Program Specialist (Maternal Child & Adolescent Health Option)

THE EXAMINATION:

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.

 

APPLICATION AND 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 Resources Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

QUALIFIED BILINGUAL PERSONS WHO SPEAK ENGLISH AND ARE ALSO FLUENT IN SPANISH, CHINESE, VIETNAMESE, CAMBODIAN, LAOTIAN, KOREAN, MIEN, TAGALOG, AMHARIC, FARSI, DARI, TIGRIGNA, RUSSIAN, ROMANIAN OR SIGN LANGUAGE ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL BI WEEKLY COMPENSATION FOR PERSONS IN POSITIONS DESIGNATED BILINGUAL. Qualified candidates may be tested to demonstrate language proficiency.

HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY

 

The Health Care Services Agency, Public Health Department seeks to fill multiple Program Specialists vacancies in the Family Health Services Division.  Program Specialists are responsible for providing 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 in a wide variety of service areas.  Program Specialists also act as County liaisons with service providers and funding sources and ensure that program regulations and procedures are followed in addition to performing related work as required.

 

 

THE DEPARTMENT

 

Alameda County Public Health Department has worked for over 50 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 each calls for short and long term solutions that lie well outside traditional public health boundaries.

 

THE DIVISION

The Family Health Services (FHS) Division is a leader in advocating for families to assure and protect their health and well-being. Together with our community partners, we strive to assure access to services essential to having healthy babies, growing healthy kids, and building healthy families. The mission of the FHS Division is to protect and improve the health of California's women of reproductive age, infants, children, adolescents and their families.

Positions may be filled in one of the following programs:

MADRE

The MADRE (Maternal Access and Linkages for Desired Reproductive Health) program provides health linkages and assists with access to care for underserved women who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss. MADRE serves women who receive a terminal fetal diagnosis during their current pregnancy, or have a history of preterm labor/delivery.  The purpose of the program is to enhance the health of women and couples before conception or during pregnancy in order to improve their birth outcomes MADRE provides administrative medical case management and works closely with health providers and staff/community on bereavement/loss and other health issues of high risk MPCAH client best practices. 

IPOP

The IPOP (Improving Pregnancy Outcomes Program) is dedicated to reducing infant mortality within the African American community in Alameda County. Our goal is to reach high-risk, low-income, Medi-Cal and non-Medi-Cal pregnant and parenting women, partners, and children from ages 0-2. IPOP is one of over 100 programs across the country that is federally-funded to reduce infant mortality and improve perinatal health outcomes under the auspices of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

CHDP

The CHDP (Child Health & Disability Prevention Program) provides health check-ups for infants, children, and teens. These health check-ups include a growth and development check; all needed shots and lab tests; a dental, vision, and hearing screening; and appropriate health education information. If medical problems are found during the visit, children will be referred for additional medical services.

Perinatal Services

Perinatal Services provides technical assistance to Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program sites that provide health education, psychosocial, and nutrition support to pregnant Medi-Cal patients. Staff provide Roundtables on prenatal topics, and chart reviews at the clinics. In collaboration with the Fetal Infant Mortality Review Team, staff host the Community Forum for Perinatal Health (CFPH) to address issues in the county that contribute to preventable causes of fetal and infant mortality. Our outreach workers provide health information and referrals to families at WIC sites.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas:

 

 

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidates will have strong programmatic knowledge and experience pertaining to the administration of direct service delivery health care programs to the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) client population AND possess two years programmatic experience in a MCH program which includes program management, planning, development for MCAH targeted populations delivering health related service, review and evaluation of contracts and budget development.

 

Critical attributes to the success of the Program Specialist (MCAH Option) position include:

 

Demonstrated expertise as a self-directed problem-solver with high standards for quality and a strong commitment to public service.

 

Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and in a variety of context.

 

Strong ability to identify and understand complex problems and concepts, apply logical thinking and quantitative methods to gathering and analyzing information, make decisions and exercise good judgment based on available data, design solutions to problems, and formulate and articulate action plans.

 

Consistently maintain effectiveness even when experiencing changes in work responsibilities, priorities and deadlines and takes prompt action to accomplish objectives; champions policy/practice changes instituted by upper management as well as a willingness to identify issues and address them proactively and collaboratively.

 

Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to independently prioritize tasks and not only work on multiple projects simultaneously, but also be able to provide status updates on projects at a moments notice.

 

Ability to develop monitoring systems—establishes systems to monitor activities or outputs that are easy to use and that provide timely and pertinent information.

 

Demonstrated proficiency organizing and developing data to respond to audits and data requests.

Possession of a Masters degree in Public Health is desired.

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, 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.)

- 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' application 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 the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified.
3. An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

 

Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment.

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.

