Program/Financial Specialist

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Currently there is one vacancy in the Social Services Agency however; because this classification is county-wide, this recruitment will generate an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies.

THE POSITION

Under direction, to provide program planning, technical assistance, review and evaluation functions to direct client service delivery programs where such services are provided by community-based organizations (CBO's), contract service providers and/or County staff; to provide professional financial and administrative services to the unit to which assigned; to act as County liaison with service providers and ensure that program regulations and procedures are followed; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This professional class provides technical programmatic and financial services in a 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;
• The focus of responsibilities is of a dual nature, related both to program implementation and to the provision of financial services to the program or the unit to which assigned.

This class is distinguished from Supervising Program Specialist, which provides supervision to a staff of Program Specialists in addition to providing direct program review and evaluation. It is further distinguished from Program Specialist in that the latter focuses on technical program planning and monitoring without the ancillary financial and administrative responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in the following:

• Self- directed problem solving with the ability to provide program planning, program monitoring, policy and procedure development, technical assistance, grant and financial assistance with a high standard for quality.
• Developing and maintaining effective work relationships with  program managers, community based organizations, contract service providers and internal staff, for the purpose of consulting and providing technical guidance on various programs, grants, funding sources  and also obtain needed information.
• Utilizing economic, financial, market and industry data to understand and drive programs, policies and procedures. 
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, with program managers, community based organizations, contract service providers and staff.
•Identifying and understanding complex problems and concepts, applying logical thinking and quantitative  methods to gathering and analyzing information, making decisions and exercising good judgment based upon available data.
• Consistently maintaining effectiveness even when experiencing changes in work responsibilities, priorities and deadlines and takes prompt action to accomplish objectives; champions program/practice changes instituted by upper management as well as a willingness to identify issues and address them proactively and collaboratively.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to independently prioritize tasks and work on multiple projects simultaneously, while providing status updates on projects upon request. 
• Savvy use of information systems with the ability to create and monitor financial reports and spreadsheets.
• Delivering clear and concise presentations and training sessions suited to the diverse audiences in a variety of contexts.
• Interpreting and applying complex regulations in the administration of programs.

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.

(Additional experience as outlined below may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.)

AND
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, grants management or similar financial services.

(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.)

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.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

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.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Budgetary, financial record-keeping and auditing techniques.
• Basic general administrative support practices, including business management.
• Basic principles and practices of contract and grant administration.

Ability to:

• Plan, monitor and evaluate program and service delivery effectiveness in the programmatic area to which assigned.
• Identify administrative, financial and operational problems, investigate and evaluate alternatives and implement effective solutions.
• Provide general financial and administrative services to the program and/or unit to which assigned.
• 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: 1) 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. 2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. 3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises. CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION. 

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

Applicants will be informed via e-mail with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

  

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Deadline for Filing: Review of Minimum Qualifications: Review for Best Qualified: Oral Interviews:	5:00 pm, Wednesday, November 12, 2014  November 26, 2014 December 05, 2014 *December 15 and 17, 2014
	*Updated 12/04/2014

 *WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN*

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statues.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statues.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

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.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

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.

Sylvia Perez, Human Resources Analyst I
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
510-208-9593 
Sylvia.Perez@acgov.org