Program Specialist

Ramsey County; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ramsey County’s Social Services Administrative Division is hiring two Program Specialist positions. The roles support department operations, credentialing coordination, licensure recordkeeping, and program revalidations, ensuring compliance with billing and licensing standards across multiple service areas.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, collaborative, and committed to high-quality social service delivery through strong administrative and compliance practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• Five years of experience in programs or services related to the department to which assignment will be made, including two years in a field appropriate to the project to which appointment will be made.
• Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Certifications/Licensure: None.
• The examination process will consist of a Training and Experience Rating weighted at 100%.
• Veteran's Preference points apply after passing the examination process.
• Criminal Background Checks required; convictions not an automatic bar and each case evaluated on its merits.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of a specified program or project providing services to clients, participants, or employees within the department.
• Coordinate and collaborate with department staff and with the community, providers, state and regional municipalities, and federal authorities to meet program goals.
• Develop and maintain the program team priorities and work goals to achieve desired results.
• Identify workflow changes and work with managers to implement improvements.
• Prepare reports and maintain records on program goals, achievements, methods, utilization and challenges.
• Coordinate educational activities for service providers, community groups and organizations affected by the program.
• Monitor, analyze and evaluate project effectiveness and cost-efficiency.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Collaborative

Credentialing coordination

Licensure management

Program revalidations

Billing compliance

Licensing standards

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

This vacancy is with the Social Services department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department.

We are currently hiring for two Program Specialist positions within the Social Services Administrative Division. These roles play a vital part in supporting the entire department by ensuring that essential operational and program requirements are met. Key responsibilities include coordinating and confirming staff credentialing, maintaining licensure records, managing program revalidations, and helping ensure compliance with billing and licensing standards across multiple service areas.

Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented, collaborative, and committed to supporting high-quality social service delivery through strong administrative and compliance practices. These positions provide an opportunity to contribute to efficient, accountable systems that help our teams serve the community effectively.

To coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of a specified program or project which provides services to clients/participants or employees of the Department to which assigned; and to perform related duties as assigned.

Flexible Workplace: This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy.

1. Promote a diverse, culturally competent and respectful workplace.
2. Develop implementation plans, program plans, or performance plans including projections of resource needs for various programs or projects including community-based programming within the department as assigned.
3. Identify areas that need improvement and support the development of system modification and/or the development of new services.
4. Survey, study, and analyze existing resources to achieve maximum effectiveness.
5. Coordinate and collaborate with department staff (including other Ramsey County departments) and with the community, providers, state and regional municipalities, and federal authorities to meet program or project goals.
6. Develop and maintain the program or project team priorities and work goals to achieve desired results.
7. Identify needed changes in workflow and procedures and work with managers and supervisors to implement changes.
8. Prepare reports and maintain records on program or project goals, achievements, methods, utilization, and challenges.
9. Coordinate educational activities for service providers, concerned community groups and organizations affected by the program or project.
10. Monitor, analyze, and evaluate the effectiveness of projects or programs including resources to ensure that services are provided in a cost-effective manner.
11. Plan, conduct, identify, and/or coordinate training on topics related to the program or project for staff (including volunteers and interns), community provider agencies and clients/participants; implement orientation and recruiting goals in order to maximize program or project effectiveness.
12. Assist in the creation of request for proposals, contracts and Board documentation related to the department project or program, as assigned.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience: Five years of experience in programs or services related to the department to which assignment will be made, including two years in a field appropriate to the project to which appointment will be made.

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:

• Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Program Specialist will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Program Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the eligible list for 30 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.

Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use in the I‑9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact: [e-mail]