Administrator, Bureau of Evaluation & Research, Allegheny County Department of Human Services L0236

Definition:

This is highly responsible administrative, managerial, and professional work in directing the Evaluation and Research activities of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

The employee in this class manages the evaluation and research activities of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) to ensure cost effective programs for recipients of the services provided by the various offices within the Department by ensuring sufficient and trained staff for accomplishing the evaluation and research required; by developing and implementing policies and procedures for staff to follow in formulating and utilizing methods and tools for evaluating programs and making recommendations; by ensuring necessary equipment and supplies are available; and by assisting with budgeting for the Office of Policy, Information, Planning, Evaluation & Research (PIPER).

Work involves directing and performing research and development and making recommendations as to programs needed in the community; ensuring growth in the requesting and approval of grant funded programs; analyzing and evaluating the Department's programs for effectiveness in meeting established goals and objectives and being cost effective; developing and utilizing methods and tools for measuring costs and evaluating program effectiveness.

Work also involves assisting with the development of DHS annual plans; developing presentations for decision making regarding approving or disapproving of goals and objectives, program funding and staffing; serving as liaison for the Department in matters regarding evaluation and research; preparing data for reporting, decision making and information for the Executive Director and other Senior Management staff; and coordinating and collaborating with the various offices and bureaus within the Department of Human Services.

Supervision is exercised over a small professional, technical and clerical staff. Work is performed under the direction of the Deputy Director, Office of Policy, Information, Planning, Evaluation & Research and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and the evaluation of overall effectiveness of DHS evaluation and research activities.

Examples of Work:

Manages the Evaluation and Research activities of the DHS to ensure cost effective programs for recipients of the services provided by the various offices within the Department by ensuring sufficient and trained staff for accomplishing the evaluation and research required; by developing and implementing policies and procedures for staff to follow in formulating and utilizing methods and tools for evaluating programs and making recommendations; by ensuring necessary equipment and supplies are available; and by assisting with budgeting for the Office of Policy, Information, Planning, Evaluation & Research.

Directs and performs research and development and recommends programs needed by the community; researches literature for comments on issues and trends relevant to the community and programs; develops forums to gather comments and recommendations from the community, clients, providers and staff regarding the needs, trends and programs; develops and recommends proactive initiatives to meet needs of clients, providers and the community; develops and recommends improvements to programs and initiatives; and assists with the implementation of improvements and initiatives.

Ensures growth in the requesting and approval of grant funded programs by encouraging staff to research and develop programs funded by grants; researches grant sources and requirements; develops programs to meet grant requirements and needs of clients; recommends and requests approval for the grant funded programs; and oversees the process for making application, obtaining approval, and implementing the programs.

Analyzes and evaluates the Department's programs for effectiveness in meeting their goals and objectives and being cost effective by gathering information and data from the programs; collects relevant information and data from other programs providing social services to clients; organizes and analyzes the information and statistical data collected for calculating, comparing and determining results and effectiveness; develops recommendations from the statistical data, results, comparisons and cost effectiveness of the programs; prepares the information, data, analysis, evaluations and recommendations for reports and presentations; and generates the reports and makes presentations as requested.

Develops and utilizes methods and tools for measuring costs and evaluating effectiveness in meeting goals and objectives by researching and obtaining established and validated methods and tools for measuring, evaluating and comparing results, programs and costs; develops and validates methods and tools for measuring, evaluating and comparing results, programs and costs; determines and utilizes appropriate methods and tools for the analysis, comparison and evaluation of the specific program; and reviews results and makes recommendations to improve the methods and tools utilized in measuring, evaluating and comparing programs.

Assists with the development of the annual plans by gathering and organizing information the agency has collected to support the programs and initiatives recommended in the annual plan for continuation, development or implementation; collects and organizes comments from the community, clients and staff regarding needs and trends; writes a description or justification for programs offered or recommended in the annual plan; prepares or obtains additional information as requested by the Deputy Director to complete the annual plan; and prepares drafts and final products as directed by the Deputy Director.

Develops presentations for decision making regarding approving or disapproving of goals and objectives, funding and staffing for programs, projects and services by preparing information in appropriate form and format for appearance and understanding; develops graphs, tables, drawings, overheads and other visual aids to provide information in a clear and concise manner for easy decision making; develops audio and/or audio-visual aids if needed to enhance the presentation; and verifies and acknowledges information and sources.

Serves as liaison for the agency regarding evaluation and research issues by attending meetings with governmental agents, grants agents, contracts agents, agents of other programs, staff and clients to exchange information, voice concerns and resolve issues; responds to inquiries and complaints; and consults with agency's staff to resolve evaluation and research problems.

Prepares data for reporting, decision making and information for the Director and other Senior Managers by maintaining a database on information and data regarding grants, programs, projects and services; analyzes data and information from computer reports and records; develops and calculates necessary or required information and data; recommends improvements in measuring results, researching and evaluating programs, projects and services; and generates reports as scheduled or requested.

Coordinates and collaborates with the Office of Administration, the Office of Children, Youth & Families, the Office of Behavioral Health, the Office of Intellectual Disabilities, the Office of Community Services, the Bureau of Financial and Facilities Management, the Bureau of Audits, the Bureau of Information Systems, and the Bureau of Budget & Contract Compliance.

Supervises Bureau of Evaluation & Research staff by orienting new staff; giving ongoing direction and assistance; evaluating performance; providing or making available training to improve performance in the research & evaluation area; assisting with initiating and implementing personnel actions, procedures and policies; and assisting the personnel office in interviewing and selecting candidates when vacancies occur.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of research techniques and methods and of the sources and availability of information and data relative to human services programs.

Knowledge of mathematical and statistical methods, formulae, and computations.

Knowledge of the media and uses of graphic presentation.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of program administration and of the structure, organization and methods of public and private contracted agencies as they relate to the provision, planning and implementation of human services and programs.

Knowledge of social welfare needs, problems, goals and objectives.

Knowledge of the factors involved in local, regional and state plan development.

Knowledge of component parts of a plan and how these are interrelated in the development of plans for managerial decision-making.

Knowledge of management information systems, data

base management, telecommunications, electronic data processing equipment, and technical support and operational activities.

Knowledge of federal and state regulations and federal, state and local policies, practices, rules and regulations as they relate to community human services programs.

Ability to develop, review, evaluate, coordinate, and implement plans and policies.

Ability to analyze and evaluate complex data involving program plans and operations and make recommendations leading toward policy and method determination.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county, state and federal officials.

Ability to prepare professional reports of a complex nature and to write and speak effectively.

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

Minimum Experience and Training:

Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of evaluation and research, including three years in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a human services agency, and a masters degree;

Or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST09