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Director of Administrative Services/Social Services Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 10/20/05 Amended: 04/29/10; 10/28/22; 9/22/23; 5/29/25; 2/23/26 DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES/SOCIAL SERVICES DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for directing the administrative operations of a large county department. The incumbent directs and monitors a variety of agency administrative activities that includes areas such as accounting, collection and billing, fiscal and statistical reporting, record keeping, quality assurance, oversight of program operations in areas such as investigation, child support, income maintenance programs, and contract administration. Works closely with other members of a small administrative team for the purpose of short and long term planning and general agency operation. The incumbent also develops strategic plans to improve department efficiency. The work is performed under the general direction of the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Social Services with considerable leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgement in carrying out the details of the work. Supervision is exercised over the work of subordinate staff. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Exercises administrative direction and supervision over the operations and personnel in several divisions of a large county department including fiscal operations, income based eligibility programs, and information technology operations; Supervises subordinate staff in administering casework and income maintenance services, which are consistent with laws and regulations. This includes fielding problem situations 24/7 hours and days given the life and safety nature of programs; Establishes and monitors practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely budget forecasts based on various expenditure processes involving local vendors, client needs and state/federal funding streams; Develops procedures to ensure accurate record keeping and the timely creation and submission of statistical and fiscal reports required by Federal, State and local government; Conducts individual and/or group conferences with Supervisors and Managers to discuss updates and revisions to the laws and regulations and the impact such revisions may have on the policies and procedures relative to social services programs; Directs, assigns, trains and evaluates the work of subordinate personnel; Identifies key department issues and develops strategies and implementation plans to address them; Oversees and/or manages special departmental projects including audits and reporting projects and joint State and County projects; Monitors service contracts and plans by maintaining on-going contact with agencies and obtaining status reports on programs administered; May collects budget-data and prepares budget or meets with department personnel and other County officials to coordinate budget preparation; Cooperates with representatives of all State Agencies necessary in the operation and development of the local social services district program, and directs the preparation and submission of required reports; ---PAGE BREAK--- Director of Administrative Services/Social Services Page 2 I 2 Monitors agency operations to ensure compliance with Federal, State and local regulatory guidelines and timelines; Interviews applicants for employment, makes hiring recommendations to the department head; Meets with other public and non-public agencies, and advises them regarding program development, gaps in services, and service delivery; May manage the accurate posting and accounting of private citizen money and various state and federal revenue streams that involve different time periods and fluctuating amounts; May work closely with County Budget & Audit office on various reconciliation, process and problem resolution issues between department complexities and count budget system; Conducts training for staff regarding operational changes; Prepares reports and analysis of agency operations; Acts for the Commissioner in his/her absence. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of public administration; Thorough knowledge of departmental operations including billing and revenue collection, record keeping, data collection and reporting and human resource management; Good knowledge of the grant application process and monitoring; Good knowledge of modern office terminology, procedures, equipment and business English; Good knowledge of information technology and its applications in the public sector; Working knowledge of modern methods used in keeping and checking financial accounts and record, including financial computer software; Ability to formulate a local government needs assessment for program areas; Ability to understand and interpret complex oral instructions and/or written direction; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Ability to plan and supervise the work of others; Ability to prepare budgets, operating reports and a variety of other reports relative to program activities; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: Possession of Bachelor's degree or higher, and four years working in human services programs, two of which must have been in supervisory capacity; OR Possession of Associate’s degree or higher, and six years working in human services programs, two of which must have been in supervisory capacity. NOTE: 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.