Senior Program Specialist in Blaine, Minnesota

Senior Program Specialist

Anoka County Job Training Center's mission is to contribute to the success of individuals and employers through workforce development services. We are seeking a Senior Program Specialist to build and maintain strategic partnerships, lead coordination and implementation for complex grants and projects, achieve program outcomes, and track grant compliance. This role conducts funding research, prepares grant submissions, leads community outreach, and contributes to program planning efforts.

The Specialist analyzes data to identify service gaps, recommends improvements, and supports staff while ensuring effective, integrated service delivery.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in workforce development and experience leading teams to achieve organizational objectives. This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position. Interviews will take place the week of August 17th, 2026 for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Pay & Benefits

• Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 34: $74,214 to $103,896 ($35.68 to $49.95 per hour).
• 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more.
• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
• Advancement/professional development opportunities.

Work Location

• This position will work at Blaine Human Service Center, located at 1201 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434.
• This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work, with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.
• This position will include periodic work within the community for events and partner coordination.
• Expected work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.
  
  - 4:30 p.m.

Job Duties and Responsibilities These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Senior Program Specialist.

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with local, regional and state entities along with community-based organizations, education institutions, resource partners, and the business community.
• Develop, implement and lead service coordination plans for complex grant programs and special projects.
• Determine goals and activities for assigned program and project and monitor progress toward outcomes
• Prepare reports, maintain records, and track compliance requirements in accordance with local, state and federal rules and regulations.
• Research funding opportunities at the local, state, federal and foundation level for programs and services. Review requests for proposals and provide recommendations for opportunities.
• Prepare and write grant submissions, including work plans and tracking the grant submission process and workflow.
• Manage outreach and community engagement including orientation and information sessions and community events. Coordinate volunteer programs and community groups.
• Participate in planning committees and strategic planning groups initiated by Anoka County and provide recommendations for service needs and integrated coordination.
• Maintain and review project files. Develop reports, analyze data and outcomes and provide program and service recommendations.
• Research strategies for program improvement and identify service gaps. Recommend best practices to be considered by Anoka County.
• May provide intensive career planning and project navigation services.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and oversight to assigned project staff on processes, systems, and program requirements.
• Coordinate service delivery in partnership with leaders of service teams.

Qualifications and Requirements:
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Requires a bachelor's degree and at least 4 years (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Successfully pass driver's license background check.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Experience working with county, state, and federally funded workforce programs.
• Use of labor market and economic trends.
• Experience with starting new programs, improving programs and/or expanding programs.
• Service delivery supporting diverse communities and program partners.
• Strong ability to analyze, solve problems and make recommendations for service improvements.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship building skills.
• Working understanding of tracking grant funds and allowable expenses.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Standard office environment, travel to various county work sites and meetings as needed.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades and brightness.
• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals,…