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Commissioner of Social Services 1 Jurisdiction: Schuyler County Jurisdictional Class: Non-Competitive Adopted: August 19, 1993; Revised May 25, 2005; Reviewed: July 5, 2011; Revised January 24, 2013; November 22, 2021 COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Has complete charge of a local social services program in one of the 58 social services districts in the State. The work involves responsibility for administering a variety of program such as children services, adult services, foster care, temporary assistance, Medicaid, other benefits programs. The Commissioner has complete charge of the Youth Bureau. The work involves responsibility for grants and grant writing, interacting with local, regional and state agencies, primarily the Office of Children and Family Services to maintain programs and funding. Providing technical assistance to funded programs. Maintaining the youth board. The Youth Bureau maintains programs and advocates for youth in Schuyler. As the chief administrator of the departments, the Commissioner must organize, direct, and coordinate the work of all employees, to ensure the effective and efficient operation of both department’s multiple programs. The Commissioner has complete control of operations, subject to financial limitations imposed by the legislative body, the New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance (OTDA), Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Department of Health and Department of Labor. While the Commissioner directs the operations of the local district following the rules and regulations issued by the four state agencies and the federal government, the Commissioner has a high degree of flexibility in how to implement those policies and must exercise considerable independent judgment in adapting those guidelines to local conditions. Major objectives of the Commissioner and the departments are to provide services to the public who are in need of assistance and to administer such services to protect vulnerable individuals, encourage those able to become self- supportive and promote positive youth development. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: Implements State and Federal laws, rules and regulations in the Department of Social Service by formulating policies and procedures. Exercises a high degree of initiative and independent judgment in formulating and adapting procedures for both the short range and long-range operational needs of both Departments. Administer and coordinate all program requirements for each program area in such a way as to maximize efficiency and effectiveness realizing the full potential of each worker in the program areas and when necessary the need for workers to collaborate across program areas. Cooperates with representatives of from all state agencies and community organizations in the operation and development of the local programs and directs the preparation and submission of all required plans and reports to the appropriate agencies. Is responsible to the public relations of both departments, including public presentations to local group and organizations, interacting with the media, as appropriate Cooperates with public and private agencies, including schools, officials, and citizens in planning how to deliver services to the community. Seek and write grants for programs that benefit the youth of Schuyler County; Responsible for fiscal activities of OCFS funding within the county; Provides technical assistance to municipalities and agencies serving youth; Monitors the overall county regarding youth needs and trends; ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner of Social Services 2 Develops community projects and activities designed to promote positive youth development; Develops community programs and activities designed to curb juvenile delinquency; Responsible for the coordination of Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, which shall include: Develop a County plan with the contracted agency to improve service for runaway and homeless youth and their families; Provide technical assistance to contracted program; Identify, assess and monitor all available county resources for runaway and homeless youth and their families; Ensure that a system is in place for responding to inquiries concerning available shelter space, transportation and services 24 hours per day; Consider requests from the Runaway and Homeless Counselor for a youth to remain in runaway and homeless youth program beyond the 30-day maximum length of stay period; Other duties relative to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act not otherwise specified. Determines personnel requirements, and is responsible for the appointment of staff in compliance with State Law and local Civil Service rules; Prepares budget, implements and maintains fiscal controls in accordance to State and Federal laws and rules and submits report to the local legislative body and state. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of social services and youth bureau administration; Thorough knowledge of State and Federal social services laws and rules and regulations; Thorough knowledge of factors underlying juvenile delinquency ; Thorough knowledge of youth serving agencies in the community; Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, administer and evaluate the effectiveness of program plans and provision of services related to social services and the youth bureau; Good knowledge of public information and public relations techniques; Good knowledge of the grant application process and monitoring; Ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise a wide variety of social services programs, as well as community and agency youth 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. Tact and courtesy. RESIDENCY: Per Local Law 1 of the year 1998, the County residency requirement for the Commissioner of Social Services has been removed. Residency may be in Schuyler or a contiguous county. ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner of Social Services 3 *MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s degree and EITHER: A. Five 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 B. Five 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. NOTES: 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 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. *The minimum qualifications for Commissioner of Social Services are mandated under Section 679 of Social Services Law.