Jurisdiction:  Cortland County

Jurisdictional Class: Competitive

Adopted:  8/27/2010

 

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

 

Under the supervision of and in consultation with the Staff Psychiatrist/Clinical Director and the Director of Administrative Services, the work involves overseeing the provision of mental health operations for the Cortland County Mental Health Department.  The incumbent in this position develops policies and procedures, in accordance with State and Federal laws and rules, relative to standards and practices in services delivery.  The work is performed under the general supervision of the Staff Psychiatrist/Clinical Director and the Director of Administrative Services with wide leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in planning and carrying out the details of the work.  The incumbent works closely with the Director of Administrative Services and administrative staff for the purpose of short and long term planning and general agency operation.  Supervision is exercised over line supervisors and subordinate staff.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative Only)

 

Develops and recommends policies and procedures to comply with State and

 Federal laws, regulations and mandates with regard to the delivery of

mental health program services with in the department;

Develops, plans, organizes and directs the various functions of the Division;

In consultation with the Staff Psychiatrist/Clinical Director and the Director of

Administrative Services, interprets State and Federal laws and regulations

as they relate to mental health programs;

Supervises line supervisors and subordinate staff in administrating mental health

services;

Keeps line supervisors, and with the line supervisors assistance, keeps

subordinate staff apprised of updates and revisions to the laws and

regulations and the impact such revisions may have on the policies and

procedures relative to mental health programs;

Ensures line supervisors and subordinate staff have access to the most up-to-

date policies and procedures;

Writes and submits grants for programs that will assist in the provision of

Services;

Formulates and recommends staffing plans and resource allocation for the

Division for budget approval;

Conducts interviews with potential employees, makes recommendation for hiring

and subsequent unit assignments;

Meets with other public and non-public agencies and advises them regarding

program development, gaps in service, and service delivery;

Identifies key department issues and develops strategies and implements plans

to address them;

Oversees and/or manages special departmental projects;

Cooperates with representatives of the State agencies as needed in the

operation and development of local district projects, and directs the

preparation and submission of required reports to the State;

Ensures adherence to specified timelines by implementing processes in

accordance with laws and regulations;

Conducts performance evaluations of line supervisors and ensures timely

evaluation of subordinate staff occurs;

Assesses and facilitates staff training and development needs;

Maintains cooperative working relations with the courts and other community

providers by offering on-going training with respect to changes in laws and

rules and any other issues affecting service delivery.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

 

Thorough knowledge of evidence based practices and implementation of

 treatment interventions and protocols, principles of clinical ethics,

techniques of supervision, confidentiality and privacy, community

resources and referral sources;

Thorough knowledge of State and Federal laws and rules governing mental

health programs;

Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, administer and evaluate the effectiveness of

program plans and provision of services related to mental health;

Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;

Ability to prepare budgets, operational reports and a variety of other reports

relative to program activities;

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Ability to formulate a local government needs assessment for program areas;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

Ability to operate a persona computer and utilize common office software

programs;

Physical condition commensurate with the standards of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS recognized college or university with a Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation or a closely related field AND four years of full-time paid experience or its part-time equivalent providing direct services to clients with mental illness, mental retardation, developmental disabilities or alcohol or substance abuse problems, two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity. 

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a license as a “Licensed Clinical Social Worker” issued by the New York State Department of Education at time of appointment