Nature of Work: The Program Analyst series describes work associated with the analysis and evaluation of agency programs or projects. The analysis and evaluation is to provide higher level policy and decision makers with factual information to be used in planning, monitoring, and resource allocation.

Definition: An employee in this class performs ongoing advanced work such as analyzing and evaluating projects whose goals and objectives, organizational structure, or funding sources are so complex as to require intensive and extensive review and original and creative thinking in order to produce an acceptable and usable work product. Work involves developing content for the evaluation design which serves as the basis for testing a given hypothesis. Work may also include functioning as supervisor of lower level Program Analysts. Work at this level is assigned with minimal supervisory guidance and employes independently develop evaluation design, and negotiate with administrative supervisor or program officials to establish completion dates. Work involves analyzing programs or projects; synthesizing the data gathered to determine the extent to which goals, objectives, and needs served are being met; assessing the program or project impact; and reporting this information. Work may also involve preparing portions of agency's budget submittal. Supervision may be exercised over lower level analysts, and employes are given ongoing program or project evaluation leadership assignments. Completed work is reviewed by an administrative supervisor for adherence to review and evaluation methods, soundness of conclusions, and effectiveness of results.

Examples of Work: Reviews and evaluates or supervises the review and evaluation of programs and projects with complex goals and objectives, organizational structure, or funding sources in order to assess the extent to which goals and objectives are being met and to determine the impact and effectiveness of the program or project.

Applies intensive and extensive review and evaluation techniques and creative thinking in evaluating the program or project in order to produce an acceptable and usable work product for higher level planning, monitoring, or resource allocation.

Develops the content for evaluation design which serves as the blueprint for the evaluation and is the basis for testing a given hypothesis; determines observations to be made, data to be collected, comparisons and analysis to be conducted, and the standards by which the hypothesis will be accepted or rejected.

Negotiates with administrative and program officials and determines evaluation parameters and methods.

Develops data collection methods and tools for lower level analysts or own use; gathers data, synthesizes or reassembles data collected by others; applies statistical, mathematical, or systems methods to analyze data in order to develop new facts and relationships.

Prepares final work product utilizing graphs or tables prepared by others or self generated and narrative or statistical information; presents information orally, in meeting format, or in narrative or statistical reports.

Reviews agency program goals and objectives, programs and budgets, information from program officials, outside resources or persons expert in area of review, and published reports and scholarly work in order to test validity of program or project objectives against needs served by program or project.

Supervises the review and preparation of Federal, state or local documentation necessary to qualify for Federal or other funding.

Supervises lower level analysts, provides guidance and training in analysis and evaluation methodology and techniques.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledges, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of the use of statistical and quantitative data analysis techniques necessary to conduct analysis and evaluation using the scientific method.

Knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting theory and processes, and their application to resource allocation and programs.

Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in conducting research.

Knowledge of the application of statistical, mathematical, or systems methods of analyzing data for the purpose of developing new facts and relationships.

Ability to devise new concepts or techniques in program/project analysis or to apply known techniques to new and unique situations.

Ability to conduct extensive and intensive inquiry into basic data to discover new facts and relationships.

Ability to learn agency programs and operations.

Ability to read scholarly and informational sources and apply the information to agency goals and objectives.

Ability to independently learn and apply new systems analysis and operations research techniques.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, and representatives of other governmental agencies.

Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, orally and in writing.

Minimum Experience and Training: One year as a Program

Analyst 2;

or

Four years of progressively responsible professional analytical work in program analysis involving the use of statistical and quantitative data analysis techniques in conducting analysis and evaluation using the scientific method; and a bachelor's degree;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Date Established or Last Revised

Class Specification - 1985

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST08