This is advanced professional and specialized work managing a countywide Employee Suggestion Program administered by the Employee Relations Department.

An employee in this class is responsible for the development, implementation and administration of an Employee Suggestion Program designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs of County operations. Responsibilities include defining program objectives, monitoring and evaluating program performance, and providing continuous feedback to department executive staff and departmental ESP Liaisons. Duties include evaluating employee suggestions for eligibility, coordinating and reviewing analyses of departmental evaluations of employee suggestions, approving Recognition Awards, and preparing and reviewing ESP award recommendations for committee review. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment and applies technical expertise in evaluating employee suggestions and in administering a complex employee suggestion program. Supervision is exercised over professional and clerical assistants with responsibilities for various phases of the work. General supervision is received from a professional superior who reviews work through written reports and personal conferences for successful attainment of program objectives.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Plans, directs and supervises all centralized Employee Suggestion Program activities within Miami-Dade County.

Defines and documents scope and objectives of program; monitors and evaluates program performance and provides ongoing feedback to departmental executive staff and ESP Departmental Liaisons.

Coordinates and reviews analysis of all departmental evaluations of employee suggestions for ESP award consideration; approves employee suggestion Recognition Awards.

Prepares and/or reviews correspondence to employee suggesters to inform employees of suggestion status and final determination of award status.

Prepares and/or reviews ESP award recommendations for ESP Special Award Committee review and approval; prepares employee appeal requests for Committee review.

Provides staff support to the Employee Suggestion Program Committee; prepares agendas, program policy statements, award recommendations and program reports.

Prepares and facilitates Special Award ceremonies for presentation of employee suggestion cash awards.

Designs, prepares and conducts periodic training sessions and orientation sessions for ESP Departmental Liaisons, Employee Suggestion Committee members and departmental evaluators.

Prepares and conducts periodic marketing campaigns, promotional contests, departmental presentations and meetings to promote employee participation and management support of the program.

Prepares and updates program literature, manuals and materials; prepares press releases and news articles.

Directs selection of the annual Manager's Grand Award winner through formulation of selection procedures and evaluation methodology, and facilitation of selection committee; designs, prepares and directs the annual Manager's Grand Award ceremony honoring the ESP Suggester of the Year.

Reviews ESP policy and procedures and recommends modifications to administrative order and ESP standard operating procedures.

Attends state and national conferences and seminars.

Provides technical assistance to ESP Departmental Liaisons regarding suggestion/suggester eligibility, evaluation methodology, analysis of tangible and intangible benefits, and/or savings; provides assistance to employees in formulating suggestions.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Thorough knowledge of the organization and operation of a comprehensive employee suggestion program.

Thorough knowledge of the analysis of employee suggestions using complex techniques in industrial engineering, methods analysis and productivity analysis.

Considerable knowledge of the techniques of public relations.

Considerable knowledge of the principles of public administration.

Considerable knowledge of the structure and function of County departments, agencies and offices.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to successfully manage a comprehensive employee suggestion program.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, superiors and various officials of County departments, agencies and offices.

Ability to effectively analyze employee suggestions and determine eligibility.

Ability to make effective recommendations for the review of employee suggestions and determination of award status.

Ability to supervise subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

REV 02/99