ALLEGHENY COUNTY C&Y

Definition: This is responsible professional and administrative work directing, planning, organizing and evaluating the work of the Social Service Program of the Allegheny County Children and Youth Agency.

The employee in this class is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and coordinating social services provided through a network of county children and youth regional offices. Work includes responsibility for developing and establishing operational policies and procedures for a variety of programs including information and referral services; service planning; child protective services for abused children; protective services to children in their own homes; services to children temporarily removed from the custody of their parents and children in need of permanent transfer of custody. Work also includes working with other agency senior administrative staff in planning, developing and/or modifying agency service programs and policies; establishing agency goals and priorities; and implementing and evaluating training programs designed to assist professional and foster parent staff in providing services provided by the agency. Work involves responsibility for assuring program compliance with the Child Protection Services Law and Juvenile Acts which apply to children and youth services, provider agencies, the community and to the juvenile court system. The employe participates in meetings with state and county officials regarding agency policy and may be called upon to represent the agency Director in meetings with the Board of County Commissioners. Supervision is exercised over a professional and technical staff. Work is performed with considerable independence under the direction of the agency Director, and is reviewed through conferences, and an evaluation of reports, recommendations and results attained.

Examples of Work: Directs, plans, coordinates and evaluates the Social Service Program of the Allegheny County Children and Youth Agency.

Develops and establishes operational policies and procedures for a variety of programs including information and referral services; service planning; child protective services for abused children; protective services to children in their own homes, services to children temporarily removed from the custody of their parents, and children in need of permanent transfer of custody.

Works with other agency senior administrative staff in planning, developing and/or modifying agency service programs and policies,

establishing agency goals and priorities, and implementing and evaluating training programs designed to assist professional and foster parent staff in providing agency services.

Reviews, analyzes and prepares reports and/or comments on proposed legislation, regulations, or rule changes which may impact on existing services provided by the agency.

Acts as consultant and programs resource to agency staff and other community programs regarding the interpretation of program related federal, state and county regulations and policies.

Evaluates program and staff effectiveness based upon input from administrative and supervisory staff and the preparation of performance evaluation reports.

Meets with representatives of public and private agencies, parents, advocacy groups, police and court officials, public defenders, solicitors, and federal, state and county officials.

Supervises a professional and technical staff.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the principles and practices of program planning, development, coordination and monitoring as they relate to programs for children, youth and families.

Knowledge of federal and state legislation as it relates to programs for children, youth and families.

Knowledge of policies, practices, methods and procedures involved in program development and implementation.

Knowledge of current social, economic and health problems and available resources related to programs for children, youth and families.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of employe supervision.

Knowledge of current labor agreement provisions which affect the supervision of employes, including the assignment of work and overtime, scheduling of employes, handling of grievances, and evaluation of work performance.

Ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and provide technical assistance to agency and other public and private service provider staff.

Ability to review, evaluate and analyze proposals, plans, operations and contracts.

Ability to conduct studies of needs assessments for program development or expansion of children, youth and families program.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials of contract agencies, community organizations, advocacy groups, county, state and federal officials, and agency staff.

Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of a subordinate professional and technical staff.

Ability to make clear and pertinent statements orally and in writing and to speak effectively in public.

Minimum Experience and Training: Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of social services, including three years in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a children, youth and families social service program agency, and a master's degree in social work or closely related human services field.

Date Established or Last Revised

Class Specification - 1993

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST10