Senior Program Specialist

Anoka County offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including advancement opportunities for motivated individuals.

About the role

The Anoka County Job Training Center is seeking a Senior Program Specialist to build and maintain strategic partnerships, lead coordination and implementation for complex grants and projects, achieve program outcomes, and track grant compliance. This role conducts funding research, prepares grant submissions, leads community outreach, and contributes to program planning efforts. The Specialist analyzes data to identify service gaps, recommends improvements, and supports staff while ensuring effective, integrated service delivery.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in workforce development and experience leading teams to achieve organizational objectives. This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with local, regional, and state entities, community-based organizations, education institutions, resource partners, and the business community.
• Develop, implement, and lead service coordination plans for complex grant programs and special projects.
• Determine goals and activities for assigned programs and projects and monitor progress toward outcomes.
• Prepare reports, maintain records, and track compliance requirements in accordance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations.
• Research funding opportunities at the local, state, federal, and foundation levels for programs and services.
• Review requests for proposals and provide recommendations for opportunities.
• Prepare and write grant submissions, including work plans, and track the grant submission process and workflow.
• Manage outreach and community engagement, including orientation and information sessions and community events.
• Coordinate volunteer programs and community groups.
• Participate in planning committees and strategic planning groups initiated by Anoka County and provide recommendations for service needs and integrated coordination.
• Maintain and review project files.
• Develop reports, analyze data and outcomes, and provide program and service recommendations.
• Research strategies for program improvement and identify service gaps.
• Recommend best practices to be considered by Anoka County.
• May provide intensive career planning and project navigation services.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and oversight to assigned project staff on processes, systems, and program requirements.
• Coordinate service delivery in partnership with leaders of service teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience. In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Successfully pass a driver’s license background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with county, state, and federally funded workforce programs.
• Knowledge of labor market and economic trends.
• Experience with starting new programs, improving programs, and/or expanding programs.
• Service delivery supporting diverse communities and program partners.
• Strong ability to analyze, solve problems, and make recommendations for service improvements.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Working understanding of tracking grant funds and allowable expenses.

Work Environment

• Standard office environment with travel to various county work sites and meetings as needed.
• Vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as working on computers.
• Ability to see colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.
• Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required.
• Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work.
• Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs.
• Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment.
• Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Pay

Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 34: $74,214 to $103,896 ($35.68 to $49.95 per hour). Starting rate will depend on experience, education, and qualifications.

Benefits

• 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays in the first year.
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and flex benefits.
• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
• Advancement and professional development opportunities.

Schedule

Full-time, exempt, hybrid position. Expected work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with some days working remotely and some days working in the office at Blaine Human Service Center, 1201 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434. This position may include periodic work within the community for events and partner coordination.

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County may require successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen, DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to conduct such screenings.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, Anoka County thrives because of the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of its employees. United by the mission of "Commitment to Excellence: Through collaborative efforts, we seek to improve lives and serve with care, integrity, and professionalism," Anoka County offers a wide range of career opportunities. The county serves 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner.