State of Maryland

A Human Service Specialist V is the expert staff level of work in the field of human service program administration.  Employees in this classification conduct studies and analyses of agency programs, procedures and organizations and makes recommendations to improve system efficiency and operations.  Employees in this classification specialize in one or more human service program areas, such as program planning or evaluation, child support, child welfare, adult services, family investment, aging, energy assistance, federal compliance, Title IV-E program, or volunteer program administration.  Employees in this classification function as a technical subject matter expert in a specific human services program with responsibility for program administration. Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher-level Human Service Specialist or designated administrator.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the classification specification.

The Human Service Specialist V is differentiated from the Human Service Specialist IV in that the Human Service Specialist V functions as a technical subject matter expert in a specific human services program with responsibility for program administration, the planning and implementation of new or revised programs, procedures, practices and processes, and the disposition of a variety of problems, issues and projects while the Human Service Specialist IV performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Functions as a technical subject matter expert in a specific human services program, such as program planning or evaluation, child support, child welfare, adult services, family investment, energy assistance, federal compliance, Title IV-E program, or volunteer program administration;

Administers a human service program with responsibility for the planning and implementation of new or revised procedures, practices and processes, and the disposition of a variety of problems, issues and projects;

Evaluates reports and recommendations of lower-level Human Service Specialist staff for conformance with the appropriate laws, policy and case precedent and determines adequacy of recommendations;

Advises subordinate staff and other Human Service Specialists assigned to other areas on the handling of special cases involving unusual ramifications or applications of the human services policies and procedures;

Ensures compliance with departmental policies, directives, and objectives in day-to-day operations;

Recommends changes in legislation, policies or procedures;

Participates in the formulation and modification of program goals, and in the process of program planning;

Prepares final reports and evaluations of the human service program;

Plans and conducts special projects or analyses of the human service program;

Conducts studies and analyses of agency human service programs, procedures, practices and organizations and makes recommendations to improve system efficiency and operations;

Consults with program heads and administrative officials regarding policies, trends and interpretation of data and program needs;

Prepares statistical tables and charts, work-flow charts, staffing patterns and organizational charts;

Plans and implements new or revised procedures, practices and processes;

Assists in the formulation and preparation of an agency's budget;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of analytical principles and research methods and techniques used in collecting, compiling and organizing data and used in drawing reasonable inferences from data;

Knowledge of principles, theories, practices and protocols applicable to one or more human service areas, such as program planning or evaluation, child support, child welfare, adult services, family investment, energy assistance, federal compliance, Title IV-E program, or volunteer program administration;

Skill in the collection, compilation, classification and tabulation of data;

Skill in the gathering of information through interviews;

Skill in the preparation of clear, accurate and detailed reports;

Ability to train lower-level Human Services Specialists;

Ability to understand the Department of Human Services agency’s purpose, programs, organization and procedures;

Ability to use computer software applications;

Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with customers, employees, supervisory and management staff, personnel from other agencies and institutions and the general public;

Ability to effectively organize and manage work assignments and meet deadlines;

Ability to communicate effectively.

Experience: Eight years of experience, four years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations and an additional four years of professional or technical experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and four years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute graduate level education at an accredited college or university in a human services related field at the rate of 30 credit hours per year for up to six years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military experience as a commissioned officer in Administrative Officer classifications or Administrative Officer specialty codes in the General, Administrative, Clerical and Office Services field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit F, Social and Human Services Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.   Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.