Review Vacancy
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
TitleProgram Operations Specialist 3
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $96336 to $121413 Annually
Duties Description The Division of Policy and Program Development (DPPD) is responsible for the management, modification and development of most federal agreements and associated program and policy activities required to support OPWDD's mission of helping people with developmental disabilities live richer lives. DPPD is seeking a candidate with strong analytical, research, and project management skills in the field of Home and Community Based Services.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Serve as the lead program design and implementation project manager in DPPD for major Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) policy and program initiatives that advance OPWDD's mission of supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live safely and independently in their homes and communities. This includes leading the design, implementation and continuous improvement of initiatives related to federal HCBS requirements, including the Access Rule, HCBS Setting Rule, and Person-Centered Planning requirements. This role will coordinate across OPWDD divisions and external partners to strengthen incident management systems, critical incident reporting processes and quality oversight while advancing innovative service models that expand independence and community integration. This includes supporting the implementation and evaluation of emerging service approaches such as Home-Enabling Supports and other technology-enabled services that
promote safety, autonomy, and community participation. The position will also contribute program design expertise to cross-agency initiatives, including the Children's State Agency Redesign workgroup, ensuring alignment of policy, program design, and service delivery across state systems serving children and adults with I/DD.
· Serve as the lead staff responsible for developing, updating and coordinating policy guidance for internal OPWDD divisions, provider agencies, and Health Home Care Managers related to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) 1915(c) Waiver services and administration. This role will manage the development review and dissemination of policy guidance and operational materials, ensuring alignment with federal and state requirements. This position will coordinate closely with Counsel's Office, OPWDD Regional Offices, and other divisions to support consistent interpretation and implementation of HCBS policy statewide.
· Serve as the primary liaison with the Department of Health (DOH) regarding Critical Incident notifications for individuals enrollees in the HCBS Waiver. DPPD is responsible for reviewing Critical and Significant Event (CSE) reports involving individuals whose health and safety has been significantly placed at risk to determine whether federal notification to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is required. The candidate will coordinate with DOH, DPPD, and DQI leadership to ensure timely review of incidents and federal notification to CMS. The position supervises staff related to the review of incident notifications and development of guidance materials.
· Contribute to the analysis and evaluation of outcomes related to Home-Enabling Supports, a new subservice of Assistive Technology designed to help people with I/DD through the use of have greater independence and safety in their home and community through the use of devices, items and remote monitoring. This work will support the continued development and refinement of technology-enabled service model within the HCBS Waiver.
· Conduct research and policy analysis related federal and state initiatives affecting services for people with IDD, including technology first strategies, housing initiatives, self-direction models, and other emerging policy areas. Translate research findings into policy recommendations, presentations and guidance materials to support OPWDD leadership, Regional Office staff, and other external stakeholders in program development and implementation.
· Supervise a team of three staff within the Program Development Bureau in DPPD including staff responsible for incident management review and policy support functions. Provide direction, oversight, and professional development to ensure high-quality analysis, policy development, and program implementation.
· Develop and deliver training related to the 1915c Waiver for OPWDD Regional Offices and other OPWDD divisions. Represent OPWDD in statewide and national meetings related to HCBS Waiver policy, program development, and emerging best practices in services for individuals with I/DD.
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Minimum Qualifications Promotion:
Candidates must be reachable for appointment on the current Civil Service Eligible List.
Transfer:
Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.
To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website: https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/index.cfm.
Additional Comments • If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 or 52.6 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.
• The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).
• If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
•Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
• Paid Holidays and Leave:
° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
• Health Care Coverage:
Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
• Paid Parental Leave:
Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• Retirement Program:
Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
• Professional Development and Education and Training:
NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.