Title: Human Services Program Specialist #05221 (HOPWA) - BRHD

State Role Title: Program Administrative Specialist I

Hiring Range: $52,297 - $56,510

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: BLUE RIDGE HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/blue-ridge

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) is seeking a Human Services Program Specialist willing to provide day-to-day and programmatic oversight of our Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program. HOPWA is the only federally funded housing assistance program through Housing and Urban Development (HUD) dedicated to the housing needs of individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

This position will primarily work out of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department but will perform duties in the community throughout the entire district. The BRHD serves a population of approximately 250,000 individuals, encompassing the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson and the City of Charlottesville. The HOPWA program also services Buckingham County. The specialist will also be required to adjust work hours, location, and job duties, and participate in training to meet public health business needs including emergencies.

This grant-funded position will effectively implement all appropriate HOPWA funding assistance, provide case management support to include, performing initial intakes and client eligibility screenings, developing comprehensive service plans with clients to help identify barriers to housing, employment and self-sufficiency, maintain client program compliance, eligibility recertification and income and rent calculations and HQS habitability inspections. The specialist will develop and strengthen partnerships with landlords, realtors, property management companies and community partners. Also, as part of the HIV Program Services team, the specialist will provide rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing and Naloxone distribution.

Program Management - provides administrative and operational program support. Maintains all required documents, files and records in compliance with applicable requirements and policies and procedures. Enters all program related data into database; ensures accuracy and completeness. Analyzes information to make recommendations for improvement. Contacts service providers (medial providers, laboratories, etc.) to provide and/or obtain information related to program services. Completes and submits reports, records, and other required forms within established timeframes. Provides information on community services available to clients (medical facilities, community-based organizations, social services programs, etc.).

Case Management – contacts patients newly diagnosed; offers care and medical case management, according to the standards and guidelines. Motivates patients to attend medical appointments and remain adherent to medication regimen. Through the use of motivational interviewing techniques, identifies barriers that prevent the patient from attending appointments. Links clients to additional services to reduce the barriers identified. Identifies intervention and prevention opportunities.

Grant and/or Fiscal Support – maintains knowledge of grant regulations and requirements as applicable and ensures that program activities and initiatives are in compliance. Provides fiscal administrative duties and supports effective resource allocation. Works to strengthen relationships with community partners to ensure seamless processes and efficient identification of areas of concern. Works with program supervisor to prepare annual work plan for contract renewal.

Training – attends continuing education programs in accordance with development plan. Attends other job-related trainings and programs. Identified learning and training needs related to job performance or maintenance of professional skills. Investigates appropriate trainings and seeks appropriate permission to attend. Uses information gained at trainings to improve personal skill level and shares information with co-workers and team members.

Public Information & Other Duties – works closely with others to develop program support content, such as media campaigns, social media content, and health education materials. Develops educational materials to assist staff in providing health education or marketing available services. May represent the work unit as assigned on committees and task forces and provide updates and summaries of activities and issues from committees. Promotes interagency cooperation and networking among health-related organization. Works closely with a variety of staff to develop effective and appropriate messages. Follows all HIPAA and FOIA guidelines. May be required to perform other duties as assigned; may include functions in support of an emergency declaration.

This is a RESTRICTED POSITION which is solely funded by the Federal Housing and Urban Development Grant. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually. The annual funding cycle is October 1st through September 30th of the following year. Employment is contingent on the continued availability of funding.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge and/or experience with administration, planning, service delivery, and evaluation of principles and practices that support reporting, surveillance, and quality assurance for public health initiatives.
• Knowledge and experience conducting studies and research, providing technical training, developing and communicating information, ensuring compliance with policy and regulations, and maintaining documentation.
• Knowledge and/or experience with data collection and analysis, ensuring data accuracy and integrity, and producing reports.
• Experience identifying, analyzing, and providing recommendations for problem resolution.
• Experience working as part of a team, responding to inquiries in a professional and timely manner, interpreting and applying policies and procedures, and preparing correspondence.
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication, organizational, time management, analytical, interpersonal, and decision-making skills.

Additional Considerations

• Public health experience
• Experience with grant writing skills and/or grant acquisition and management.
• Experience providing leadership and/or supervision of staff and teams.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHS IG Exclusion List check, employment reference check, and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, or other background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists); sex; color; national origin; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer, VDH welcomes Veterans to apply!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year’s seasonal influenza vaccination.

Contact Information

Name: Tammy Richardson / Richard Bolden

Phone: 434-422-4556 / 434-972-6271

Email: Tammy.Richardson@vdh.virginia.gov / Richard.Bolden@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.