PROGRAM SPECIALIST III, IV, VI

Job Title

Recruitment Information

The hiring process for this position is part of the Department of Health's Hiring Innovation for Rapid Employment (HIRE) Pilot Project. The Pilot Project will defer the traditional screening of applications for minimum qualifications until after a selection has been made. Therefore, the referral of an application to the hiring manager and the opportunity to interview for the position do not indicate that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position, nor do they guarantee employment. If selected for the role, a comprehensive review of the application packet will occur to ensure that the minimum qualifications are met. If the selectee is deemed qualified, a conditional offer will be issued.

This posting is for the State of Hawaii. The position is located on the Island of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui.

Duties Summary

Program Specialist III assists a higher-level specialist(s) by performing assignments of limited scope and complexity. Such assignments include, but are not limited to, conducting studies and analyses of projects of limited scope, or segments of larger studies or projects; participating in the monitoring or review of program operations for the purpose of assisting in program evaluation or quality assurance activities; or participating in technical consultation activities by explaining State and federal laws, agency rules and regulations to staff in the operating program(s). Positions may also participate in one or more administrative and staff support activities such as budget formulation, grants or contracts management, staff development, development of legislation, and provision of advisory services to line staff and others on new or revised techniques, processes and procedures, policy interpretation, etc. Work is performed independently, under the general supervision of a higher-level specialist or program supervisor. Completed work is in the form of recommendations and is reviewed for consistency with State and federal requirements. Difficult, unprecedented and controversial issues are referred to the supervisor for discussion and guidance. Positions may also perform work of the next higher level under closer supervision and direction.

Program Specialist IV performs the full range of program planning and development activities, in support of an agency's program. The work of positions in this class ranges from assignments of moderate complexity, such as the routine review of program operations to ensure that program objectives are being met, to the highly complex assignments of the next higher level. However, the primary work of positions in this class regularly involves complex assignments such as the development of new policies or standards that impact the agency and the interrelationships of its programs, and the development of comprehensive reports of findings and conclusions. Some positions may supervise lower-level program specialists and/or other workers. At this level, positions are usually responsible for one or more administrative and staff support activities such as budget formulation, grants or contracts management, staff development, development of legislation, provision of advisory services to line staff and others on new or revised techniques, processes and procedures, policy interpretation, etc. Work is performed independently, under general supervision of a higher-level specialist or program supervisor. Completed work products that may serve as precedents are given closer supervisory review. The specialist is responsible for seeking supervisory guidance as needed.

Program Specialist VI are supervisors of program development and/or evaluation services of such size and scope as to require a staff of program specialists with at least one specialist performing work comparable to the Program Specialist V level, and which may include subordinate supervisors.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements. Please note that unless specifically indicated, the required education and experience may not be gained concurrently. In addition, qualifying work experience is credited based on a 40-hour workweek.

Education Requirement: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor's degree.

General Experience Requirement: (Level III-VI) One and one-half (1-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience which required a high degree of analytical skill. Such experience must have involved gathering, evaluating and analyzing facts and other pertinent information required to resolve problems and/or to determine and recommend appropriate courses of action.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

(Level III): None.

(Level IV): One (1) year of progressively responsible professional experience in one or a combination of the following:

• Type 1: Professional work experience in any field which involved work such as monitoring, evaluating, or conducting studies and analyses of programs or projects to make recommendations for the development or revision of standards, policies, procedures, or techniques; gathering and analyzing data to determine conformance with standards and requirements and recommending improvements or developing training materials; and giving technical advice and direction pertaining to program standards, requirements, or techniques.
• Type 2: Professional experience in a pertinent field/program area related to the agency's/program's role, function, operations, and/or program activities which provided knowledge of principles and practices, current issues and concerns of the identified field/program area and State and federal agencies, community, resources and services that interact with and have an impact on the agency's programs and activities.

(Level VI): Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or a combination of the following:

• Type 1: Professional work experience in any field which involved work such as monitoring, evaluating, or conducting studies and analyses of programs or projects to make recommendations for the development or revision of standards, policies, procedures, or techniques; gathering and analyzing data to determine conformance with standards and requirements and recommending improvements or developing training materials; and giving technical advice and direction pertaining to program standards, requirements, or techniques.
• Type 2: Professional experience in a pertinent field/program area related to the agency's/program's role, function, operations, and/or program activities which provided knowledge of principles and practices, current issues and concerns of the identified field/program area and State and federal agencies, community, resources and services that interact with and have an impact on the agency's programs and activities.

Supervisory Aptitude or Experience Requirement:

(Level III): None.

(Level IV-V): Applicant must possess supervisory aptitude. Supervisory aptitude is the demonstration of aptitude or potential for the performance of supervisory duties through successful completion of regular or special assignments which involve some supervisory responsibilities or aspects; by serving as a group or team leader, or in similar work in which opportunities for demonstrating supervisory capabilities exist; by the completion of training courses in supervision accompanied by application of supervisory skills in work assignment; or by favorable appraisals by a supervisor indicating the possession of supervisory potential.

(Level VI): One (1) year supervisory work experience which included: 1) planning, organizing, scheduling, and directing the work of others; 2) assigning and reviewing their work; 3) advising them on difficult work problems; 4) training and developing subordinates; and 5) evaluating their work performance, and disciplining them when necessary.

Driver's License: A valid driver's license is required for some positions at the time of appointment.

SUBSTITUTION ALLOWED: Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of General Experience. Excess Specialized Experience may be substituted for the General Experience on a year-for-year basis.

Selective Certification: Specialized knowledge, skills and abilities may be required to perform the duties of some positions. For such positions, Selective Certification Requirements may be established and certification may be restricted to eligibles who possess the pertinent experience and/or training required to perform the duties of the position.

Who May Apply LEGAL AUTHORIZATION TO WORK REQUIREMENT: The State of Hawaii requires that all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.

Other Information

Complete Application Packet at: Recruitment deadline is continuous.

Your Job Benefits With The State Of Hawaii

The State of Hawaii offers its employees who are members of the civil service a range of benefits. Some benefits are offered as a result of collective bargaining agreements and changes may occur. A summary of these benefits, which is based on full-time employment, is listed below. Note: Benefits for NON-CIVIL SERVICE appointments will be provided by the hiring department at the time of interview. With Civil Service modernization, effective July 1, 2002, employees appointed to temporary positions may also gain membership in the civil service upon satisfactory completion of an initial probation period of at least six months. As a temporary member of the civil service, you will be eligible to apply for promotion and transfer opportunities to permanent as well as other temporary positions. You may also enjoy other rights and benefits afforded to members of the civil service, with the exception of return rights and placement rights associated with a reduction-in-force of a permanent member of the civil service.

Paid Holidays: You may be eligible for 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year.

Paid Vacation: