DISABILITY PROGRAM SPECIALIST, H50

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving one or more of the functional disability programs in the Office of Disability Concerns.  This may include activities related to researching disability issues, resources and services, providing information concerning disability issues and resources to clients and others, acting as a client advocate or ombudsman, and assisting clients with resolving complaints or obtaining assistance through mediation, negotiation, or legal remedies.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• Plans, develops, implements and coordinates various programs related to functional disabilities, including information and referral, needs assessment, employment development, or technical assistance on a statewide basis; researches disability issues, resources and services; prepares, procures and disseminates disability issues and resource information to persons with disabilities, families, agencies, businesses, government officials, and the public.
• Performs case management and other tasks associated with the client assistance program; receives incoming requests for client assistance, identifies problems and provides counseling, information referral and program services to eligible for assistance.
• Provides technical assistance to disabled persons, state agencies and political subdivisions in areas of evaluation, policies, transitional plans, architectural barriers, and cost-effective structural changes concerning compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting persons with disabilities.
• Assists clients with civil complaints, public hearings or other actions; pursues or assists clients in pursuing remedies to complaints through mediation, negotiation, or legal proceedings.
• Develops and conducts ongoing needs assessment studies to determine the needs of persons with disabilities; conducts special studies to identify employment related issues; analyzes data and prepares reports and recommendations.
• Collects and maintains information on employment resources; provides information, referral and counseling assistance to disabled job seekers; assists state agencies and the private sector in the development of policies and programs; coordinates, develops and provides staff for displays, exhibitions, and awareness events throughout the state; researches, edits and coordinates production of agency newsletters and other information materials.  Organizes and conducts training workshops for individuals with disabilities, professionals and others; coordinates and conducts presentations and meetings pertaining to the rehabilitation process.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

This job family consists of four levels which are distinguished based on the level of complexity of assigned duties, the expertise required to complete assigned responsibilities, and the responsibility assigned for providing supervision to others.

Level I:                                     Code:  H50A                                         Salary Band:  I

This is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities involving beginning level professional work in providing assistance and information to persons with disabilities.  In this role employees will receive guidance in and perform tasks related to planning, developing, implementing and coordinating various programs involving information and referral services, needs assessment, employment development or technical assistance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of federal, state and municipal laws and regulations affecting programs for persons with disabilities; of available community resources for persons with disabilities; of employment problems related to various types of disabilities; of complaint procedures associated with disability problems; of interviewing techniques; of techniques used in research and investigations; and of report writing.  Ability is required to read and comprehend statutes, guidelines, and other technical matter; to analyze situations and make appropriate decisions; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;  and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience involving programs for the disabled, employment development, guidance and counseling, civil rights administration or employee relations or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of qualifying  experience for each year of the required education.

Level II:                                   Code:  H50B                                         Salary Band:  J

This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities at the full performance level for a full range of duties related to developing, implementing and coordinating various programs for persons with disabilities and providing assistance in resolving complaints or obtaining assistance through available resources.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus ability to develop and implement various programs dealing with the problems of persons with disabilities and provide technical assistance to clients and others in matters associated with disability programs and services.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus one additional year of qualifying experience.

Level III:                                  Code:  H50C                                         Salary Band:  K

This is the specialist level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities for advanced level professional work involving a wide range of issues dealing with disability programs and services.  In this role, employees will primarily be involved in matters related to providing client advocacy or ombudsman services to clients and performing case management duties in providing counseling, information referral and program services.  This will also include providing assistance to clients in resolving complaints or obtaining assistance through mediation, negotiation, or legal remedies.  Some responsibility may also be assigned for providing training and assistance to others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level II plus knowledge of grievance and legal processes; and ability is required to conduct inspections and investigations and ability to provide casework management.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus one additional year of qualifying experience, including one year of experience in a program for the disabled.

Level IV:                                  Code:  H50D                                         Salary Band:  L

This is the leadership level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities for providing supervision to others in planning, implementing and coordinating programs and services for persons with disabilities.  This will include providing guidance, training and assistance to others, reviewing results of completed tasks and activities, and performing related administrative tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level III plus knowledge of supervisory principles and practices and ability is required to supervise the work of others.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus one additional year of qualifying experience in a program for the disabled.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill all job related travel normally associated with this position.