Program Specialist (Homeless)

--- PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN ---

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXISTING EXAMINATION.

IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY APPLIED FOR PROGRAM SPECIALIST (HOMELESS) PROJECT

(15-0305-15)  READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN FOR INSTRUCTIONS

ON HOW TO REAPPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.

The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you are currently on the list and you choose to reapply you will forfeit your current rank and score. Your new score/disposition will replace your current score and rank. In order to reapply for this position, please contact the examination analyst at Monique.hill@acgov.org to have your previous application released back to you.

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will be merged with the scores from the previous list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. 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. Postmarks are not accepted. Applications will only be accepted on-line.  .

Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires 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.

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.

 

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Alameda County Public Health Department has worked for over 80 years to improve the health and safety of its residents and the neighborhoods they live in. Traditional public health concerns such as disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and access to health care have been joined by contemporary concerns: bioterrorism, crime, violence, and substance abuse. Each of these poses a threat to public health and wellness and calls for short and long-term solutions that lie well outside traditional public health boundaries.  For more information about our Alameda County Public Health Department, please visit the Alameda County Public Health Department Website and latest Annual Budget document found on www.acgov.org

 

THE POSITION

This is a Project position (not to exceed 5 years) located in the Public Health Department's Health Care for the Homeless Program. Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless Program (ACHCHP) is a federally-funded Health Care for the Homeless program that has been providing health care and enabling services to persons experiencing homelessness throughout Alameda County since 1988.  In 2014, ACHCHP provided services to over 8,500 people experiencing homelessness.

Home Stretch is a countywide collaboration focused on linking homeless individuals with disabilities to appropriate supportive services and permanent supportive housing based on established local priorities and preferences.  Home Stretch will maintain a countywide registry of homeless individuals with disabilities that will be used to prioritize and coordinate access to services and housing.  The program is part of a larger effort to end homelessness in Alameda County.  The incumbent will serve as a County liaison with service providers and funding sources and ensure that program regulations and procedures are followed.

Under direction of the Home Stretch Program Coordinator, the incumbent will provide program planning, coordination, training/technical assistance, and review and evaluation functions for Home Stretch outreach entities, housing navigators, and SSI advocates throughout Alameda County.

 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to the minimum qualifications and knowledge and skills listed below, ideal candidates for this position will possess technical knowledge related to health care services, homelessness, and permanent supportive housing;  specific knowledge related to Medicaid (Medi-Cal) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding sources relevant to serving homeless individuals; and expertise in program development and implementation.

Ideal candidates will also exemplify the following critical attributes for success:

• An effective communicator who clearly conveys information and ideas verbally and in writing to individuals or groups in a manner that meets audience needs and helps them understand and retain the message;
• Effective coordination among community based organizations and other service providers; County departments; and State or other funding sources involved in Home Stretch;
• A collaborative spirit who can effectively work on a diverse team and who believes in and inspires teamwork by being accessible, supportive, open-minded, empathetic and able to effectively manage conflict by building and maintaining constructive relationships that result in diverse work teams that better serve our diverse communities;
• Someone who possesses an air of confidence and creates good first impressions by professionally commanding attention and earning the trust and respect of others;
• Well organized and able to plan and establish a course of action for self and others to ensure that the work of Home Stretch is completed efficiently.

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, 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.)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT: This position requires that applicants have at least two years providing services to vulnerable populations (homeless or indigent).

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.

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:

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. Only the most suitably qualified candidates will move forward in the exam 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.

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. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of 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 (Employer Credit)
• 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 Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Group Legal
• 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.