SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2

***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE***

Job Summary

The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is seeking a Social Services Program Specialist II (SSPSII) located in Las Vegas or Carson City. This position plays a critical role in statewide oversight, program development, and continuous quality improvement (CQI) within child welfare. Foundational knowledge of child abuse and neglect, including safety, permanency, and well-being of children and direct child welfare practice experience is required. Preferred knowledge and skills include an understanding of continuous quality improvement principles and data analysis, familiarity with federal and state laws related to child welfare, and strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills. Under general direction of manager, the Social Services Program Specialist 2 is responsible for assisting with coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of statewide child welfare programs. Assist in development and implementation statewide policy incorporating federal regulations, state statutes, and best practice standards. Conduct quality assurance and improvement activities related to child welfare. Assist in analyzing proposed legislation during legislative sessions to assess impact on child welfare programs. Provide consultation and technical assistance to professional and managerial staff. Collaborate with stakeholders and oversee grant activities. Assist in preparation of federal and state reports and analyze critical data elements for quality assurance. Incumbents may function as supervisors and may train, evaluate the performance of assigned staff, assign and review work, and initiate disciplinary action. Travel may be required with this position.

Social Services Program Specialists perform administrative and professional work in conjunction with the administration of statewide public assistance, medical assistance, or social services programs. Positions allocated to this series are primarily focused on program administrative functions which include interpretation of regulations and laws; development of program policies and procedures; quality assurance and quality control; preparation of statistical and narrative reports for federal and State entities and division/department management; and development and enhancement of automated systems that support program operations. While incumbents in this series may interact with clients to resolve customer service issues, the purpose of these positions is not the delivery of direct services to program participants. Employees may be assigned supervisory or lead worker responsibility at any level in the series, but this responsibility does not, by itself, warrant allocation to a higher level.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study pertinent to the program assignment and one year of professional experience providing social services to clients or program development and evaluation which required the application of regulations, laws, policies and procedures in making determinations; OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study pertinent to the program assignment and one year of professional experience providing medical assistance programs, services, or healthcare services to clients or program compliance and evaluation which required the application of regulations, laws, policies and procedures in making determinations; OR one year of experience as a Social Services Program Specialist I in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

Participate in planning and developing social services or medical assistanceprograms to provide needed services; conduct needs assessments; research and evaluate existing programs; identify community and financial resources, and establish committees to assist with program development; calculate the financial and operational impact to the agency; prepare reports and recommendations for management; apply for grants; draft proposed legislation; develop program plans and acquire administrative approval.

Develop and revise program documentation to include State plans, policy manuals, procedures, and contracts to ensure programs are implemented in accordance with program goals and objectives and in compliance with federal regulations and State laws; analyze and interpret federal regulations and State laws; determine the impact upon program operations; gather input from program personnel and other interested parties, coordinate with other affected units within and outside the agency, and acquire agency approval and regulatory approval as needed.

Monitor program quality and compliance to ensure programs are operating effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with program requirements; design monitoring instruments; develop and monitor management information reports; conduct on-site reviews to include a review of program operations, management practices, and program and financial records; identify problem areas, summarize findings in a written report, and develop corrective action plans.

Provide technical assistance and guidance to program staff and respond to inquiries and requests for information from a variety of individuals such as agency management and personnel, other government agencies, community representatives, government officials, media representatives, attorneys, and the general public; interpret federal and State regulations; provide policy clarification and statistical information, complete surveys, resolve complaints, and draft correspondence for managers, administrators and officials.

Conduct research studies to provide administration with needed information; plan the study and design instruments for gathering data; research existing programs, compile and analyze data, prepare comprehensive reports, and develop recommendations.

Prepare and monitor program operating budgets to ensure funds are expended appropriately and in accordance with the goals and objectives of programs; develop annual budgets, allocate funds among program offices, monitor revenue and expenditures and propose funding adjustments if necessary.

Promote social services or medical assistance programs and serve as a spokesperson for the division; communicate and meet with program personnel, clients, providers, media representatives, community groups, and government officials to promote program goals and objectives; serve as a liaison with federal, State, and local officials regarding the program; deliver speeches and write press releases and public service announcements; and develop informational material such as posters, brochures and pamphlets.

Develop and implement training programs; analyze and research training needs and evaluate training models; develop appropriate training curricula, materials, and methods; establish training schedules, conduct training sessions, and evaluate and update curricula on an ongoing basis.

Provide technical guidance to service providers within or outside the State; explain policies, procedures and applicable regulations; provide consultation on problematic cases.

Participate in the development, maintenance, and enhancement of computerized systems to support program operations; research and evaluate the needs of program staff, initiate system change requests, and work with programming staff to test and implement system changes; prepare documentation for the computer system manual as assigned.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Under direction, incumbents perform the full range of duties described in the series concept in conjunction with planning, developing, and implementing comprehensive, complex social services or medical assistance programs. Incumbents interpret broad and sometimes ambiguous statutes and regulations that govern the assigned program area; independently make decisions regarding day-to-day program administration activities; apply recognized professional principles to develop solutions to problems; interpret and apply new and existing policies and procedures, and monitor and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of program operations and personnel. Decisions of a controversial nature or which have a significant impact on the program are made in conjunction with, or referred to, supervisory and managerial personnel. In conjunction with higher-level program staff, managers and chiefs, incumbents participate in the development and initial implementation of new program components, short- and long-term plans for the assigned program area and develop new program policies that are reviewed and approved by management prior to implementation.

This class is distinguished from Social Services Program Specialist I by greater responsibility for comprehensive complex programs and/or grants, and independence in interpreting statutes and regulations. At this level, many positions are responsible for new program components or have regional responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Working knowledge of: social services and resources applicable to the assigned program; methods of administering social or medical assistance programs in local and regional offices to ensure compliance with federal regulations and State law and implement new policies and procedures.

General knowledge of: purpose and scope of assigned programs; appeal and hearing processes and protocols; automated information system logic and its application to the program assigned; data processing concepts including general data base, system security, data communication, and multiple platform strengths and weaknesses; computer technologies sufficient to develop automated training modules; develop routine database applications; principles and practices for the development and presentation of training classes.

Ability to: develop routine databases; evaluate program effectiveness and recommend innovative and improved procedures and practices to enhance program services; mediate between contending parties such as clients and staff, legal services and staff, contractors and the division; coordinate program activities with professionals from a variety of disciplines; interpret broad, ambiguous, and sometimes conflicting regulations and laws; make independent decisions that impact the quality of services provided; resolve complex issues such as eligibility for services; resolve compliance problems while maintaining level of services; identify policy issues which require management resolution; analyze and communicate system needs to programmers and validate the programming process; prepare and update documentation for the computer system manual; conduct needs assessments and interpret results including training needs; evaluate training models and develop appropriate training curriculum, materials and methods; develop statistical and analytical reports; interpret case and program budgets and financial statements; coordinate program staff and unit activities by determining the time, place, and sequence of actions; plan and conduct meetings; relay clear and concise findings to service providers and contract personnel including responding appropriately to opposition or disagreement.

Skill in: troubleshooting computer operating problems.

Recruiter Contact Information: Victoria Sheehan - Torisheehan@admin.nv.gov

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.

Benefits include:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP) .
  
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
  
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
  
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
  
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) . Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication .
  
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program .
  
• No Nevada state income tax.
  
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
  
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.
  

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU) .

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF) .

*** State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The following are legal holidays:

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day

June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day

July 4.................................................... Independence Day

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day

November 11........................................ Veterans' Day

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day

December 25........................................ Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255

Closing Date/Time: 3/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• STATE OF NEVADA

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