06/01/1989 48798

HUMAN SERVICES POLICY RESEARCH AND EVALUATION CONSULTANT

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional and analytical work of a quantitative and qualitative nature in the area of human services involving research, forecasting, demonstration, planning, and policy and program development, analysis and evaluation.

An employee in this class conducts complex analytical projects in the Office of Policy, Evaluation and Development of the Department of Public Welfare which require the application of innovative methodologies and programming for the delivery and administration of human services. Work involves developing policy recommendations, procedures, programming plans, and performance monitoring systems for the Secretary of Public Welfare, deputy secretaries and other departmental executive staff to ensure the efficient and effective management of Department of Public Welfare programs and services. Work includes analyzing and interpreting proposed and new Federal and state legislation or regulations to anticipate effects on programs mandated and funded by the Department; performing and evaluating demonstration projects of an inter and intra- departmental nature; developing and implementing departmental policies governing research, evaluation and information systems; and analyzing, presenting and disseminating information for policy making and executive decision making. Work includes designing and performing quantitative analyses and special studies to support executive policy and program planning; providing consultation to executives and program managers regarding research, evaluation methodologies and information systems development and use; developing and/or monitoring proposals for third party sponsored research projects conducted internally or by outside agencies and reviewing ongoing programs and new initiatives for accountability, performance and impact on clients' lives. Work may also involve responsibility for coordinating the activities of other intra- and inter-departmental staff involved in the conduct of studies, research and projects. Work is distinguished from other policy specialists by the broad policy being developed that is not restricted to one departmental program area, but impacts the entire human services delivery system. Work is assigned by an administrative supervisor who outlines general guidelines and objectives, and establishes project priorities. Employees are required to select courses of action and exercise initiative and independent judgment in identifying policy and program areas for analysis and work completion. Work is reviewed for viability of results and recommendations through conferences and evaluation of reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Analyzes, interprets and monitors new or proposed federal and state policy and budgetary initiatives to anticipate consequences and effects upon the comprehensive departmental programs; identifies and recommends initiating special studies or research and evaluation projects to identify and develop recommendations for executive decisions regarding changes in departmental policies, goals, objectives and program operations for compliance.

Analyzes and disseminates selected departmental data and information in order to inform the department managers and others about departmental programs and services, and to provide objective information about policy and program performance.

Participates in the Department's cyclical budgeting process, preparing the Department's Program Policy Guidelines, preparing Program Revision Requests [PRR] of an intra and inter-departmental nature, reviewing and making recommendations concerning the funding of PRR's, and monitoring, tracking and assessing the funded PRR's and other new departmental initiatives for client outcome, performance and accountability.

Creates quantitative indicators for measuring program performance, accountability and impact on clients' lives.

Conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses by examining the appropriateness and effectiveness of current policy and analyzes national and state public policy and demographic and economic trends to anticipate the need for new policies and develop, recommend or refine human services policies. Conducts pilot and demonstration projects of an inter and intra- governmental nature which include local and private agencies to test policy and program initiatives.

Designs study methodologies, determines data requirements, designs forms and questionnaires to collect data; analyzes data collected using interpretive and statistical techniques such as sampling and regression and analysis of variance techniques, and prepares reports of findings and recommendations for executive decision making.

Directs program office staff and representatives of county human service agencies involved in planning and policy coordination activities and analyzes and interprets information to produce policy recommendations.

Participates in national and state research projects and evaluations of innovative and existing policies and programs by identifying funding sources, developing fund applications, managing grants and contracts, and representing the department in meetings and conferences.

Provides consultation, review and recommendation on selected policy, management and technical issues in order to support and improve human service administration of state and county government.

Provides consultation in the use of automated systems for statistical analyses, data manipulation, graphic displays and report writing. Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques and methodologies for conducting policy analyses, planning, research, forecasting, demonstrating and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of programs and services.

Knowledge in the design and application of quantitative and qualitative techniques to study the impact that changes in program policy and direction may have on the effectiveness, efficiency and cost of program operations.

Knowledge of methods to analyze and interpret quantitative information for executives, program managers, legislators and the public.

Knowledge of data resources used in research, evaluation, policy analysis, planning, forecasting and environmental scanning. Ability to interpret federal and state legislation and regulations governing departmental programs.

Ability to understand the functions, funding streams and organizational relationships of federal, state and county government and public and not-for- profit agencies involved in the delivery of human services.

Ability to apply quantitative methods to human services oriented planning, research, evaluation and other analytical activities.

Ability to analyze policy and programmatic data used to develop recommendations and conclusions for departmental executive staff, managers, legislators and government agencies.

Ability to provide leadership for inter and intra-departmental work groups engaged in the development of departmental policy and the demonstration of new program initiatives.

Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans, demonstration activities and ongoing programs and services in order to make recommendations for improvement.

Ability to analyze and evaluate grants and other funding opportunities for research and demonstration activities, to determine the need for such activities and to recommend priorities for departmental research and demonstration activities.

Ability to use automated systems and their applications to support planning, research, evaluation, analysis, forecasting, scanning and other management activities.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Four years of professional level experience in the fields of human services or health including experience in planning, analysis, research and demonstration, two years of which were in a consultative, supervisory, or administrative capacity; and a bachelor's degree that included or was supplemented by six [6] credits in quantitative analysis, research methods, advanced statistics or related coursework above the introductory level.

                                                                                                                                                            or

Two years of professional level experience in the fields of human services or health; and a master's degree in Public Administration, Policy and Program Analysis, Health Administration or related field that included planning and program analysis, research and demonstration; and included or was supplemented by six [6] credits in quantitative analysis, research methods or related coursework above the introductory level.

                                                                                                                                                            or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.