Program Aide

Duties Description The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provides high-quality, person-centered services, supports and advocacy to approximately 120,000 individuals with developmental disabilities in New York State. We are guided in our interactions with the people we serve and each other by compassion, dignity, diversity, excellence and honesty. The Bureau of Employee Relations (BER) is responsible for the administration of bargaining unit contract agreements with the public employees' unions, (CSEA, PEF, NYSCOPBA and Council 82). BER represents the OPWDD's Commissioner in the administration of collective bargaining agreements with more than 20,000 state employees. BER oversees the statewide disciplinary processes of OPWDD employees, answers and resolves grievances, provides advice to human resources professionals related to contract administration issues, offers training to human resource professionals and supervisors on Employee Relations issues such as performance evaluation, grievances, counseling and discipline. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Enter disciplinary data, denials, and other relevant data for 10 Districts.
• Monitor and manage VPCR mailbox.
• Collaborate with Districts and OER to gather necessary information for disciplinary cases.
• Support the research and quality assurance team by assisting with RQA projects as needed.
• Distribute incoming mail and handle inquiries accordingly.
• Provide phone coverage when needed.
• Assist Associate Directors of Employee Relations with research related to disciplines when required.
• Maintain paper and electronic filing systems.
• Utilize office equipment such as printers, scanners, and copiers, and arrange for repairs as needed.
• Enter information into spreadsheets and databases accurately.
• Search for information using various sources including the internet.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques to support the Bureau of Employee Relations' programs, such as disciplinary support, training

academy, and research and quality assurance.

• Design, maintain, and update database programs and data analysis methods tailored to the specific needs of the bureau's various

teams.

• Conduct in-depth research on relevant laws, rules, and regulations to identify alternative approaches to administrative problems or issues

within the bureau.

• Monitor and evaluate data for accuracy, completeness, and consistency, identifying and assisting in correcting any deficiencies.
• Collect, tabulate, and analyze data from various sources, including surveys, records, and databases.
• Collaborate with colleagues from various teams within the Bureau of Employee Relations to identify data needs and develop appropriate

analysis methods.

• Oversee and assist with the data entry of clerical support staff throughout the districts, assigning tasks, monitoring workflow, and

providing guidance and training as needed.

• Perform various other duties as assigned.

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Additional Comments This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.

• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.

• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.

• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.

• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.

• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).

• If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.

• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.

• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.

• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.

• Life insurance and Disability insurance.

• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.

• Paid Holidays and Leave:

° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.

• Health Care Coverage:

Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.

• Paid Parental Leave:

Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.

• Retirement Program:

Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.

• Professional Development and Education and Training:

NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.

• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.

• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.