, resource partners, and the business community.
• Develop, implement and lead service coordination plans for complex grant programs and special projects.
• Determine goals and activities for assigned program and project and monitor progress toward outcomes
• Prepare reports, maintain records, and track compliance requirements in accordance with local, state and federal rules and regulations.
• Research funding opportunities at the local, state, federal and foundation level for programs and services. Review requests for proposals and provide recommendations for opportunities.
• Prepare and write grant submissions, including work plans and tracking the grant submission process and workflow.
• Manage outreach and community engagement including orientation and information sessions and community events. Coordinate volunteer programs and community groups.
• Participate in planning committees and strategic planning groups initiated by Anoka County and provide recommendations for service needs and integrated coordination.
• Maintain and review project files. Develop reports, analyze data and outcomes and provide program and service recommendations.
• Research strategies for program improvement and identify service gaps. Recommend best practices to be considered by Anoka County.
• May provide intensive career planning and project navigation services.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and oversight to assigned project staff on processes, systems, and program requirements.
• Coordinate service delivery in partnership with leaders of service teams.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Requires a bachelor's degree and at least 4 years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Successfully pass driver's license background check.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Experience working with county, state, and federally funded workforce programs.
• Use of labor market and economic trends.
• Experience with starting new programs, improving programs and/or expanding programs.
• Service delivery supporting diverse communities and program partners.
• Strong ability to analyze, solve problems and make recommendations for service improvements.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship building skills.
• Working understanding of tracking grant funds and allowable expenses.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Standard office environment, travel to various county work sites and meetings as needed.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades and brightness.
• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.
• Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required to perform job responsibilities.
• Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work.
• Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs.
• Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment.
• Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Selection Process

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, Anoka County thrives because of the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. United by our mission- Commitment to Excellence: Through collaborative efforts, we seek to improve lives and serve with care, integrity, and professionalism- we offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences. Together, we work toward a single purpose of serving Anoka County's 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Hear from other Anoka County employees here.

Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.

If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4