Program Specialist Trainee (Office of Housing)

The Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Family and Community Partnerships is seeking a qualified candidate for Program Specialist Trainee position. This position will report in-person to the Office of Housing in Trenton, NJ. This position may be eligible to work remotely for up to two days in a calendar week.

Under the close supervision of a Program Specialist 3, Program Specialist 4 or other supervisory officer in a State department or agency, as a trainee and productive worker, receives on-the-job training while assisting in the professional, administrative, and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of human or social service programs, programs serving the socio-economic needs of specific clients populations, or regulatory programs designed to ensure public safety, health and welfare, or protection of the environment; completes assignments which provide practical Program Specialist experience; does other related work.

The Program Specialist will work within the Office of Housing (OOH) which is responsible for promoting a comprehensive hub for housing and related services that furthers the Department’s goals of supporting a portfolio of high-quality housing services, streamlining systems integration and augmenting DCF’s response to the housing needs of constituents Statewide. The Office manages and provides oversight of a continuum of housing interventions and related services; including Keeping Families Together (KFT), Connect to Home (CTH) and additional programming that meets the needs of individuals, families and youth aging out of care.

The Program Specialist will work collaboratively with FCP staff, DCP&P teams, other DCF Offices, public and private partners, including parents, youth, and families, community providers, external technical assistance and/or evaluation providers to support the implementation of assigned housing programming and related services.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Provide oversight of assigned county/local housing programs and related services.

* Promote an understanding of, and adherence to, program training/coaching, policies and procedures and other implementation supports.

* Provide technical assistance/consultation and facilitates the sharing of best practices among implementing agencies for systems-building and program development.

* Develop skills and abilities in program implementation to provide technical assistance to implementing agencies.

* Support programmatic data management.

* Continually review information regarding the provider network and its performance and impact on constituents, other parts of DCF/state and local government and the community.

* Participate in programmatic teams with public and private stakeholders, including parents, youth and families.

* Ensure clear communication across teams by using feedback loops and other communication strategies.

* Prepare documents, make presentations, and participate in stakeholder meetings.

* Manage meeting processes including scheduling, agenda, minutes and monitoring next steps, as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

RESUME NOTE: Eligibility determinations will be based upon information presented on the resume only. Applicants who possess a degree from a college or university outside the United States must provide an evaluation of one’s transcripts from a recognized evaluation service at the time of submission by the above closing date. Failure to do so may result in your ineligibility.

VETERANS PREFERENCE: Are you a veteran? If so, proof of your NJ Veterans Preference is required at application. Please provide a copy of your New Jersey Civil Service Commission NOTIFICATION OF VETERANS STATUS along with your cover letter and resume. For information on how to apply for Veterans Preference in the State of NJ, please visit the Civil Service Commission's website at http://www.state.nj.us/csc/seekers/veterans.

LICENSE: Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

RESIDENCY LAW: Please refer to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families’ website at www.state.nj.us/dcf.

SALARY: $46,431.86 - $48,531.07.

TO APPLY: You must submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document, saving the file by your Last Name, First Name. Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this job opportunity and send the file to: Job.Posting@dcf.nj.gov

The Department of Children and Families is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment which reflects the diversity of the state we serve.