Program Specialist (Substance Use Disorder/Criminal Justice)

HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well being of Alameda County residents. 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES  

It is the mission of Behavioral Health Care Services to maximize the recovery, resilience and wellness of all eligible Alameda County residents who are developing or experiencing serious mental health, alcohol, or drug concerns. We envision communities where people realize their potential, and where stigma and discrimination against those with mental health, alcohol and/or drug issues are a thing of the past.  For more information about the department of Behavioral Health Care Services, please visit the departmental website and/or Annual Budget Document found on acgov.org.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER & CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS

These programs provide a range of services targeted to help make a difference in the lives of persons with substance use conditions within the criminal justice system.  They include Bay Area Services Network, AB109, MOMS, Drug Court and DUI Programs.  Through multi-disciplinary staff interaction with court systems, parole, probation, public defender, sheriffs, and the substance use system of care, these programs rely on a collaborative effort with community service providers to help individuals successfully recover and reintegrate back into their communities.

THE POSITION

Under direction, Program Specialists with a Substance Use Disorder/Criminal Justice Specialty provide program planning, technical assistance, review and evaluation functions to various substance use disorder and criminal justice behavioral health programs provided by community-based organizations (CBO's), contract service providers and/or County staff; act as County liaisons with service providers and funding sources, and ensure that program regulations and procedures are followed; and perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This professional-level class provides technical programmatic services in a wide variety of client service areas; however, all positions are typically characterized by the following elements:

• The need for technical knowledge in the service delivery area to which assigned;
• The fact that client services are provided by CBO's, other contract providers and/or County staff; and
• The focus of responsibilities being related to program development and implementation, rather than to the provision of administrative or support to County departments.

This class is distinguished from Senior Program Specialist, which provides work direction or supervision to a support staff in addition to providing direct program review and evaluation. It is further distinguished from Program/Financial Specialist in that the latter has financial service responsibilities in addition to technical program responsibilities.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to the minimum qualifications and knowledge and skills listed below, ideal candidates for this position will be well prepared for advancement as a substance use disorder and criminal justice technical expert, possessing considerable experience managing and coordinating a variety of substance use disorder programs for adults involved in the behavioral health and criminal justice system; will be able to effectively plan, organize, and lead program development, administration and evaluation; and will interact well with others to earn their trust within an environment that embraces diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, and backgrounds. This position is most suitable for an experienced, well organized leader who welcomes the challenge of managing and enhancing multiple alcohol and drug treatment programs provided by a multidisciplinary team of professionals in a diverse setting where the work is challenging, stimulating, rewarding, and never dull! 

The ideal candidate for this position will also have a track record of success managing various substance use disorder programs including those specifically for adults involved in a criminal justice system and will be highly respected as: 

• A substance use disorder expert, technically adept with a considerable amount of professional knowledge and experience treating clients with substance use disorders including those involved in the criminal justice system; and who strives to keep up with developments and trends in the field. 
• A seasoned program manager experienced in the design, implementation, management and evaluation of substance use disorder programs; and can manage the related resources, personnel and activities in order to optimize organizational and program performance.
• Someone who will take personal satisfaction and pride contributing as program manager and technical expert focused on program development, implementation, and evaluation of multiple substance use disorder programs including those linked to the criminal justice system.   
• A collaborative strategic partner who is able to build strong ties to community resources and who is capable of identifying opportunities and taking action to build strong relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations.
• Someone who is flexible and adept at managing effectiveness of self and others when experiencing and leading change within new structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• A practiced problem solver with good judgment capable of thinking logically, taking initiative and reacting calmly under pressure in order to arrive at sound conclusions, make well supported decisions and take appropriate action.  
• A strong coordinator with exceptional organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to plan and organize work for self and others in order to ensure that work is completed efficiently and in a timely manner.
• Someone capable of making a positive impact on others by exuding an air of confidence, creating good first impressions, professionally commanding attention, and earning professional trust and respect of others.  
• An effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills focused on building an environment where diverse, multidisciplinary service delivery teams can work together to enhance the delivery of BHCS for Alameda County communities.     

For a detailed listing of the duties and essential competency requirements for this position, please see the complete Program Specialist  job description.   

The minimum professional requirements for admission to the competitive assessment process include all of the following:

Education: The equivalent to graduation from an accredited four year college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) with major coursework in business or public administration, a social science or a field related to the program area to which assigned.

*Substitution: Additional experience as outlined below may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

Experience:  The equivalent to three years of full-time professional-level or supervisory work in the direct delivery of services to clients or the oversight of such services in the program area to which assigned, one year of which must have included program planning and evaluation, or in program administration, contract negotiations, grants management and similar financial services.

* Substitution: Possession of a Master’s degree in business, public administration, social science or a related field to the program area to which assigned from an accredited college or university, may be substituted for two years of the required experience. 

Substance Use Disorder/Criminal Justice Specialty Designation:  Positions designated with a Substance Use Disorder/Criminal Justice specialty require possession of the minimum experience requirement to focus specifically on clients with substance use disorders including those involved in the criminal justice system. 

Licenses:  Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license. Specified positions may also require licensure or certification in the programmatic area to which assigned.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of: 

• Principles, practices, funding sources and administrative requirements in the program area to which assigned.
• Principles and practices of program planning and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of direct client service delivery.
• Practices and techniques of programmatic analysis and report preparation.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Basic budgetary and financial record-keeping techniques.

Ability to:

• Plan, monitor and evaluate program and service delivery effectiveness in the programmatic area to which assigned.
• Identify programmatic and operational problems, investigate and evaluate alternatives and implement effective solutions. 
• Interpret, explain and apply complex regulations, policies and procedures.
• Prepare clear, accurate and effective reports, correspondence, policies, informational brochures and other written materials.
• Represent the department and the County in meetings with others and make effective presentations to diverse groups. 
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:  A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process which is a Best Qualification screening  (which is qualifying only) to determine who is amongst the most suitably qualified candidates.  Only those candidates evaluated as the best and most suitably qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process, a panel interview which may contain situational exercises and will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score.  Meeting the minimum qualifications for the position does not guarantee advancement to the panel interview process; only the most suitably and best qualified candidates will be invited to participate. 

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

Alameda County utilizes a panel of subject matter experts to evaluate candidates’ job related competencies and suitability for the position. The primary objectives of this process are to: acquaint interviewer and candidate; learn more about the candidate’s background and experience as it relates to the job; and help the candidate understand the position and organization.  Most panel interviews will be comprised of subject matter experts within the organization, which may include supervisors and managers from the hiring department; other interviews may be comprised of experts from outside of the organization.  In cases where the hiring manager participates in the interview process, the department may choose to hire directly from the established eligible list and may choose not to have additional departmental interviews.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION. 

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.   

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Represented management employees are entitled up to three additional days of management paid leave. Unrepresented management employees are entitled up to seven days of management paid

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email.  Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use.  If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you.  All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account.  You  will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the “My applications” button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied.  The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.    

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system.  Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox.  If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs.  You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Robin Young, Human Resources Analyst II

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

510-272-6393

Robin.Young@acgov.org