Program Operations Specialist 1/Trainee

NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities seeks a Program Operations Specialist 1 to support BAOC in training, data reporting, and contract management. You will assist with QA reviews of assessors, data metrics, and IT system evolution, coordinating with cross-unit teams statewide.

Responsibilities include preparing reports, training staff, communicating updates to state offices and vendors, and ensuring data privacy.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a human service-related field and minimum of two (2) years' experience working with people who have Developmental Disabilities.
• Display strong writing, verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Possess the ability to work independently.
• Have a working knowledge of and be proficient in the use of a computer.
• Possession of a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Report issues to the POS2 Supervisor, as appropriate.
• Compile and analyze assessment and QA/QM data for reporting to committee and leadership and reviewing data metrics related to assessment rates.
• Support oversight of contract management, including vendor deliverables, performance, information needs, and quality indicators.
• Assist with development of data and reports that support the continued implementation of assessment and QA/QM programs.
• Provide communication, informational updates and in-person training to State Offices, contract vendor and field staff as needed.
• Liaison with Developmental Disability Regional Office Front Door leads to resolve individual electronic health record issues.
• Coordinate OPWDD IT system, Tracking and Billing System (TABS)/CHOICES, updates for assessment operations, QA/QM.
• Receive and process assessor staff changes in accordance with privacy and security agreements.
• Navigate multiple systems for assigning priority assessments to State assessors.
• Perform other duties assigned by your supervisor to meet and support the needs of the Division.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Independent work

Computer literacy

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Tools

TABS/CHOICES IT system

Job description

Duties Description

The Program Operations Specialist 1 will work as a member of the Bureau of Assessment Oversight and Coordination (BAOC) Training, Data Reporting, & Contract Management Team, and in collaboration across BAOC with the Assessment and Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Management (QM) and Statewide Assessment Operations units. The Program Operations Specialist 1 will assist with performing a variety of tasks that support the 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, assist with IT development and evolution of existing systems. The role of reviewing data and developing metrics related to assessment rates, oversight of contract vendors activities, and providing general support to bureau leadership.

The candidate will assist in performing a wide variety of tasks to maintain efficient workflow with the BAOC Operations across the state, support processes necessary for next steps with assessment implementation, assist with IT development and evolution of existing systems, provide oversight of contract vendors, and provide general support to bureau leadership and OPWDD. The Program Operations Specialist 1 role is critical to OPWDD successfully achieving the implementation of the CAS and meeting its Transformation Agreement goals.

• Report issues to the POS2 Supervisor, as appropriate;
• Compile and analyze assessment and Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Management (QM) data for reporting to committee and leadership and reviewing data metrics related to assessment rates;
• Support oversight of contract management, including vendor (and subcontractor(s)) deliverables, performance, information needs, and quality indicators;
• Assist with development of both data and reports that support the continued implementation of both assessment and quality assurance/quality management programs;
• Provide communication, informational updates and in-person training to State Offices, contract vendor and field staff as needed;
• Liaison with Developmental Disability Regional Office Front Door leads to resolve individual electronic health record issues.
• Coordinate OPWDD IT system, Tracking and Billing System (TABS)/CHOICES, updates for assessment operations, QA/QM.
• Receive and process assessor staff changes in accordance with privacy and security agreements.
• Navigate multiple systems for assigning priority assessments to State assessors.
• Perform other duties assigned by your supervisor to meet and support the needs of the Division.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nys-office-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/posts/?feedView=all

Minimum Qualifications

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree in a human service-related field (i.e., Social work, psychology, etc.) and minimum of two (2) years' experience working with people who have Developmental Disabilities.
• Display strong writing, verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Possess the ability to work independently.
• Have a working knowledge of and be proficient in the use of a computer.
• Possession of a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State is preferred.

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 https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/index.cfm.

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, www.cs.ny.gov/rp55/, and be able to provide it to the Human Resources Office upon request.

Additional Comments

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: $56,183*
• Program Operations Specialist Trainee 2: $62,694*
• Program Operations Specialist 1: $69,964* - $88,970*
• 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 www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.
• 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 [phone] or email [e-mail] 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 (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
• Paid Holidays and Leave:

• Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
• Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
• Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.

Health Care Coverage

Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.

Paid Parental Leave

Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.

Retirement Program

Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.

Professional Development and Education and Training

NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.

• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.

OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply***