See Program Specialist 2.

Positions at this level work under administrative direction, have organization-wide program management responsibilities, are recognized as the program expert and typically supervise lower-level professional program staff. For programs with statewide impact, incumbents are experts who manage two or more components of the program. Program components are comprised of specialized tasks (e.g., reservations, administration, and budget coordination) within a specialty program. Incumbents administer, oversee, and direct all program activities and advise public entities and higher level administrative staff on aspects of the program or make decisions of major significance that may affect the organization as a whole. Incumbents manage program activities affecting an essential service within the organization or activities with statewide impact. Incumbents perform a wide scope of complex duties and responsibilities in the management of a program, exercise independent judgment, have delegated decision-making authority and typically have delegated budgetary authority. Programs include but are not limited to boating, recreational safety and motorized usage programs; statewide energy programs; and delinquency prevention programs.

Contacts and maintains a working relationship with interested members of the public, outside organizations and special interest groups; prepares and delivers speeches, presentations, expert testimony, seminars and/or workshops to committees, legislative bodies, task forces, commissions, advisory groups, and/or public and private organizations;

Prepares budget requests, provides advice and information related to financial status and problem areas to higher-level administrative staff; prepares funding proposals for submission to external state and federal funding entities;

Reviews requests from local agencies, gathers statistical data, conducts studies needed to determine community needs related to the direction of the statewide program; advises external entities on planning, acquisition, legal requirements, financing, and operation of facilities;

Oversees the organization’s efforts to be uniform and consistent with like programs of other states, federal agencies, and provinces;

Conducts or directs tasks to develop, implement, monitor, and analyze program reporting systems; develops experimental designs and plans; selects sampling and analysis methodologies; conducts and/or directs analyses work; prepares and presents technical reports;

Administers statewide grant and aid programs; provides financial and technical assistance to federal, state and local agencies, private organizations, and individuals; negotiates contracts and amendments, evaluates contractor performance;

Assesses renewable or conservation resource potential, technologies, and options for efficiency gains or renewable application, including economic and technical feasibility of programs or projects in specialty fields;

Provides technical assistance and consultative service to clients in development of program activities;
Prepares comprehensive plans, summaries, recommendations, progress or special reports;

May supervise lower level staff.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Positions typically require a Bachelor’s degree and four years of experience, or a Master’s degree and two years of experience, in a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and supervisory experience.

New class consolidates 11870 Program Coordinator-DSHS, 36921 Parks and Recreation Coordinator 3, 46120 Energy Specialist 4; effective January 1, 2006.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.