PROGRAM SPECIALIST III, IV, V, VI

State of Hawaiʻi; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 57,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health on Oahu seeks program specialist professionals to assist higher-level staff with studies and analyses of programs or projects. Responsibilities include monitoring operations, QA work, and advisory services to line staff.

Successful candidates will interpret laws and agency policies and work independently under supervision. Positions span levels III–VI, with growth through complex development and evaluation tasks, and a strong emphasis on compliance with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• 1.5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience with analytical skills.
• Experience related to monitoring, evaluation, or development of program standards helpful.

Responsibilities

• Conduct studies and analyses of programs or projects to develop or revise standards.
• Monitor program operations and assist in quality assurance activities.
• Provide technical advice and interpret State and federal laws, rules and policies.
• Provide advisory services to line staff and coordinate with managers as needed.

Skills

Analytical skills

Advisory services

Policy interpretation

Quality assurance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Recruitment Information

Please be advised that 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, Department of Health

The position is located on the Island of OAHU

Salary

Level III $5,107 - $6,221 per month (SR-20, Step D to I)

Level IV $5,527 - $6,728 per month (SR-22, Step D to I)

Level V $6,221 - $7,568 per month (SR-24, Step D to I)

Level VI $6,728 - $8,187 per month (SR-26, Step D to I)

The State Recruiting Office will refer all inquiries regarding this civil service recruitment to the Department of Health.

Duties Summary

Program Specialist III assist 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 V are typically reflective of three general types: 1) A program specialist that supervises a staff of program specialists performing program planning and development work, and in addition, may participate in the performance of various program planning and development activities in support of an agency’s program; 2) A program specialist located at the departmental or division level, with responsibility for all of the program planning, development, and implementation activities for one or more major components of the agency’s overall program. Such responsibility has a major impact on the program’s operations and services and includes, but is not limited to, being cognizant of changes to State and federal laws, legislation, policies, etc.; evaluating their impact on program goals and priorities, and resolving any issues or problems; anticipating and determining the need and making recommendations for review and development of new or revised plans, goals and objectives; ensuring that the coordination and implementation of new or revised program plans, policies, functions, work processes, etc., are properly and efficiently executed; and providing advice and consultation to managers, supervisors and others. Technical determinations are not normally questioned and the specialist is given considerable authority to coordinate work activities with federal and other State and private agencies in the planning and development of new or improved plans, policies, standards, operations, etc.; 3) A program specialist located at the departmental or division level, performing the most complex, extensive, and intensive program development, implementation, and evaluation assignments. The intensity of the agency’s program is such that it requires the constant development of new or revised programs and plans, policies and standards, etc., to meet constantly changing federal requirements, legislative mandates, or consumer needs. The assignments are highly developmental, and involve solving unprecedented issues or controversial problems, or developing new concepts or methodologies that impact the entire agency’s operations, goals and objectives, or provision of services. Considerable resourcefulness and creativity are required in the development of new programs and services, and recommendations carry considerable weight.

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

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):

• 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 V):

• 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):

• 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

Recruitment deadline is continuous.

Your Job Benefits With The State Of Hawai’i

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

You may earn vacation leave at a rate that other employers find tough to match - 21 days each full year from the FIRST year of employment. This compares to an average of 10 days offered by private companies. You may accumulate up to a total of 90 days (720 hours) of vacation.

Paid Sick Leave

You may earn sick leave at the same rate as vacation - 21 days per year from the FIRST year, and there is no limit on the amount you can accumulate. Expectant mothers may also use sick leave for pre-natal or post-natal check-ups or any illness related to pregnancy. Plus, unused accumulated sick leave may eventually be used to increase your retirement benefits in certain situations.

Other Leaves

Reasonable time off with pay may be provided for jury or witness duty, a death in the family, some military duty, and donation to the Blood Bank. Leave sharing donations may be granted to eligible employees who have serious personal illnesses or injuries or need to care for a seriously ill or injured family member. Various leaves without pay may also be granted with full re-employment rights.

Health Insurance

The State pays a part of the premiums for each employee’s enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Dental Plan. For more information, visit the Employer Union Trust Fund website www.eutf.hawaii.gov for coverage and options.

Group Life Insurance

The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees.

Retirement Plan

The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees under the Hybrid Plan with 10 years of credited service and who have reached 65 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and have reached 60 years of age may retire and receive benefits. To find out more about the options you have, go to http://ers.ehawaii.gov.

Premium Conversion Plan

Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.

Transportation Benefits

Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct qualified transportation expenses (i.e. eligible parking fees, monthly bus passes for TheBus, fare coupons for The Handi-Van, Vanpool Hawaii participation fee, etc.) through pre-tax payroll deductions.

Deferred Compensation

The State offers employees a voluntary pre-tax retirement savings plan designed to give employees a tax break today and an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several types of investment options are available.

Temporary Disability Insurance

Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.

Social Security

As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee’s social security account.

Promotions & Transfers

For employees with membership in the civil service, the State offers promotion and transfer opportunities throughout the State Executive Branch.

Training & Continuing Education

The State supports developmental activities related to an employee’s work. In many departments there are numerous in-service training opportunities available. Sabbatical leaves with pay are available for qualified employees.

Travel