Program Operations Specialist 1

Duties Description
The selected candidate will be a vital team member within the Regional Field Office 1 organizational structure. The Program Operations Specialist 1 (POS 1) will typically provide support to one designated functional unit within the Regional Field Office but may provide additional or alternative coverage when Regional Field Office (RFO) needs deem this necessary. The functional units within the Regional Office include: Front Door, Waiver Services, Eligibility, Self-Direction, Housing, Crisis, Property/Development, Fiscal, and Quality Management/Technical Assistance. The selected candidate will work to ensure excellent quality in Regional Office operational standards. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required to meet organizational needs. Occasional travel within the 17-county region may be required.

As a Program Operations Specialist 1, you would independently perform professional, administrative, and technical duties to promote the planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs and services for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Function as a Litigation Liaison for Region 1 Regional Field Office; compiling and securing records, communication with Counsel and agency leadership, and collaboration with other team members.
• Complete tasks for the Data Management team within the QMTA Unit which will consist of, including but not limited to processing requests in CHOICES/Tabs; monitoring shared mailboxes and being responsive to outreach; supporting data collection and reporting efforts.
• Provide technical assistance related to New York State Laws, rules, regulations and policies on assigned topics to Voluntary Providers, Care Managers, and individuals/families.
• Provide reports to the leadership team and supervisors to assist in evaluation of performance, staffing plan development, and training areas.
• Prepare, edit and maintain various trackers related to QMTA Unit activities
• Have proficient computer skills including use of databases, spreadsheets, and Microsoft products such as Word, TEAMS, and SharePoint.
• Participate in local and statewide meetings and other trainings and workgroups as indicated.
• Participate in Statewide Community of Practice (CoP) meetings.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of OPWDD policies and procedures. Review ADM's, Protocols, Policies and Procedures as released and conduct training and ensure implementation. Emphasis in Litigation, Data Management and QMTA Unit tasks.
• Foster effective collaboration and communication with individuals, families, Care Coordination Organizations, agencies, and other community stakeholders.
• May be required to schedule and facilitate meetings with providers, families, Care Coordination Organizations and other stakeholders.
• Support Quality Management/Technical Assistance Unit operations, including but not limited to stakeholder support and Quality Review Team (QRT) tasks.
• Additional duties may be assigned to assist in supporting Regional Field Office operations.

LinkedIn:

Minimum Qualifications
OPEN COMPETITIVE:

Program Operations Specialist Trainee 1, NS (equivalent to SG-14):

A bachelor's degree in a human services field.

Program Operations Specialist Trainee 2, NS (equivalent to SG-16):

A bachelor's degree in a human services field and one year of experience in a federal or state certified human service program, which must have been in a professional administrative position in which a major duty involved planning, coordinating, monitoring or evaluating a provision of services for people with developmental disabilities. This experience must have included information gathering and analysis.

Program Operations Specialist 1, SG-18:

A bachelor's degree in a human services field and two years of experience in a federal or state certified human service program. One year of this experience must have been in a professional administrative position in which a major duty involved planning, coordinating, monitoring or evaluating a provision of services for people with developmental disabilities. This experience must have included information gathering and analysis.

COMPETITIVE:

Candidates must be reachable for appointment on the current Civil Service Eligible List or the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) Eligible List for this title.

Substitution:

A Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of specialized experience.

TRANSFER:

Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.

To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website

55 B/C QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possess the minimum qualifications for this title as established by the Department of Civil Service and listed on the most recent exam announcement.
• Meet the applicable minimal mental and/or physical requirements for the job (with a reasonable accommodation, if necessary).
• Have a current Eligibility Letter from the NYS Department of Civil Service, , and be able to provide it to the Human Resources Office upon request.

Additional Comments
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.

• Appointments may also be made at the Program Operations Specialist Trainee levels. Candidates hired at the entry-level title (Program Operations Specialist Trainee 1) may be advanced to the full-performance level (Program Operations Specialist 1) following satisfactory completion of two-years of service.

Salary range listed below encompasses the hiring rate of a Program Operations Specialist Trainee 1 through the job rate of a Program Operations Specialist 1.

• Program Operations Specialist Trainee 1: $53,764*
• Program Operations Specialist Trainee 2: $59,994*
• Program Operations Specialist 1: $66,951* - $85,138*
• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 or 52.6 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.
• The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).
• If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at or email to obtain information and RA forms.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
• Paid Holidays and Leave:

° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.

° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.

° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.

° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.

° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.

• Health Care Coverage:

Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.

• Paid Parental Leave:

Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.

• Retirement Program:

Participate in The NYS Employees' Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.

• Professional Development and Education and Training:

NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit

• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply***