Program Specialist IV

Job Description :

Works independently under the general direction of the Contracts and Grants Manager. Performs highly complex, senior level consultative services and technical assistance work.

Plans, develops, and implements programmatic work related to Immunization Unit contracts. Provides consultative services and technical assistance to Public Health Region (PHR) Immunization Program Managers and contractors to ensure contract requirements are clear and complied with.

Coordinates programmatic pieces of contracts and requests for proposals. Monitors contractors for compliance with contracts.

Coordinates activities with the Contract Management Section (CMS) and Procurement and Contracting Services (PCS). Assists in the planning, coordinating, and monitoring of cooperative agreement / grant related activities and monitoring expenditures associated with the cooperative agreement / grant.

Works on special projects as directed by the Contracts and Grants Manager. Works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Essential Job Functions :

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

40%) Provides advanced, complex consultative services and technical assistance to PHR Managers, Local Health Departments (LHD), and other contractors.

Plans, develops, and implements programmatic language for contracts and requests for proposals in coordination with the appropriate Immunization Unit program area with input from stakeholders.

Works closely with CMS and other internal partners to implement contracts. Provides guidance to staff in the development and integration of new contracting language and methods as they are implemented.

Consults with PHRs, LHDs, other contractors, and Immunization Unit staff to plan and implement effective programs and services and to ensure consistency statewide.

Conducts all work related to contracting as assigned by the Contracts and Grants Manager and the Contracts and Grants Team Lead, and CMS.

Develops performance measures and review criteria. Develops statements of work for contractors. Working with Immunization Unit subject-matter experts (SMEs), develops work plans for some contractors.

Serves as a subject matter expert for Immunization Unit contracts. May plan and present at statewide technical assistance meetings.

Documents standard operating procedures related to contracts.

35%) Oversees and conducts reviews to determine contractor compliance with contracts and program policies. May conduct contractor compliance reviews (including on-site reviews).

Provides technical assistance to PHRs for contractor compliance reviews. Oversees the completion of required contractor performance reports and ensures that information is communicated to contractors for quality improvement.

Reviews contractor vouchers and monitors contract expenditures. Recommends appropriate changes and actions based on contractor performance monitoring and reviews.

Works with Immunization Unit SMEs and Public Health Regions to identify and resolve problems related to contracts. Develops and updates policy and procedure manuals, develops reports for contractors and for program use, and develops evaluation and other tools related to Immunization Unit contracts.

Develops evaluation techniques and tools for monitoring contractor compliance and the delivery of immunization services.

Conducts reviews to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Analyzes operations and makes appropriate recommendations for improvement.

Organizes, analyzes, and reports data related to contracts using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access. Evaluates findings from across the state, reviews and evaluates information on service delivery systems and activities, identifies gaps in resources, and recommends improvements.

Works with contractors, PHR staff, Immunization Unit SMEs, and CMS to develop action plans for improvement.

15%) Working with the Contracts and Grants Manager, the Contracts and Grants Team Lead, and the CDC Public Health Advisors, assists in the development, management, and monitoring of immunization cooperative agreements and other grants as assigned.

• May assist with creating performance measures and targets; preparing budget justifications; developing work plans, goals, objectives, and activities;
• developing supporting documentation required for the cooperative agreement / grants; coordinating and tracking the development, review, completion, and submission of required cooperative agreement / grant reports, including the Mid-Year and Annual Reports;

tracking progress toward performance measures and other deliverables; tracking grant budget expenditures; and collecting and analyzing performance measure, deliverable, budget, and other data related to grants for tracking purposes and process improvement.

5%) Other duties as assigned that relate to contracts and monitoring of contractors. Makes presentations related to contracting and other duties of the Immunization Operations Group.

5%) Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to actively participating and / or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and / or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and / or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities :

Knowledge of immunization program and essential public health services. Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and / or processes relating to contracts administration.

Knowledge of public administration and management techniques. Knowledge of contracts, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of data analysis, program planning, and implementation.

Skill in developing measures or indicators of program performance, problem solving techniques, and procedures to monitor and evaluate progress.

Skill in contract development and monitoring. Skill in using personal computer application software such as Microsoft Office applications (especially Word, Excel, and Access) or similar programs.

Skill in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations and write technical information in an understandable format.

Ability to devise solutions to problems. Ability to interpret legal documents such as contracts. Ability to develop, research, interpret, and evaluate policies and procedures.

Ability to research, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and data. Ability to prepare concise reports. Ability to assess and manage priorities and meet deadlines.

Ability to effectively work with individuals, groups, and stakeholders. Ability to communicate effectively.