 

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS

Applicants will be informed via e-mail with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will required 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 of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified: Panel Interviews:

5:00 pm.,Monday,June 24, 2013 Friday, June 28, 2013 Tuesday, July 9, 2013 Week of July 29, 2013

 

The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773. To request an accommodation due to a disability during this or other phases of the selection process, please contact the Human Resource Services Department at (510) 272-6472 before the final filing deadline. Alameda County Human Resources Services will require documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a permanent disability pursuant to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's statute of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, as amended, and/or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) Act.

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

 

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

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California's seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California's eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

MEDICAL PLANS

The County offers HMO and PPO medical plans.  The County has two contributions structures, 1) County contributes 100% of the lowest cost HMO; or 2) County contributes 90% of the HMO plans and 90% of the lowest cost HMO towards the PPO. The County contribution can be prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  Employees pay any additional premium costs if they chose an alternate HMO or PPO Plan. If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County, a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS

The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes up to 100% of the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and annual maximum up to $1,450 per. The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT

The County offers two Voluntary Vision Plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eligible employees.  The two plans consist of a low option and a high option that offer annual eye exams and coverage for various frames and lenses.  The Voluntary Vision Plan is 100% employee paid and available to employees and their dependents.  In addition, an annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. 

LIFE INSURANCE

The County pays for a Basic Life Insurance policy of $25,000.  Supplemental Life Insurance for an employee can be purchased in $10,000 increments up $1,000,000.  Supplemental Life Insurance can also be purchased for spouse/domestic partner and/or eligible dependent children.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT (AD&D) INSURANCE

An employee can purchase either a policy for themselves or a family policy in $25,000 increments up to $500,000.

COUNTY ALLOWANCE DOLLARS

The County provides up to $2900 of flex dollars annually, dependent upon the management employee's represented or unrepresented classification.  These flex dollars can be used to pay for medical, Supplemental Life and/or AD&D premiums.  The unused portion of these flex dollars are deposited into a Health Flexible Spending Account for the management employee, which can be used for unreimbursed medical expenses.

HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Employees may opt to salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $10,000 for eligible out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses such as: prescription co-pays, office visit co-pays, prescription eye glasses or contact lenses.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For employees who have either children under age 13 or dependents (parent, sibling or in-law incapable of self-care) that are dependent upon the employee for care can contribute salary on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 annually.  These pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for day care expenses provided by a licensed facility.

 

COMMUTER BENEFITS

For the 2011 Plan Year, an employee can set aside up to $230 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking and commuting to and from work transit fees.

HOLIDAYS

Eleven paid holidays plus two or four floating holidays depending on the union bargaining unit.  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 leave.

VACATION AND SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Vacation accrual ranges from two weeks to five weeks depending upon years of service and the union bargaining unit to which the position is assigned.  Sick leave accrues at the approximate rate of one-half day per bi-weekly pay period.  Exact rate is based on the union bargaining unit and is defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

VACATION PURCHASE PROGRAM

The County allows you to purchase one or two additional weeks of vacation through payroll deduction.  Exact benefit is based on the union bargaining unit and is defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

DISABILITY or INCOME REPLACEMENT

Two voluntary plans are offered: Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability can be purchased through a payroll deduction or with accrued vacation hours depending upon the union bargaining unit.

LONG TERM CARE

This voluntary benefit extends care for yourself and/or your spouse and/or your parents who experience a serious accident, chronic illness or frailties of old age.  Places where care can be provided are: in one's home, at a nursing home, at an assisted living facility or adult day care center.

RETIREMENT

The County retirement program is a Defined Benefit plan and is governed under the provisions of the 1937 Act.  The County's retirement is based on one's age upon entrance, compensation, years of service and specific percentage of employee/employer contributions with the County's portion vesting after five years of employment. (With regard to Project positions - Regularly appointed incumbents in full-time, non-project positions in the Alameda County classified service who are current members of the retirement system and who are appointed, without a break in service or status to a project position can elect to remain in the retirement system.  Individuals hired into a project position and subsequently appointed to full-time, non-project positions become members of the retirement system at the time of the regular appointment.  Computations and determinations of eligibility for retirement shall be based on the date of the regular appointment, with entitlements being prospective from that date.)

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a Deferred Compensation program where an eligible employee can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis, a minimum of $20 per pay period up to the total annual contribution limit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.                                                               (510) 272-3703 (TDD)

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster.

DMV EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE PROGRAM
All county employees who drive on county business are required to enroll in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program in an effort to promote driver safety.  Employees’ driver record reports will be released to the County Safety Officer in Risk Management to ensure that employees have valid driver’s licenses and are eligible to drive on county business.
 

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant's previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver's license and the performance of functions defined as "safety sensitive," Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.

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.

Herlinda Morales-Chacon, Human Resources Analyst I
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
510-272-6472
www.acgov.org/hrs