Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Program/Financial Specialist

Health Care Services Agency

Recruitment #RT-0306-01

Introduction

This is a reinstatement, transfer or voluntary demotion opportunity for current and former regularly appointed employees of Alameda County.

Reinstatement:
Pursuant to Civil Service Rule 1744: On the request of a department head and approval of the Commission, a regularly appointed employee who resigned in good standing may, within three years after the effective date of his/her resignation, be reinstated in a position in the class from which he/she resigned or in a position in another class for which he/she may be eligible as determined by the Commission. Appointments by reinstatement following resignation are subject to the probationary period established for the class. You must have been a classified County employee in the same job code or in a job code at the same salary maximum and left the County in good standing. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Transfer:
You must be a current County classified employee in the same job code or in a job code with the same salary maximum for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Voluntary Demotion:
You must be a current County classified employee in a job code which is at a higher salary maximum than the vacancy for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

DESCRIPTION

THE 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.

THE POSITION

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.

TYPICAL DUTIES

1. Develops and modifies techniques and formats to evaluate pilot or current program effectiveness and to determine the need for program modifications and/or new program development.

2. Researches program alternatives, funding sources, service delivery organizations and other elements for possible program inclusion; evaluates alternatives, prepares reports and makes recommendations.

3. Acts as the programmatic/fiscal between the County and various service providers; provides coordination among community-based organizations and other service providers, County departments, State or other funding sources and community or business organizations; interacts with planning councils and boards; answers questions and provides training and technical assistance as required.

4. Monitors assigned program or programs; ensures programmatic and fiscal compliance with contract provisions and funding source regulations; recommends and facilitates implementation of procedural and operational changes to maximize service delivery and revenue reimbursement.

5. Conducts follow-up monitoring to review and resolve fiscal irregularities and recommends of authorizes disallowing expenditures of service providers; may recommend contract termination.

6. Prepares grant or other funding requests and implementation documentation after award; maintains records and prepares and submits financial reports; answers questions and provides information during monitoring and auditing processes.

7. Makes revenue and expenditure projections related to assigned program areas; participates in the budgeting and claims reimbursement processes; provides information for periodic financial audits.

8. Performs a variety of administrative services such as designing and preparing requests for proposal, providing staff assistance and support to committees, commissions and/or policy/decision making boards, participating in unit planning processes and serving on various task forces; may direct the work of a small staff on a project or day to day basis.

9. Compiles and maintains accurate records and files regarding program activities; prepares periodic and special statistical or narrative reports as required; may access multiple databases to prepare such reports.

10. Negotiates contracts with service providers; ensures that contracts are renewed in a timely manner; prepares, distributes and follows-up on contract documentation.

11. Analyzes changes in regulations; evaluates the impact upon program operations and drafts policy and procedural changes as required.

12. Prepares a variety of correspondence, periodic and special reports, informational publications, program documentation, policies, procedures and other written materials.

13. Operates a variety of standard office equipment including a word processor and/or computer; may drive a county or personal vehicle to make site visits and attend meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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.

Selection Plan

To apply please contact Martha Cardenas at (510) 891-8931 or Martha.cardenas@acgov.org to apply.

You are encouraged to apply immediately as this posting is open until filled and may close at anytime.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer