PROGRAM SPECIALIST III-DOE

Summary

Program Specialist IIIThis position performs duties under the limited supervision of the Educational Policy Analyst-SES in the State Scholarships, Loans & Grants Section of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. This position is responsible for assistance to professional staff assigned to administer specific student assistance programs. In addition, this position is responsible for communicating with institutions and students pertaining to complex issues on financial aid awards. This position is also responsible for assisting with responsibilities assigned to the unit's Program Director.Duties & Responsibilities:Evaluates Postsecondary Institution Renewal Applications to determine program participation eligibility.Maintains accurate and up to date Institution Demographic Information.Serves as the liaison for State Student Financial Aid Database security, assisting with issues as they arise.Assists in developing systems and reports for anticipating future conditions in applicant criteria and requirements.Develops policy analysis for the unit director.Develops and produces reports which reflect assessment of the applicant data and information systems.Establishes and maintains a computerized database to manage data on student applicants for financial assistance programs funded by state and federal sources including scholarships, grants, tuition reimbursement and teacher loans.Evaluates student applicant data and information to determine eligibility, make awards, and ensure timely and accurate disbursement of funds to all eligible award recipients.Process may also include the evaluation of needs analysis data and academic transcripts.Provides technical assistance at the state level on program requirements to applicants, parents, and schools both orally and in writing including policy interpretation, appeal consideration, and judgments on eligible programs of study.This requires a full knowledge of state program statutes, rules and policies.Analyzes and recommends to supervisor changes that may be needed in program rules or statutory authority and draft proposed language or review proposals made by others.Develops and maintains statistical and demographic reports on program applicants and recipients to provide a current snapshot of the program at any given period.Oversees training, development and materials for counselors and other stakeholders.Assists supervisor in management of all programs in the unit and acts as a resource person for the unit in the supervisor's absence.Performs other duties as required.Minimum Qualifications:Four (4) years of professional experience in business operations, financial accounting, program management.Experience in creating and conducting training courses.Experience with public speaking.Ability to provide work samples of writing skills for grammar, editing and communication review upon request.Preferred Qualifications:Preferences will be given to applicants who meet both the professional and educational experience.Applicants who complete application information and hire requirements listed in the advertisement accurately and to completion.Florida Department of Education Mission Statement:Every day the Department of Education works hand in hand with parents, teachers, educators, and community members to improve Florida's education system for students of all backgrounds and abilities. Our site reflects the cooperative relationship and the role that so many Floridians play in ensuring student success. The FDOE's mission for Florida's Early Learning-20 education system is to increase the proficiency of all student within one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued students, parents, and communities.Working for the State of Florida has benefits!State Group Insurance coverage options+ Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Eligibility required) Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities) Retirement plan options, including employer contributions ( www.myfrs.com ) Annual and Sick Leave Benefits Flexible Spending Accounts Ongoing comprehensive training provided Career Growth Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits Highly skilled, professional environmentLeave Information:(CS) Annual Leave: All full-time Career Service employees filling established positions earn annual leave in varying increments dependent upon years of creditable service. Employees with up to 5 years of creditable service earn 8.667 hours per month, with 5 to 10 years earn 10.833 hours per month and those with over 10 years of service earn 13 hours per month. Sick Leave: Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of sick leave credits per month.Background Screening Requirement:It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 Background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications.Selective Service System (SSS) and Requirement:Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service (CS), or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the Selective Service website.Special Note:Please note that this position requires an on-site schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is not available for this role.Applicant Information & Hiring Requirements:Your Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety. Work History (in easy to review chronological order) Consists of: Any position held by a State of Florida agency Any position held by a Florida University All periods of employment from high school graduation All periods of current or prior unemployment Gaps 3 months of more must be accounted for* Any Education Any Volunteer Experience Your resume and application must match *Gaps 3 months of more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps. It is unacceptable to use the statement "See Resume" in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will be converted to your official application. Include your supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contract information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment. Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications. The Bureau of Personnel Management reviews every application for prior State of Florida and Florida University work history in the People First system. If claiming Veteran's Preference, the candidate MUST attach supporting documentation such as the DD214 and your VA Letter that reflects level of disability if applicable. Applicable to career service positions only. If claiming Right to First Interview, the candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. Applicable to career service positions only. Equal Opportunity The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority in advance. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. Veterans' Preference. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

