Jurisdiction: Cortland County

Jurisdictional Class: Competitive

Adopted: 10/20/05

Revised: 04/29/10

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 including accounting, collection and billing, fiscal and statistical reporting, record keeping, quality assurance, responsible for program areas including investigation and child support, 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 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 and information technology operations;

Establishes and monitors practices and procedures to ensure the accurate and timely creation and execution of billing and revenue collection activities;

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;

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 information technology 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;

Collects budget-data and prepares budget or meets with department personnel and other County officials to coordinate budget preparation;

Consults with the County Attorney and makes recommendations to the county department head regarding services for which the department contracts;

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;

Monitors agency operations to ensure compliance with Federal, State and local regulatory guidelines;

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;

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES – contd. 2

Meets with information technology personnel and/or outside vendors to identify information technology needs and services;

Conducts training for staff regarding operational changes;

Prepares reports and analysis of agency operations;

Develops programs and establishes policy for the effective operation of the agency;

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:

(a) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college, university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor's degree or higher, including or supplemented by twelve (12) semester credit hours in accounting and/or business administration and six (6) years of experience in business, financial administration or accounting, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity; or

(b) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college, university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s degree or higher, including or supplemented by twelve (12) semester credit hours in accounting and/or business administration and eight (8) years of experience as defined in (a), two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity; or

(c) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a) and (b).