HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST 22271

05/01/92 B

This is the first class in the Human Services Program Specialist series. Positions in this class provide professional program support and consultation to agencies serving clients in a variety of state and/or locally administered Human Services programs. Positions in this class provide technical and consultative assistance and advice which enhances the development, promulgation and implementation of policies and procedures needed to deliver specialized services related to program operations, administration, training, research and evaluation, planning, development, and quality assurance. The thrust of this advice and assistance is mostly pragmatic and focuses on the operational requirements of a specific specialty program with emphasis on immediate solutions and results and the development and achievement of short-term plans and objectives. Advice and consultation is given to service providers who have direct contact with clients. The Human Services Program Support Specialist is distinguished from the Human Services Program Coordinator by the latter's responsi-bility for developing and implementing new approaches to service delivery which generally involves more complex coordination, negotiation, modification, expansion, or reduction of programs or services in a broad range of operation.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty related to the identification and delineation of the client service program delivery system needed to keep human services programs operating effectively and efficiently on a day-to-day basis, ensuring that services reach the targeted population. The work typically involves drafting policy statements and procedures based upon analysis of laws, rules, regu-lations, and reports; recommending professionally accepted approaches to maximize service delivery through internal and external linkages; responding to inquiries from clients, citizens, and public officials; analyzing state and federal legislation to determine impact of program changes; developing manual materials reflecting recom-mendations; and assessing the effectiveness of policies and projecting future requirements. Positions in this class may represent the agency on task forces and committees, provide assistance in the program planning process, analyze the financial impact of certain decisions or recommendations, and may conduct special studies on specific aspects of assigned or closely related programs.

Supervision Given: Supervision typically is not a factor; however, positions may provide work direction to office services, administrative support or paraprofessional staff.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from a Human Services Supervisor, Manager, or Director, or other agency program manager.

Scope: Incumbents typically are assigned to a human services program of limited scope within a designated program area; or have responsibility for a segment of a complex program.

Impact of Actions: The work affects the availability and utilization of resources and services delivered to clients in the area of assignment.

Personal Contacts: Incumbents have frequent internal and external contact with management and staff in the various agencies and jurisdictions in which they work, and with a variety of non-governmental entities for the purpose of exchanging information, developing plans, or coordinating activities related to the assigned specialty area or program.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of human service programs for the assigned area and the resources, programs, and logistics needed to deliver services to clients; and of federal, state, and local government systems that provide, mandate, and/or fund human service programs.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to provide general technical assistance to service providers; to interpret laws, rules, regulations and guidelines and to assess the degree of compliance; to analyze information and form sound conclusions and communicate findings and recommendations both orally and in writing; and to conduct research or studies independently, to solve non-routine problems, and to design programs to meet stated service delivery goals and objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in psychology, education, social work, rehabilitation, counseling, hospital administration, or a related field.

Level and Type of Training: Some professional service delivery experience in a human service program which included assisting with program development, providing technical assistance, and monitoring program compliance.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised and retitled as a result of a Classification Review/Specification Update study. It replaces the Human Services Community Program Coordinator and Mental Hygiene Program Assistant Director classes, effective May 1992.