Policy Program Specialist

Full Job Description

The Utah Department of Corrections is seeking a Program Specialist I to serve as a Policy Specialist in the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB).

The Policy Specialist position is responsible for coordinating the development, review, and dissemination of agency policies and procedures for the Utah Department of Corrections.

This includes working closely with UDC personnel, internal divisions and bureaus, partner agencies, and stakeholders to ensure policies are current, compliant, and clearly communicated.

It is critical that the successful candidate be able to self-manage and be accountable for a large span of duties with minimal supervision.

Principle Duties

As the Program Specialist I (Policy Specialist) in the Professional Standards Bureau, you will:

• Conduct research and analysis on state and federal legislation, court mandates, administrative rules, and best practices to inform policy development;

• Draft, review, and revise agency-wide policies and procedures and administrative rules, while adhering to a style guide;

• Manage the policy review and approval process, coordinating and consulting with policy coordinators, subject matter experts, executive staff, and legal counsel;

• Ensure all policies, procedures, and administrative rules are clearly communicated, accessible, and compliant with all applicable laws and regulations;

• Manage the policy database/repository and ensure version control and archival of documents;

• Develop and deliver training (in person and online) for staff on the use of the policy management system, and new and updated policies;

• Facilitate the review and assessment program for existing policies to ensure ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

• Build data-based reports for division/bureau and executive leadership, including analysis of policy effectiveness, compliance metrics, and program impact;

• Assist with special projects and initiatives as directed by the Professional Standards Bureau leadership and executive leadership; and

• Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Requirements

• Develops, directs, and/or evaluates programs;

• Interprets, clarifies, explains, and applies agency policy and procedures, administrative rules, business practices, federal or state laws and regulations, etc.;

• Analyzes, summarizes, and/or reviews data; reports findings, interprets results, and/or makes recommendations;

• Develops or modifies rules, policies, or standards, etc.;

• Provides training, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions;

• Monitors and evaluates operations, programs, processes, and/or practices for quality and effectiveness; makes recommendations for improvement;

• Develops and aids in implementing procedures in response to agency policy, state and federal laws, etc.;

• Provides technical assistance on agency issues, services, program(s), and/or computer hardware and software, etc.;

• Facilitates the use of research data to improve existing programs and the proper utilization of resources;

• Maintains accurate records of all committee meetings, including detailing attendance and action items;

• May supervise subordinate staff; and

• May require occasional overnight travel.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position has:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal relations skills;

• Experience in policy development, analysis, or technical writing in a professional setting;

• Experience providing training to a group in a classroom and/or virtual setting;

• Demonstrate ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data to inform policy and reporting;

• Demonstrate ability to work as a member of a team and to work effectively with other community agencies in the best interest of the participant and the agency; and

• Experience in monitoring and evaluating operations, programs, processes, and/or practices for quality and effectiveness; makes recommendations for improvement.

Additional Information

• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.

• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.

• THIS IS NOT A POST-CERTIFIED POSITION.

• ONLY APPLICANTS WHO MEET MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED