The Planning Analyst will work on the Planning and Innovation team, which is part of the Office of Analytics, Technology and Planning (ATP), Allegheny County Department of Human Services. The department’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of the county’s most vulnerable residents. ATP supports this mission by providing information that supports good decision-making in human services by researching, collecting and analyzing information that supports local leaders in designing effective ways of providing services and improving program quality, including enhancing clients’ experiences with programs and services.

The Planning and Innovation team at ATP is responsible for developing DHS’s strategic plan with senior leaders and aligning those priorities with spending decisions, as well as legislative and policy actions. The team spurs innovation and improvement by researching best practices and working with program offices to design better programs and systems, including securing additional funding through developing and writing grant applications and supporting program offices in procuring and implementing new services and process changes. Planning and Innovation team members are results-focused and have a rare set of skills—they can plan, write, analyze, organize, and coordinate projects. They also are highly-adaptable and collaborative. Additional responsibilities will include:

• Organizing and conducting internal and community planning processes that challenge DHS to use its resources to achieve highest-level of impact on health and well-being of people who are most vulnerable.
• Preparing written plans with clear, measurable outcomes and that integrate programs and meet government requirements.
• Organizing and conducting thorough analyses of program and systems processes and outcomes.
• Researching and writing grant applications for government and foundation funding to support innovation.
• Researching and writing program evaluations and reports.
• Supporting the development and implementation of quality improvement strategies with programs.
• Working with program staff to design new programs and redesign existing ones, to meet specific goals and objectives.
• Researching health and human services issues and developing well-argued recommendations for action.
• Strategic Planning
• Conducting the research and analysis of community needs and opportunities, with a client-centered approach.
• Analyzing gaps in services, performance, and service delivery approach, using quantitative and qualitative information.
• Facilitating planning that engages stakeholders and uses data and other information for decision-making.
• Researching and organizing planning options aligned with revenue sources.
• Framing decisions clearly for leadership and facilitates discussions to arrive at decisions.
• Outlining and writing plans that align with available resources.
• Writing and submitting detailed plans and reports to funding sources.
• Developing and planning quality programming for DHS clients—at the request of program offices (e.g., Children, Youth and Families) and other key stakeholders.
• Researching best practices and gathering data to develop well-informed strategic recommendations to program office leadership.
• Designing new programs.
• Redesigning existing programs and systems, considering best practices and current results.
• Pulling together a team to write formal procurement documents.
• Coordinating projects during their initial implementation and supports the transition of the initiative to a permanent program leader.
• Writing grant applications to acquire funding for innovative demonstration programs.
• Writing annual plans/reports to the state and federal governments and foundations.
• Using research and analysis to examine business processes and recommending how to improve the ways DHS delivers services to people in the community.
• Conducting program reviews, descriptions, and evaluations.
• Developing innovative approaches to solving important problems in human services delivery.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to clearly communicate (written/verbal) with diverse audiences and to work in teams; sensitive to cultural diversity in the workplace and toward clients.
• Strong analytical skills, as well fiscal management/budgeting skills.
• Ability to deliver high-quality work products with limited levels of supervision, within required time frames, using a very collaborative approach.
• High degree of skill in analyzing data and information from various sources and in forming and substantiating recommendations for action.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of flexibility while consistently focusing on the organization’s mission and high standards.
• Willingness and ability to learn and respond quickly on subject areas within the health and human services field.
• Ability to listen to and respect people with varied experiences.
• Ability to facilitate agreements that serve the residents of Allegheny County.
• Ability to clearly and persuasively present information, including presentations of data to stakeholder groups, internal and external to DHS.
• Ability to see how programs fit within the broader aims of Allegheny County DHS,
• Skilled in public speaking.
• Able to thrive in an environment that requires flexibility and multi-tasking.
• Able to sit at a computer for long periods (2 plus hours) and traverse the building carrying up to 10 pounds (files, books, etc.).
• Has both available and consistent access to reliable transportation and is able to navigate in the community for work-related assignments.

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in a related field, plus 2 years of previous experience working in program planning or program development.

-OR-

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

If hired for a position, candidates would work for Allegheny County, Department of Human Services and be employed by Great Lakes Behavioral Research Institute.

About Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS)

In Allegheny County, we appreciate people who think big, act boldly, and care about making a difference. You don’t have to be from here to feel at home, or to make your mark. With only 1.3 million people in the County, it is small enough for motivated people to get things done. Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is a perfect place to get things done that directly affect people in need in a positive and lasting way. We help children grow up safer and healthier, older adults remain able to live independently, and neighborhoods to thrive. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of people in Allegheny County.

DHS is the largest agency in Allegheny County government, with a budget of nearly $1 billion. DHS serves over 200,000 people a year through services that include: Protecting children and youth from abuse and neglect and preventing future occurrences of maltreatment; improving child wellness through family support, home visiting, early intervention and in-home services; providing treatment for behavioral health issues such as substance use disorders and mental illness; managing the care of adults with intellectual disabilities; preventing unnecessary nursing home stays; and services that prevent homelessness and provide shelter and housing for families and individuals.

Why DHS?

• It is innovative. Most recently, the national attention and awards we’ve gotten are for how DHS integrates data and uses them to improve the safety and well-being of children through tools that support front-line staff in making decisions (using predictive analytics).

• DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. Our director has made it his top priority that DHS is “the kind of place where a diverse group of talented people want to come, grow, and do their best work.” This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS.

• It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people.

You can make a big impact here. We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country. But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make their lives better.

“DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.”

-From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – M/F/V/D