Program Operations Specialist 1

Program Operations Specialist 1

Working under the Program Operations Specialist 2, the Program Operations Specialist 1 is responsible for coordination, implementation, data collection, process support, routine field observations, logistics, and staff support. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assist with the planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of peer-to-peer workforce initiatives focused on cultural competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion, Active Bystander and Abuse Prevention, and other topics focused on improving staff morale, collaboration and ability to effectively navigate day to day complexities of human service work.
• Under the established framework and standards, regularly participate in the delivery of in-person, peer led workshop sessions with training teams.
• Provide routine feedback to ensure quality and adherence to program standards.
• Assist with the State Operations implementation of statewide initiatives, including supporting the logistics and coordination of statewide training events.
• Provide technical support and basic coaching to peer leads under guidance from senior staff.
• Conduct routine audits/observations of peer-led sessions to assess staff competency and document whether standards, expectations, and fidelity measures are met.
• Routinely travel within assigned geographic areas to observe and evaluate the effectiveness of Peer-to-Peer and other specialized initiatives.
• Collect information and data for reporting related to OPWDD's Peer-to-Peer initiatives and other specialized efforts.
• Maintain trackers and databases to document activities, participation, and outcomes across regions.
• Assist with standardizing workflow processes for staff statewide.
• Perform coordination, tracking, and planning tasks related to peer-led initiatives and regional teams.
• Support integration of other cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity and inclusion resources available at OPWDD along with Division of State Operations resources.
• Support the preparation and delivery of presentations related to unit activities, progress toward goals, and accomplishments.
• Support the development of programming to enhance employees' cultural awareness and general preparedness.
• Assist with providing agency leadership with updates on Peer-to-Peer initiatives through supporting materials for quarterly or annual reports.

Positions may be located at any of the below locations:

• 620 Westfall Road, Rochester
• 249 Glenwood Road, Binghamton
• 100 Fayette Street, Syracuse
• 44 Holland Avenue, Albany
• 500 Balltown Road, Schenectady
• 9 Wilbur Rd, Thiells
• 25 Beaver Street, New York
• 750 Vandalia Ave, Brooklyn
• 1150 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island
• 80-45 Winchester Blvd, Queens Village
• 415 A Oser Avenue, Hauppauge

* Telecommuting to be discussed at interview.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience implementing DEI related initiatives, training front-line human service professionals and clinicians, and/or abuse prevention initiatives.
• Preferred candidates will have degrees, and/or a clinical license in a mental health field such as social work, psychology, or mental health counseling.

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.
• Substitution: A Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of specialized experience.

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.

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: $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.

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 accommodationrequests