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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00051632 |
Description Activated On: 12/28/2023 9:45:29 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This position serves within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Community Parks and Conservation Division, Community Parks and Recreation Section. The Program Specialist administers the Small Community Program that provides technical and financial assistance to Pennsylvania municipalities with a population of 5,000 or less. Work includes developing and recommending statewide goals, objectives, and priorities; developing and recommending program parameters, policies, procedures, and guidelines; ensuring program consistency with any applicable state and federal requirements; and conducting evaluations of the program and preparing reports of findings and recommendations. This position manages state and federal grants for recreation and conservation planning, development, and implementation of statewide projects and special initiatives. This position provides technical assistance, outreach, and education to support the program and Bureau Mission. DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC) Mission Statement: To be a leader in establishing community conservation partnerships for advancing the greening of Pennsylvania, for protecting the commonwealth’s natural and heritage resources, and for providing recreational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians and visitors to enjoy. DCNR Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement (DEIB) Statement: To conserve and maintain Pennsylvania’s public natural resources for the benefit of all people, including generations yet to come, we will take intentional action to ensure DCNR lands are accessible to all, provide inclusive and equitable programs and services, and recruit and retain a diverse workforce. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Program Development and Management Develops, recommends, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the Small Community Program to advance statewide Department and Bureau priorities. Develops and leads implementation of the Small Community Program annual work plan to advance priority initiatives. Collaborates with staff, grantees, and consultants to assess the grantmaking process and how best to lower barriers to application and improve capacity to manage projects. This may include application language, scoring criteria, process(es) for engaging potential grantees, process(es) for engaging consultants and/or other grant application/management technical assistance providers, data and technology used to identify priorities, and grant related opportunities. Encourages innovative ideas that promote and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in statewide grant making. Develops metrics and evaluation tools to assess growth and success in implementation. Develops proposals and recommendations for policy revisions that will advance the Small Community Program. Reviews overall progress, results, and effectiveness of the program to develop recommendations for policy or procedural changes. Plans and conducts research into current and emerging trends, issues, methodologies, and techniques related to capacity-building in small communities for park and recreation planning and development and natural resource conservation. Explores expansion of existing technical assistance programs and creation of new initiatives to improve small communities’ ability to successfully build, maintain, and operate park and recreation facilities and implement programs. Collaborates with small communities, organizations such as the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, PA State Association of Township Supervisors, PA State Association of Boroughs, and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, and other interested parties on statewide small community issues, needs, and initiatives. Trains staff and stakeholders on the Small Community Program work plan, policies, procedures, topics, and trends to stay current on best practices and facilitate partnerships. Provides professional and technical information, presentations, consultations and assistance to peers, supervisors, managers, senior management, executive management, applicants, grantees, special interest groups, community groups, consultants and other technical assistance providers, legislators, the media, and the public to educate interested parties on the Small Community Program resources and services. Develops and delivers presentations and workshops for government, civic, business, and community groups and organizations to explain programs, provide technical assistance, and stimulate interest and increased participation in recreation and conservation planning and partnership building. Represents the Department and Bureau on committees, task forces, and ad hoc groups as assigned; serves as a liaison between the Department, Bureau, regional staff and public; and creates an awareness and understanding of the program. Reviews proposed federal and state legislation and initiatives to determine opportunities, impacts on operations, programs, and activities. Recommends program changes/enhancements as needed. Prepares and distributes reports, forms, and materials on proposed legislation, parks and recreation programs, facilities, benefits, and available funding resources. Project Management Serves as the Project Manager for a variety of grant projects administered by the Bureau. Manages all aspects of grant projects to meet established goals and deadlines in an efficient and effective manner. Participates in the Community Parks and Recreation Section grant planning, development, coordination, review, approval, and administration. Reviews and evaluates grant applications for eligibility and conformance with rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines. Reviews project costs, scores applications, recommends project funding, and develops official project scopes. Reviews, analyzes, critiques, and approves technical project documents and deliverables for assigned grant projects. Identifies and resolves issues and problems. Reviews and evaluates requests for payment and requests for grant amendments from grantees to ensure eligibility of project costs, adherence to grant program policies, procedures, and requirements, and prevention of audit exceptions, and recommend approval or disapproval of the request. Participates in developing, presenting, and explaining policy changes such as grant program eligibility requirements, eligible projects, eligible costs, rating and ranking criteria, reporting requirements, documentation requirements, and other factors that affect the management and quality of the grant programs. Schedules regular meetings with grantees to review project deliverables, track progress, and proactively manage issues. Provides guidance and technical assistance to applicants and grantees by telephone, email, written correspondence, and in-person meetings. Directly responds to inquiries or refers them to appropriate Commonwealth staff or external resources. Travels to field sites to meet with partners and perform project site visits. Other Supports the Bureau's Outreach and Educational Services to include providing articles for the Bureau newsletter; and assisting with educational material development and distribution, workshops, and webinars when needed. Collaborates with staff to plan and conduct statewide conferences, meetings, and educational sessions to support the Parks and Recreation Equity Program and recreation and conservation program initiatives. Performs special projects and other assignments as directed by the Section Chief, Division Chief, or Bureau Director. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Work is assigned through broad goals and objectives and the employee exercises considerable independent judgment in determining priorities. Work is performed independently and is reviewed by the Community Parks and Recreation Section Chief and Community Parks and Conservation Division Chief for effectiveness and alignment with the Bureau's grant program policies, outreach, and education strategy. Questions involving policy decisions and issues that are controversial, unusual, politically sensitive and/or unique are referred to the supervisor and/or manager for final decision-making. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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