PROGRAM EXAMINER                                                     0741

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class performs studies of the effectiveness of govern­ment or agency operations in meeting programmatic and legal objectives.  The work involves policy analysis, budgetary review, management and operations research, program evaluation and comparative cost analysis.  Positions in this class differ from those in the budget, management and research titles in that the work is multi-disciplinary in nature, requiring the appli­cation of the principles and tech­niques of each of these fields.  The incumbent is primarily responsible for analyzing the quality and cost-effectiveness of government or agency service delivery, rather than the efficiency of internal administrative procedure.  Supervision is received from a professional or administrative supervisor, who evaluates performance through frequent consultation, conferences and review of oral and written reports.  Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

          Collects and analyzes data relative to the performance of government programs and operations;

          Identifies legal, programmatic and management objectives;

          Develops standards and criteria for evaluating program productivity;

          Reviews policy alternatives available in terms of the fiscal and oper­ational implications and the impact on the eco­nomic, social and physical environment of the region;

          Participates in studies of departments and operations for the purpose of determining needed modifications and improvements in organizational structure, program design and administrative procedures;

          Evaluates requested and proposed operating and capital budgets in terms of the impact on the delivery of governmental or agency services;

          Applies the principles of performance budgeting to the budget review process;

          Collects and analyzes data on the economic, demographic and sociological characteristics of the region which have an impact on the development of policies and programs;

          Prepares cost analyses of alternative management systems, procedures and methods of operation;

          Reviews new and proposed federal, state and local legislation to determine the effect on government or agency activities.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of public administration, public finance and budgeting; good knowledge of the principles of management analysis, organizational theory and cost-benefit analysis; good knowledge of statistical concepts and methods; working knowledge of the applica­tion of data processing systems and methods to administrative procedures; working knowledge of the general principles of accounting, particularly as applied to budgeting and public finance; ability to conduct studies of operations and to perform administrative research; ability to analyze complex data and to prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports in the area of public administration; ability to acquire rapidly a good knowledge of the legal and administrative regulations and guidelines related to government programs; ability to establish effective working relationships with public officials and administrators; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

          OPEN COMPETITIVE

          Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree, and two (2) years of experience in policy analysis, budget­ary review, management and operations research, program evaluation or compara­tive budgetary analysis.

 

NOTE:  Additional relevant graduate level education will be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

 

          PROMOTIONAL

          One (1) year of satisfactory service as a permanent Program Examiner Trainee without further examination.

 

R12/14/99

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive

RR1/28/03