Full Text
Deputy Commissioner of Social Services 1 Jurisdiction: Schuyler County Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Revised: July 27, 2005; Reviewed: July 5, 2011; Revised: September 6, 2012; Revised: November 18, 2021 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is an Administrative position and works as a team with the Commissioner in the general administration of the Department of Social Services. Incumbent maintains responsibility for ensuring the delivery of essential, adequate and appropriate human services to the children, adults and families of the county. Incumbent assists in the administrative details of the agency in accordance with agency policy, vision and mission. Supervision is exercised over subordinate staff in all areas of department. The position reports directly to the Commissioner, though the incumbent has considerable latitude for exercise of independent judgment and initiative. Does related work as required. This is a professional management position in the Department of Social Services with responsibility for ensuring the delivery of essential, adequate and appropriate human services to children and adults through the coordination of major program areas including child and adult protective services, adoption and foster care, preventative services and employment. The Deputy is responsible for recommending and implementing casework policies, initiating appropriate procedures and maintaining standards of casework service in accordance with the agency’s policies. Responsible for the planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating and directing of Services staff training and development through the use of supportive staff. Direct and general supervision is exercised over the work of unit supervisors and contractual employees of Department subordinate staff for all units except accounting. Identified as Director of Services per NYS. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: Supervise and monitor staff in the delivery of human services; Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates various functions (case management, technical and clerical) of the various program areas; Researches and recommends best practice strategies and assists in the initiation of procedures. Interprets federal, state and local statutes, regulations and directives- communicating them to staff and assures compliance; Through the team supervisors, incumbent assists in the management of staff in administering and rendering services to promote the welfare of the client; Conducts individual and group conferences with Commissioner, supervisors and staff; Collaborates with Commissioner and Staff Development on staffing, training and funding requirements for programs and services of the agency; Collaborates, reviews and recommends suitability of new projects within the agency; Delegates specific projects and duties to supervisors and other staff; Negotiates and monitors appropriate contracts as delegated by Commissioner that are related to programs provided by the agency; Provides leadership to the agency, promoting a spirit of cooperation and common purpose, while recognizing individual and team Functions as a liaison between the agency and the community, serves as agency representative on appropriate boards and committees; ---PAGE BREAK--- Deputy Commissioner of Social Services 2 Acts as liaison with state/federal agencies, other county departments and agencies related to agency programs; Assists in ensuring that staff has a safe and accident free work environment; Collaborates on the preparation of the Children and Family Services Plan and the annual updates in conjunction with state and other local agencies; The utilization of strong interpersonal skills in the intervention of situations involving workers/and or hostile clients etc.; assessing situations and negotiating an understanding in order to resolve problems. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Comprehensive knowledge of modern principles and practices of social services administration and the ability to apply these in the performance of duties; Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and local public social services laws and programs; Working knowledge of the principles and best practices of social casework and interviewing techniques; Ability to work as a member of a team; Ability to exercise strong interpersonal skills in resolving conflicts between workers and/or hostile clients; Ability to plan, direct, supervise and accept responsibility for the work of others; Ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with a wide variety of individuals with an extraordinary amount of tact and courtesy; Ability to understand, interpret and express the goals of the agency; Ability to analyze and organize data and prepare records and reports; Ability to prepare budgets, operating reports and a variety of other reports relative to program activities; Ability to express oneself effectively both orally and in writing; Good judgment in the resolution of problems; emotional maturity and resourcefulness; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: A. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s degree and three years of full-time paid experience in a health, education, or social agency, one year of which must have been in a satisfactory administrative or supervisory capacity; or B. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s degree and five years of experience as defined in including the one year of supervisory experience; or C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of and NOTE: 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 supervisory experience prescribed in above.