Job Description

Program Specialist IIIThis position performs duties under the limited supervision of the Educational Policy Analyst-SES in the State Scholarships, Loans & Grants Section of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. This position is responsible for assistance to professional staff assigned to administer specific student assistance programs. In addition, this position is responsible for communicating with institutions and students pertaining to complex issues on financial aid awards. This position is also responsible for assisting with responsibilities assigned to the unit's Program Director.Duties & Responsibilities:Evaluates Postsecondary Institution Renewal Applications to determine program participation eligibility.Maintains accurate and up to date Institution Demographic Information.Serves as the liaison for State Student Financial Aid Database security, assisting with issues as they arise.Assists in developing systems and reports for anticipating future conditions in applicant criteria and requirements.Develops policy analysis for the unit director.Develops and produces reports which reflect assessment of the applicant data and information systems.Establishes and maintains a computerized database to manage data on student applicants for financial assistance programs funded by state and federal sources including scholarships, grants, tuition reimbursement and teacher loans.Evaluates student applicant data and information to determine eligibility, make awards, and ensure timely and accurate disbursement of funds to all eligible award recipients.Process may also include the evaluation of needs analysis data and academic transcripts.Provides technical assistance at the state level on program requirements to applicants, parents, and schools both orally and in writing including policy interpretation, appeal consideration, and judgments on eligible programs of study.This requires a full knowledge of state program statutes, rules and policies.Analyzes and recommends to supervisor changes that may be needed in program rules or statutory authority and draft proposed language or review proposals made by others.Develops and maintains statistical and demographic reports on program applicants and recipients to provide a current snapshot of the program at any given period.Oversees training, development and materials for counselors and other stakeholders.Assists supervisor in management of all programs in the unit and acts as a resource person for the unit in the supervisor's absence.Performs other duties as required.Minimum Qualifications:Four (4) years of professional experience in business operations, financial accounting, program management.Experience in creating and conducting training courses.Experience with public speaking.Ability to provide work samples of writing skills for grammar, editing and communication review upon request.Preferred Qualifications:Preferences will be given to applicants who meet both the professional and educational experience.Applicants who complete application information and hire requirements listed in the advertisement accurately and to completion.Florida Department of Education Mission Statement:Every day the Department of Education works hand in hand with parents, teachers, educators, and community members to improve Florida's education system for students of all backgrounds and abilities. Our site reflects the cooperative relationship and the role that so many Floridians play in ensuring student success. The FDOE's mission for Florida's Early Learning-20 education system is to increase the proficiency of all student within one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued students, parents, and communities.Working for the State of Florida has benefits!State Group Insurance coverage options+ Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Eligibility required) Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities) Retirement plan options, including employer contributions ( www.myfrs.com ) Annual and Sick Leave Benefits Flexible Spending Accounts Ongoing comprehensive training provided Career Growth Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits Highly skilled, professional environmentLeave Information:(CS) Annual Leave: All full-time Career Service employees filling established positions earn annual leave in varying increments dependent upon years of creditable service. Employees with up to 5 years of creditable service earn 8.667 hours per month, with 5 to 10 years earn 10.833 hours per month and those with over 10 years of service earn 13 hours per month. Sick Leave: Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of sick leave credits per month.Background Screening Requirement:It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 Background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications.Selective Service System (SSS) and Requirement:Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service (CS), or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the Selective Service website.Special Note:Please note that this position requires an on-site schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is not available for this role.Applicant Information & Hiring Requirements:Your Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety. Work History (in easy to review chronological order) Consists of: Any position held by a State of Florida agency Any position held by a Florida University All periods of employment from high school graduation All periods of current or prior unemployment Gaps 3 months of more must be accounted for* Any Education Any Volunteer Experience Your resume and application must match *Gaps 3 months of more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps. It is unacceptable to use the statement "See Resume" in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will be converted to your official application. Include your supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contract information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment. Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications. The Bureau of Personnel Management reviews every application for prior State of Florida and Florida University work history in the People First system. If claiming Veteran's Preference, the candidate MUST attach supporting documentation such as the DD214 and your VA Letter that reflects level of disability if applicable. Applicable to career service positions only. If claiming Right to First Interview, the candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. Applicable to career service positions only. Equal Opportunity The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority in advance. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. Veterans' Preference. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.