Employment and Training Contract Specialist (#MAGZ09)
$44,900.00 Yearly Min / $56,125.00 Yearly Mid / $67,350.00 Yearly Max

A class incumbent negotiates for the purpose of providing job training and employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged clientele and others in need of training; manages, monitors and provides on-going technical assistance for these contracts.

A class incumbent is responsible for coordinating all activities involved with developing, managing, monitoring and evaluating employment and training programs. The incumbent provides technical assistance in the awarding of funds to subcontractors, negotiates contracts and provides assistance to subcontractors in contract implementation and on-going maintenance, and is the department contact for subcontractor questions and problems. This incumbent has frequent contact with the division's Fiscal and MIS units to determine and provide payments to subcontractors; the incumbent also must be knowledgeable regarding all contracts. Important aspects of the position include approving or disallowing payments to subcontractors, and identifying and recommending corrective action for problems.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Negotiates and develops cost reimbursement and performance contracts with outside contractors and the Division of Employment and Training; supervises negotiation team.
   
• Acts as technical advisor to subcontractors during contract period:  identifies managerial and operational problems; develops corrective action plans; provides interpretation of laws, guidelines, and policies.
   
• Monitors and evaluates contract management effectiveness through on-site review and analysis of subcontractor performance and operations.
   
• Initiates and/or participates in the development of unit/program policy and procedure and long-range planning goals and objectives; analyzes proposed and enacted legislation to determine impact on training and employment operations.
   
• Determines flow of funds to subcontractors based on analysis of statistical and fiscal reports; determines advance amounts; approves/disallows payments.
   
• Make individual and/or group oral and written presentations to special interest groups; participates on related committees and task forces.
   
• Performs special projects individually or as part of a work group such as: conversion of the unit's manual system to an automated system, development of new policies, procedures and forms, and development of EEO compliance guidelines.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of employment and training programs and methodologies.
• Knowledge of training and employment operations.
• Knowledge of labor market conditions and trends as they relate to labor supply and demand.
• Knowledge of financial planning and budget analysis.
• Knowledge of program evaluation techniques, methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of auditing practices, procedures and methods.
• Knowledge of the special needs and problems associated with disadvantaged groups and unemployed individuals.
• Skill in administration; planning, organizing, and problem solving.
• Skill in interviewing to elicit sensitive, complete information.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Skill in contract negotiation.
• Skill in tact and diplomacy.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with special interest groups, subcontractors, clients.
• Skill in mathematics to perform routine statistical analysis.
• Ability to lead others effectively and conduct training.
• Ability to analyze data and make sound recommendations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Employment and Training Contract Specialist
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Six months experience in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating employment and training programs.
2. Six months experience in budget management and control which includes managing a budget for the purpose of keeping expenditures within the limitations of available appropriations and available revenue and maintaining, monitoring, projecting and controlling a budget within set policies and procedures.
3. Six months experience in contract management and control which includes ensuring compliance with terms of contracts; negotiating changes to existing contracts.
4. Six months experience in interpreting employment and training program laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
5. Six months experience in narrative report writing.