TESRS - Program Specialist I

Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESRS)
Program Specialist I

State Classification: Program Specialist I (Class Code 1570) B17
Functional Title: Program Specialist
Salary: $4,476.92 (Monthly)/$53,723.04 (Yearly)

ABOUT TESRS:

The Texas Emergency Services Retirement System is a pension system for volunteer firefighters and first responders in Texas.

Click here to see an inside look at the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System office!

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS:

North Lamar Boulevard Building
4800 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 320
Austin, Texas 78756

TESRS OFFERS:

•    Telecommuting options after 6-month probationary period have been successfully completed;
•    Work-life balance;
•    Up to 96 hours of accrued vacation per year;
•    96 hours of accrued sick leave per year;
•    12 holidays + other optional holidays per year;
•    Paid comprehensive medical insurance for full-time employees; State of Texas pays 50% of the premium costs for dependents.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Program Specialist performs routine (journey-level) consultative services and technical assistance work for the Executive Director and Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESRS) staff. Work includes planning, developing, and implementing an agency program. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This position is responsible for the following duties:

•    Performs a variety of technical training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities related to assigned TESRS program(s).

•    Provide support to and collaborates in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of an TESRS program.

•    Design and produces graphics and interactive media materials using traditional and new creative options as part of a comprehensive communication effort.

•    Presents mockups for approval and formally presents final products to TESRS staff.

•    Analyzes the TESRS website layout of internet or intranet pages for efficiency and effectiveness.

•    Maintains the day-to-day operation and administration of TESRS website.

•    Serves as liaison to staff, government agencies, fire departments, or the public to assist in explaining program specifics and requirements.

•    Markets TESRS program(s) to community and fire departments to encourage and/or improve interest in the TESRS program(s).

Accessibility Coordinator:

•    Analyzes web content for accessibility, recommends changes to make content accessible, and remediates accessibility issues.

•    Test and remediate various information communication technology formats, including PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, websites, desktop applications, and mobile applications, to meet accessibility standards.

•    Ensures implementation of industry best practices for accessibility services for digital content and Electronic Information Resources, such as brochures, flyers, webpages, documents, forms, and training materials.

•    Provides coaching and mentoring to team members to improve accessibility knowledge throughout the agency.

•    Participates in the development and delivery of instructional materials, aids and manuals to meet training needs

•    Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and agency procedures, polices, rules, and laws.

•    May perform quality assurance testing on TESRS Online Database.

•    Performs related work as assigned.

WORK HOURS:

Eight-hour work schedule between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 40-hour week, Monday – Friday.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

New employees will be evaluated after six months of employment. The next time new employees will be evaluated is after their first 12 months of employment with that evaluation covering the entire 12-month period.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

•    Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in communication design, fine arts, graphic design, visual arts, or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.
•    One (1) year of experience in performing a variety of office and/or administrative support work.
•    One (1) year of experience in customer service.
•    One (1) year of experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) to produce documents, reports, forms and presentations.
•    One (1) year of experience in evaluating and improving digital content for compliance with accessibility standards, assistive technologies, and inclusive design practices.
•    One (1) year of experience in graphic arts and multimedia production.
•    One (1) year of experience in maintaining websites, troubleshooting basic technical issues, updating content, and working with web servers, HTML/CSS, and content management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
•    General office and computer equipment;
•    Spelling, punctuation, and grammar;
•    Principles of good customer service;
•    Training and marketing techniques;
•    Local, state, and federal laws relating to accessibility;
•    Web, application, and accessibility technologies; 
•    Basic research methods and tools, and data visualization tools;
•    Visual analysis and color sampling;
•    Techniques used in the design of web applications, and programming languages. 
•    Graphic and multimedia design.

Ability to:
•    Market programs;
•    Analyze and solve complex and difficult problems of accessibility;
•    Use various accessibility applications
•    Design web pages;
•    Handle multiple projects;
•    Schedule, test and install web pages;
•    Plan the preparation of graphic design and multimedia design projects;
•    Design and produce graphics and interactive media materials
•    Work well independently, and as a member of a team;
•    Communicate clearly;
•    Prioritize and manage multiple tasks;
•    Problem solve;
•    Work under moderate supervision and exercise initiative.

Skill in:
•    Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint (Reports, Formatting, Presentation, and Accessibility);
•    Adobe Acrobat PDF (create, edit PDFs, and accessibility);
•    Wix Website Software (create, edit, accessibility);
•    Social media platforms;
•    Computer programming in modifying or developing programs for computer applications;
•    Graphic design software and multimedia packages;
•    Problem solving/troubleshooting and researching information;
•    Using office equipment such as personal computers, printers, facsimile, scanner and multi-line telephone system; and
•    Patience and Courtesy.

MILITARY’S PREFERENCE:

To receive military's preference a copy of your DD214 (Member 4) is required.

Veterans, Reservist or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties that fall within the essential duties of the job position or other related fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the qualifications for this position.

If selected for the position the following must be provided for proof of military’ preference:

•    Veteran must provide form DD 214
•    Surviving Spouse or Orphan must provide DD 1300 or DD 214.  

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes that may correspond to the state classification title for this position are listed on the State Auditor’s Office Job Descriptions; click on the occupational category for the position. Additional MOS can be found at the State Auditor’s Office Military Crosswalk Guide. The Texas Veterans Commission provides helpful employment information Go to: http://www.texasskillstowork.com, http://www.onetonline.org, https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/ or www.careeronestop.org for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements and skill sets.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS:

Work in Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile.

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment (month/year) and hours worked per week, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application will be considered incomplete. Applications with “See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state ‘unknown’ for any incomplete fields.

The TESRS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, martial status, disability, gender identity.