HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM DIRECTOR 22043

8/16/90 A

This is the third and director level class in a series of classes responsible for providing central direction to a comprehensive statewide services system in direct support of the agency's mission. Positions in this class direct all administrative and programmatic functions in a division providing comprehensive human services delivery programs. A human services program is defined as a program providing service(s) to a population of citizens with special needs including the mentally ill; the retarded; substance abusers; and the socially, financially, and physically disadvantaged. Duties include supervising the activities of a professional staff, administering a budget, and recommending development or revision of program policies. This class is distinguished from the Human Services manager class by the Director's responsibility for insuring comprehensive statewide program or policy development relating to immediate and long-range goals, quality services, program performance review, resource development and allocation, and systems issue identification that support service implementation on local and state levels through state facilities, contracted services and field service offices. It is distinguished from the Human Services Program Director Senior by the latter's additional responsibility to provide daily operational direction to residential facilities.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of unusual difficulty that requires the provision of services to local government human services programs and clients in state institutions and community outpatient programs. The type of programs include statewide mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse, social services or rehabilitative services. The work involves developing long-range, multi-biennial plans, directing intermediate range (one year) projects, an resolving immediate problems concerning specific locales, facilities, and clients. Incumbents analyze regulatory documents to determine requirements for fiscal and programmatic accountability, to formulate alternate, acceptable methods of providing services, and to coordinate services. Consults with federal, state and local officials to provide advice on methods to finance and deliver new services. Evaluates program proposals and compares them with existing programs to identify potential savings. Positions also provide consultation and oversight to localities or institutions.

Supervision Given: Provides general direction to a staff of program managers, supervisors, and specialists who monitor and assist service delivery personnel, manage special programs, assist in the resolution of an array of difficult problems, and perform technical functions related to service planning.

Supervision Received: Administrative direction is received from a Human Services Program Director Senior or other agency administrator. The position acts indepen-dently to develop services which are consistent with federal and state policies an speaks for the Department on issues to government officials and interest groups. Appointed boards make official policy statements which guide the formulation of procedures by incumbents.

Scope: Directs the accomplishment of a major part of the agency's total mission affecting facilities, contracted services, and field service offices where large numbers of clients are served.

Impact of Actions: Decisions seriously impact the services received by clients who are represented by local advocacy groups. The services provided determine the quality of life that the clients have and their chances for independent living. Careful assessments must be made to balance public resources with clients' needs and their potential for improvement. There is an opportunity to realize large savings or losses and to influence public goodwill.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contact with institution staff, federal, state, and local agencies, contractors, advocacy groups and policy making boards to exchange information and to engage in collaborative efforts to serve the client population.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of agency programs, mission, and goals; client needs and services required to meet those needs; working knowledge of management principles that apply to human services settings.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to maintain cooperative working relations with staff in institutional and community settings, to present facts and conclusions to government officials, client advocates, and the general public to obtain their support, and to direct a professional staff.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work related to mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse, social work, rehabilitation, counseling, psychology, business or public administration, a related human services field.

Level and Type of Experience: Extensive experience in planning and managing human services programs to an identified client population. The experience should involve administrative and programmatic responsibilities for multiple, diverse programs, requiring cooperation across jurisdictional boundaries and supervision of profes-sional staff.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledges and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised, effective August 16, 1990.