Public Participation Specialist, Department of Health Services Series
California State Personnel Board Specification
Series established December 5, 1989
Scope
The classes in this series are used in the Department of Health Services (DHS), Toxic Substances Control, to collect and disseminate information with regard to the detection, monitoring, enforcement, surveillance and assessment of toxic or hazardous substances on human health and the environment.
Incumbents in these classifications acts as liaisons between the Department and the community to ensure provision of public participation; advise departmental executive and technical staff on consumer issues, developments, strategies and recommendations; oversee the development, approval and implementation of community relations plans; organize and conduct department and public meetings, conferences and/or hearings regarding community issues; coordinate departmental and/or community work groups and advisory committees which include direct participation; maintain a close working relationship with community groups, local agencies and elected officials; facilitate and advocate communication and understanding between technical experts, impacted communities and the general public; and coordinate/participate in training of technical staff to ensure legally mandated public participation requirements are met.
Definition of Levels
Public Participation Specialist, Department of Health Services
This is the full journey level in this series. Under general direction, incumbents independently perform the full range of, including the most complex, community relations work to ensure that Federal, State and local mandates are addressed toward adequate public health protection in the regulation of hazardous work treatment, storage and disposal. Incumbents provide ombudsman type community relations and facilitate public participation; conduct community assessments and public meetings; advocate or represent public concerns to decision makers; plan and conduct participatory workshops; facilitate two-way communication between public and the Department; resolve conflict so that site cleanup or treatment can occur with minimal delay; provide assistance as needed to responsible parties in the development of Community Relations Plans; approve and oversee implementation of Community Relations Plans and provide training to technical staff on public participation requirements.
Public Participation Supervisor, Department of Health Services
This is the first supervisory level of the series. Incumbents plan, organize and coordinate the public participation activities of the region or headquarters, and serve as a working-level supervisor personally handling the most controversial and sensitive public participation work. In a regional or headquarters setting, incumbents supervise 3-5 lower level staff; serve as an independent staff specia1ist and prime resource; provide public participation training to both lower level public participation staff and technical staff; and participate as a member of the regional management team.
Chief, Public Participation Program, Department of Health Services
As Chief of the Public Participation Program, this is�the full supervisory level with responsibility for managing Public Participation Program staff in headquarters and the regions. The incumbent consults with high level management on toxics, public participation issues and policy decisions; ensures legal and regulatory requirements for public participation are met; negotiates community relations funding with responsible parties; reviews section's contracts, policies and procedures and prepares section budget. Only one position will be allocated at this level to serve as the Chief of the Public Participation Program, Toxic Substances Control Program.
Minimum Qualifications
Public Participation Specialist, Department of Health Services
Either I
One year of experience performing public participation duties in the Toxic Substances Control Program or in the analysis of environmental topics in the California state service while classified at a level of responsibility equivalent to Staff Services Analyst, Range C.
Or II
Three years of professional experience in planning, writing, and disseminating information, at least one of which has been spent either: (1) researching, writing and in dissemination of information on recognized environmental topics, such as, but not necessarily limited to, energy, toxic substances, health science or environmental issues; or (2) providing community advocacy, social work, counseling or ombudsman services to agency consumers. and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a minimum of 12 upper division units in a field closely related to social sciences, communication studies, public policy or interpersonal relations. (Additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Public Participation Supervisor, Department of Health Services
Either I
One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Public Participation Specialist (DHS).
Or II
Four years of professional experience in planning, writing and disseminating information, at least two of which has been spent either: (1) researching, writing and in the dissemination of information on recognized environmental topics, such as, but not�limited to, energy, toxic substances, health science or environmental issues; or (2) providing complex and sensitive community advocacy work, social work, counseling or ombudsman services to agency consumers. and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a minimum of 12 upper division units in a field closely related to social sciences, communication studies, public policy or interpersonal relations. (Additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Chief, Public Participation Program, Department of Health Services
Either I
One year of experience in California state service performing the duties of a Public Participation Supervisor (DHS).
Or II
Three years of experience performing the duties of a Public Participation Specialist (DHS).
Or III
Broad and extensive professional public participation experience (more than five years) related to hazardous waste, environmental or other public health related experience, two or more years of which have been spent either: (1) in planning, writing, and disseminating of information on recognized environmental topics; or (2) performing the most complex and sensitive community advocacy work, social work, counseling or ombudsman services to agency consumers. and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a minimum of 12 upper division units in a field closely related to social sciences, communication studies, public policy or interpersonal relations. (Additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Public Participation Specialist/Supervisor, Department of Health Services
Knowledge of: Major issues and concerns surrounding hazardous waste or other similar environmental public health issues; and communities affected by the issues in California and throughout the nation; applicable State and Federal laws, regulations and legislation including public participation for hazardous waste issues; legislative procedures; the dynamics of community assessments; group dynamics; organizing, facilitating and moderating two-way communication; methods for determining the need for and producing information; utilizing major media communication and other general outreach information dissemination techniques.
Ability to: Communicate effectively with communities, including residents, local agency representatives, elected officials (local, State and Federal), water purveyors, environmental groups and interested others; identify underlying and politically sensitive community issues; work with advisory bodies; coordinate and conduct large conferences, meetings and training sessions; assess community interests and concerns; establish effective information and education communication networks; advise technical staff on�communication skills and effective presentations; facilitate two-way communication under sometimes adversarial or hostile conditions.
Chief, Public Participation Program, Department of Health Services
Knowledge of: In addition to those listed above, should have knowledge of management problem-solving methods such as policy analysis and formulation, resource development and allocation, program planning and evaluation; interagency and interdisciplinary relationships, current trends in hazardous waste, public participation and service delivery; principles and practices of effective personnel management and supervision; techniques of employee training and development; departmental affirmative action objectives; and a supervisor's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to: In addition to those listed above, ability to develop, implement and evaluate complex controversial, sensitive and/or difficult programs, studies and projects; effectively supervise and train subordinate staff; effectively and efficiently manage a public participation program; establish and maintain priorities; and effectively carry out and contribute to the Department's affirmative action goals.
Class History
