Program Specialist - Financial Assistance Services

Ramsey County, MN

$74K — $111K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Social Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
  • Five years of experience in relevant programs or services.
  • Two years in a field appropriate to the project.
  • Experience in implementation and evaluation of social assistance programs.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

  • Promote a diverse and respectful workplace culture.
  • Develop and implement program or project plans, including resource projections.
  • Identify improvement areas and develop system modifications or new services.
  • Coordinate with various stakeholders, including other departments and community providers.
  • Evaluate program effectiveness and ensure cost-effective service delivery.
  • Prepare and maintain records on program goals and outcomes.
  • Coordinate training and educational activities for staff and community providers.

Benefits

  • Flexible work schedule options with in-office and remote work.
  • Engagement in meaningful work that impacts the community.
  • Opportunity to collaborate with diverse groups and stakeholders.
  • Professional development and training opportunities.
Full Job Description
Salary : $74,290.99 - $111,436.48 Annually
Location : (Ramsey County Government Center) Saint Paul, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Financial Assistance Services
Division: Administration
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 9/17/2026 11:59 PM Central
Union: Local 151 - Human Services
FLSA Status: exempt

Position Summary
This vacancy is with the Financial Assistance Services department on the Community Services and Supports service team. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department.
The Program Specialist in the Financial Assistance Services Department (FAS) supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of economic assistance programs and Ramsey County Service Centers by serving as a subject matter expert in areas of administering public assistance programs. This role provides technical support to frontline staff and supervisors, including troubleshooting system issues, maintaining systems procedures and workflow processes that promote consistent, efficient case processing. The person in this role collaborates with IT and business analysts to resolve systems problems. The Program Specialist acts as a liaison with external vendors and partners to ensure clear communication, coordination, and resolutions related to contracted systems that support program operations.
To coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of a specified program or project which provides services to clients/participants or employees of the Department to which assigned; and to perform related duties as assigned.

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

Flexible Workplace:
This position is identified under the designation of 'flex work eligible', meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county's flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County's Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace Policy
Examples of Work Performed

  1. Promote a diverse, culturally competent and respectful workplace.
  2. Develop implementation plans, program plans, or performance plans including projections of resource needs for various programs or projects including community-based programming within the department as assigned.
  3. Identify areas that need improvement and support the development of system modification and/or the development of new services.
  4. Survey, study, and analyze existing resources to achieve maximum effectiveness.
  5. Coordinate and collaborate with department staff (including other Ramsey County departments) and with the community, providers, state and regional municipalities, and federal authorities to meet program or project goals.
  6. Develop and maintain the program or project team priorities and work goals to achieve desired results.
  7. Identify needed changes in workflow and procedures and work with managers and supervisors to implement changes.
  8. Prepare reports and maintain records on program or project goals, achievements, methods, utilization, and challenges.
  9. Coordinate educational activities for service providers, concerned community groups and organizations affected by the program or project.
  10. Monitor, analyze, and evaluate the effectiveness of projects or programs including resources to ensure that services are provided in a cost-effective manner.
  11. Plan, conduct, identify, and/or coordinate training on topics related to the program or project for staff (including volunteers and interns), community provider agencies and clients/participants; implement orientation and recruiting goals in order to maximize program or project effectiveness.
  12. Assist in the creation of request for proposals, contracts and Board documentation related to the department project or program, as assigned.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11.

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
Experience: Five years of experience in programs or services related to the department to which assignment will be made, including two years in a field appropriate to the project to which appointment will be made.
Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Certifications/Licensure: None.

Exam/Screening Process Information
The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:
  • Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Program Specialist will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions -do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Program Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 30 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.
Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

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