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Commissioner of Social Services Page 1 I 3 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Non-Competitive Adopted: 10/20/05 Amended: 10/24/22 COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for administering a variety of programs such as children and family services, adult services, foster care, income maintenance programs, support services as well as others defined in the Social Services Law. As the chief administrator of the Department, the Commissioner must organize, direct and coordinate the work of all employees, both professional and non-professional, to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Department’s multiple programs. The Commissioner has complete control, subject to financial limitations imposed by the County Legislature, over Department operations and direction of personnel. Major objectives of the Commissioner and the Department are to provide adequately for those unable to maintain themselves and to administer such care, treatment and service as may protect the well-being of such persons. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the County Administrator and general direction of the County Legislature. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Implements State and Federal laws and rules in a local Department of Social Services by formulating local policies and procedures in accordance with the laws and rules and consistent with the needs of community; Administers all program phases of a Social Services Department by planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the work of the various units of administration for efficient and effective operation; Identifies key department issues and develops strategies and implementation plans to address them; Prepares budgets, implements and maintains fiscal controls in accordance to State and Federal laws and rules and submits reports to the County Legislature and the State; Determines personnel requirements, and is responsible for the appointment and discipline of staff in compliance with State Law and local Civil Service rules; Oversees the organization and administration of a comprehensive and effective staff development program, including in-service training and appropriate use of other educational resources as well as the State’s educational leave program; Cooperates with representatives of all State agencies necessary in the operation and development of the local district program, and directs the preparation and submission of required reports to the State; Provides public relations with respect to social services programs by interpreting the laws and rules, which governs the local department programs; Cooperates with other agencies, public and private, officials and citizens in planning for community service; Responsible for the operation and maintenance of foster homes, group homes, and other institutions as dictated by the needs of the community, by developing and administering policies and procedures in operating such facilities that are consistent to State and Federal laws and rules; Prepares reports and analysis of agency operations by keeping abreast of the changes in ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner of Social Services Page 2 I 3 social, economic, and legislative trends and the impact of such trends may have on service delivery in the future; Consults with County Attorney regarding department contracts and other issues affecting the County. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of social services administration; Thorough knowledge of State and Federal social services laws and rules and regulations; Good knowledge of public information and public relations techniques; Good knowledge of the grant application process and monitoring; Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, administer and evaluate the effectiveness of program plans and provision of services related to social services; Ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise a wide variety of social services programs and activities; Ability to prepare budgets, operating reports and a variety of other reports relative to program activities; Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs; Ability to analyze and organize data and prepare records and reports; Ability to plan and supervise the work of others; Ability to formulate a local government needs assessment for program areas; Ability to deal effectively with the public; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or higher; OR Four years of satisfactory full-time paid experience in a health, education, or social agency, two years of which must have been in a satisfactory administrative or supervisory capacity; OR Four years of responsible full-time paid experience in an administrative or management position, where there is responsibility for planning, directing, and coordinating the work of a substantial staff working in several units or performing several separate functions. NOTE: 1) Each year of experience as a chief executive officer of a public social services department of a public social services district, within six years immediately preceding the date on which he/she is appointed, shall be the equivalent of two years of the above prescribed experience. 2) Post-graduate training, at a recognized college or university, in social work, public administration, hospital administration, educational administration or business administration, shall be equivalent, on a year-for-year basis up to two years, of the above prescribed experience. However, no such post-graduate training shall be the equivalent of the administration or supervisory experience prescribed in above. NOTE: ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner of Social Services Page 3 I 3 Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee. *The minimum qualifications for Commissioner of Social Services are mandated under Section 679 of Social Services Law.