What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Specialist 3 position at State of Washington Dept. of Services for the...?
Description
Program Specialist 3
Monday - Friday 7am - 4pm
Flexible/Hybrid
Monday - Friday 7am - 4pm
Flexible/Hybrid
**Contact Information: Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan by email jobs@des.wa.gov.
Note: Standard business hours are Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM, and may occasionally require flexibility to meet the agency's needs. We promote a healthy work/life balance. Telework and a flexible schedule may be available upon supervisory approval. Extensive daily travel is required, as well as occasional overnights. The hiring team may make a hiring decision at any time. It is within your best interest to apply for this position at your earliest convenience.
DSB Relocation Allotment: DSB offers, upon approval, a relocation bonus and allotment for those staff relocating and needing to make the move to, or across the beautiful state of Washington to join our team.
Who We Are:
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind is “working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces.” DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation program assists individuals with visual disabilities achieve gainful employment and economic vitality through integration into the nation’s workforce, while assisting businesses with accessibility training, consultation, recruitment, and retention of qualified employees. Together, these services lead to the greater employment of qualified Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision individuals and more accessible and diverse businesses.
DSB is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness-qualifying employer.
Why you would want this job:
In working with DSB, you'll be a part of an agency that is viewed as a national leader in promoting the skills and abilities of people who are blind or have low vision. You not only will be working for a national leader among blind agencies, but you will also be working for an agency that cares for their employees and customers. We not only recognize but value our employees at work and appreciate and encourage them to have a healthy work-life balance to include offering hybrid work schedules. You will have endless opportunities for growth that we welcome and encourage you to take full advantage of.
About this opportunity:
The Program Specialist 3 works daily with the Business Enterprise Program Manager, reporting relevant data and consulting with the manager and staff about typical and/or unusual issues. With the purpose of maintaining positive communication and working relationships within the agency and the program, and gaining knowledge of DSB culture, the incumbent will interact everyday with agency staff, blind operators and trainees, building tenants and facility representatives, contractors, suppliers, repair and maintenance technicians, etc. This may include uncooperative or angry individuals at times.
You will primarily be working in the field, but on occasions in the office. You frequently may need to lift, move and/or transport up to 60 lbs.
This role is essential to continuity of operations and preventing interruptions to customers regarding vending machines services and food service operations in public buildings in times of extended emergent situations. Depending on the situation this individual may be called to assist in the program's food service operations.
The position requires extensive travel, approximately 35% of the time throughout the state (mainly Western Washington). Use of a state vehicle is preferred when working away from the office.
Duties
Some of the duties include:
Provide information and technical assistance to blind operators within the BE Program
- Consult with operators on methods to improve business practices to increase or maintain customer satisfaction rates.
- Analyze business performance of the blind operators' food service operations and make recommendations where necessary.
- Facilitate access to consultation in business practices, including customer service, merchandising, personnel, sanitation, inventory control, procedures, etc.
- Advise blind operators of discrepancies, financial concerns, and responsibilities regarding the paying of taxes, bills and wages, the handling of personnel issues, the care, maintenance, and cleaning of equipment, etc.
- Conduct field evaluations of blind operators' locations to ensure compliance with sanitation, safety, preventive maintenance, housekeeping standards and overall facility appearance. Perform on-going consultations with blind operators on food service operation, business management, best practices, cost controls, menu development, pricing, etc.
- Maintain the program's equipment inventory list for all facilities and storerooms by type, manufacturer, model, serial number, location, price, authorization number, purchase date, supplier, etc.
- Monitor repair of all program equipment done by the operators in their individual facilities and make recommendations on repair or replacement to BEP Program Manager.
- Arrange transport of the BEP program's equipment to and from facilities, storerooms, suppliers, and repair shops.
- Maintain equipment installation and instruction guide files. Manage warranty information and documentation.
- Supervise installation or repair of program equipment by suppliers to maximize the benefits to the program.
- Perform troubleshooting, minor repairs and installation of equipment in program facilities.
- Surplus and disposal of excess equipment according to government guidelines.
- Analyze facility needs and develop workable plans for blind operators' requests for expansion and /or modifications.
- Monitor progress of construction projects and coordinate services and access as needed.
Participate in the training of new recruits and consult with operators on food business systems
- Train recruits on topics including hiring and managing personnel, customer interactions and menu creation to meet current demand, food production, and cost control centers.
- Train recruits in vending best practices and micro market stocking and maintenance.
- Train owners and recruits on how to use new equipment and point-of-sales systems.
- Collaborate with BEP team members to prepare purchase authorizations for equipment and services in AWARE, facility repair work orders through the DES computer system and the surplus equipment through the state's computer system.
- Make recommendations on equipment make and models, obtain quotes for equipment.
- Track equipment arrival times and work with suppliers to meet project and construction deadlines.
- Gather appropriate paperwork (quotes, proposals, spec sheets, delivery sheets, invoices, receipts) to complete the purchase for documentation purposes.
- Collaborate with BEP Manager and staff to make purchasing decisions for small wares and replacement equipment to ensure the facilities' overall operations improve.
- Work with BEP Manager and owners to determine and install security measures as needed at food service facilities.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
[OPTION 1]
A bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, hospitality business management or closely allied field
Restaurant or large-scale food service work may be substituted for education on a year for year basis
AND
Three (3) years of experience as a restaurant manager/owner or food service manager of a large-scale for-profit food service operation
OR
[OPTION 2]
Three (3) year certificate or greater in Culinary Arts
AND
Three (3) years of experience as a restaurant manager/owner or food service manager of a large-scale for-profit food service operation
Preferred Qualifications:
- Five (5) or more years of experience as an owner or manager of a restaurant, fast food outlet, on-site cafeteria, or vending/contracted food facility operation
- Four (4) years of business management experience operating a small-medium "for profit" business or similar experience in hospitality or service industry business development
- Practical application of Health Department food service standards
- Budgeting and best practices for running a profitable operation including determining staffing models and developing food pricing
- Experience troubleshooting and performing minor repairs on restaurant equipment Researching and procurement of supplies, equipment, and food/ingredients
- High level of communication and customer service skills working with a diverse population
- Ability to consult, coach and teach best food service practices
- Advanced level of professionalism and conflict management skills
- Critical thinker with advanced problem-solving ability
- Willingness and ability to listen and learn from others' experiences Promotes a positive work environment
- Proficiency in the Microsoft 365 suite of products and enterprise data programs.
- Professional experience/knowledge with Retail Point of Sale and Vending Payment systems
- Self-starter with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects with competing deadlines and requirements
Supplemental Information
Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment
- Must pass federal background check.
How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.
Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:
- A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
- A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
- A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)
Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify the information provided. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for details, or your application may be disqualified.
Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Services for the Blind, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Union Inclusion:
This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
Opportunity for All:
The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.