New York State Department of Civil Service
Division of Classification & Compensation
Occ. Code 8313100
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 1, Grade 18 8313100
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 2, Grade 23 8313200
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 3, M-2 8313300
Brief Description of Class Series
Business Enterprise Program Specialists provide oversight and guidance to legally blind managers of small retail facilities, such as a news stand, snack bar or cafeteria, established by the New York State Commission for the Blind and located across New York State. Incumbents supervise these individuals ensuring that their businesses are run in accordance with accepted practices, State and federal guidelines, and the policies of the Business Enterprise Program of the New York State Commission for the Blind. These positions are only classified at the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
Distinguishing Characteristics
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 1: full performance level; under the supervision of a Business Enterprise Program Specialist 2, independently performs the full range of duties associated with ensuring the effective and profitable operation of a group of Business Enterprise Program facilities by legally blind managers. The activities of the class are characterized by field inspections and supervisory visits; resolving management and personnel problems resulting from the facility operation; arranging for the set-up and refurbishment of facilities; and the selection and training of managers.
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 2: supervisory level; under the general direction of the Business Enterprise Program Specialist 3, uses technical skills in either a supervisory capacity, in the development of policy and procedures, or in managing a variety of contractual issues to ensure effective program operation. In the Regional Offices, positions are characterized by supervisory responsibility for several Business Enterprise Program Specialists 1. They manage the Regional Office and oversee the development and coordination of the program with other agencies in the State. Central Office staff do not typically supervise. They assist in legislative review, policy and programmatic development and contract management.
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 3: managerial level; under the general direction of executive staff, plans, administers and manages the Business Enterprise Program on a statewide basis. This responsibility includes supervision over a Central Office staff in the conduct of legislative review and analysis, policy and program development, contract management, and architectural design. It also includes responsibility for three Regional Offices involved in supervision of legally blind individuals in the operation of Business Enterprise Program facilities.
Illustrative Duties
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 1
Supervises the activities of legally blind managers in the operation of their Business Enterprise Program facilities.
· Meets with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors regarding blind persons with the goal of managing a vending facility. Interacts with Counselor during managers initial training period.
· Assists in training current managers and candidates in the Business Enterprise Program Manager training program.
· Conducts regular on-site visits to these businesses to inspect various phases of operations and to identify problems and advise of possible solutions.
· Reviews managers decisions to hire or terminate vending site employees; consults with Business Enterprise Program Specialist 2 concerning possible intervention in managers decision, where appropriate.
· Reviews delivery and disposition of supplies and inventory maintenance procedures to ensure adherence to State and federal procedures.
· Ensures compliance with all health and sanitation codes.
· Reviews and evaluates the business practices of the manager to determine areas of inadequacies and works with the manager to develop and implement improvements.
· Analyzes financial reports to identify potential problems; monitors fiscal stability of each business and employs corrective action where problems are identified.
· Meets with building managers to discuss and resolve problems to ensure the continuation of the businesss operation and mediates differences between managers and business clientele.
· Evaluates equipment needs, procures equipment and monitors its maintenance to ensure that the managers needs are met.
· Prepares annual written evaluations of managers performance.
· Places managers on probationary status when performance is deficient and improvement is not demonstrated. Recommends revocation of license to operate vending facility, when appropriate, resulting in termination of the managers employment.
· Interprets and implements policies and procedures for Commission-owned business operations within the Region.
Proposes the establishment of new locations for Business Enterprise Program facilities.
· Surveys assigned geographic territory to determine the potential for new business locations.
· Conducts negotiations for new locations with federal, State, county and municipal officials and private company executives to obtain approval for establishment of facilities.
· Meets with building management to discuss technical needs of the location and clientele so appropriate business can be selected.
· Monitors on-site construction and works with builders and other State agency staff to resolve construction problems during the development of a new business.
· Evaluates store layouts for efficiency, to maximize space, improve traffic flow and market products, in existing and new facilities construction.
Serves as a liaison with host agencies, consumers, private vendors, and governmental regulatory agencies to maintain program goals.
Prepares and maintains required reports and documents in program files.
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 2
In a Regional Office setting:
Supervises Business Enterprise Program Specialists 1 overseeing the operation and establishment of a group of facilities.
· Assigns work and develops performance criteria for subordinate staff; provides staff with ongoing training to enable them to meet the established performance criteria.
· Meets with staff to identify and resolve problems to improve the operations and profit of businesses.
· Monitors performance of staff through periodic reviews, weekly itineraries, daily logs, case notes and supervisory visit reports.
· Reviews and approves all purchase order requests for new equipment, replacement equipment and equipment repair.
· Reviews and approves designs and plans for new facilities and refurbishment of existing facilities.
· Acts as office manager of a Regional Office and is responsible for all factors pertaining to the smooth administration of the office including monitoring staff coverage, interviewing and hiring staff, liaison with Central Office, and the procurement of office equipment and supplies.
Resolves conflicts on complex or sensitive issues between the Business Enterprise Program Specialist 1, the manager and the host agency.
Promotes the services provided by the Business Enterprise Program to the private sector and other governmental agencies.
In a Central Office setting:
Assists in the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures.
· Reviews, analyzes and interprets legislation, rules and regulations relating to the Business Enterprise Program.
· Drafts policies and develops operational manual for use by the Regional Office staff.
· Conducts feasibility studies and prepares concept papers.
· Updates and revises the State Plan for program operations.
· Redesigns and revises the Business Enterprise Program Policy Handbook for legally blind managers.
Oversees, manages and administers contracts to ensure effective and timely delivery of services and continued revenue for legally blind managers.
· Negotiates facility design and construction contracts with non-State host agencies.
· Coordinates contract matters concerning the Office of General Services and the Facilities Development Corporation.
· Develops specifications and arranges for competitive bids for revenue contracts.
· Prepares and distributes bid solicitations and conducts pre-bid conferences; evaluates bids and prepares recommendations for contract awards.
· Implements and monitors contracts and contractor compliance; authorizes contract payments.
Oversees and administers activities of the Regional offices relating to the Retirement Plan and to insurance carriers.
Assists in the preparation of the annual budget and monitors expenditures.
May supervise subordinate staff.
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 3
Administers a statewide Business Enterprise Program for eligible legally blind individuals under the Randolph Sheppard Act.
· Develops and implements policy and procedures to ensure consistency in the program with federal and State guidelines.
· Supervises the evaluation of new or revised legislation, regulations and policies to determine the effect on program operations.
· Oversees and assists in the preparation of manuals and the development of program material for use by Business Enterprise Program staff and legally blind managers.
Administers Phase One of the Fair Hearing process.
Administers the Revenue Contract Section of the Business Enterprise Program to ensure expeditious implementation of contracts.
Directs the financial oversight of revenue contract income to ensure adherence to contract language and guarantee revenue due to the Business Enterprise Program.
· Works with staff of other divisions in OCFS to resolve problems and develop corrective action.
· Advises the Attorney Generals Office of possible fraud and abuse and works with them to ensure compliance with the law.
Directs the activities of the Pension Plan for legally blind managers of the Business Enterprise Program facilities.
Directs the design and construction functions of the Business Enterprise Program which includes the structural and cosmetic maintenance of existing retail facilities and proposed new construction.
Represents the New York State Commission for the Blind on committees and task forces concerned with the implementation and improvement of the Randolph Sheppard Act and related regulations.
Performs the full range of administrative supervisory responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 1
Open Competitive: Six years of experience in a retail establishment, food service, restaurant operation, or convenience store. Three years of which must have been in a management capacity in a retail establishment, food service, restaurant operation, or convenience store with a gross sales volume in excess of $500,000 annually. An associates degree or higher in food service management, business administration, or a related field substitutes for two years of general experience.
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 2
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Business Enterprise Program Specialist 1.
Business Enterprise Program Specialist 3
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Business Enterprise Program Specialist 2.
Note: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.
7/2020
KAB