8/16/90 A

This is the highest 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, and provide daily operational direction to residential facilities. 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 day-to-day operations of State operated residential facilities, directing the activities of a professional staff, administering a budget and recommending development and/or revision of statewide program policies. This class is distinguished from the Human Services Program Director class by the Director Senior's responsibility for supervising the day-to-day operations of assigned facilities.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of unusual difficulty that requires supervising the daily operations of assigned facilities and the provision of service to local government human service programs and clients in state institutions and community outpatient programs. The type of programs includes statewide mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse, forensic, social services or rehabilitative services. The work involves preparing long-range, multi-biennial plans, directing intermediate-range (one year) projects, and resolving immediate problems concerning specific locales, facilities, and clients. Positions analyze regulatory documents to determine requirements for fiscal and programmatic accountability, to formulate alternate, acceptable methods of providing services, and to coordinate services; consult with federal, state and local officials to provide advice on methods to finance and deliver new services; evaluate program proposals and compare them with existing programs to identify potential services. Positions also provide consultation and daily oversight to localities and facilities. The work may involve interpreting legal opinions through ones own knowledge and through consultation with attorneys,

identifying the impact of judicial rulings on current practices, and enunciating instructions which bring practices into conformity with judicial requirements. The incumbent must address difficult ethical questions regarding conflicting demands such as society's concern for safety, the individual's right to treatment, patient confidentiality, and the state's need for information in order to render justice.

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 performs technical functions related to service planning. May provide general direction to forensic services consultants engaged in the complex work of providing consultation on forensic psychological services to state and local institutions and practitioners. Positions provide functional supervision on a daily basis to directors of State operated facilities.

Supervision Received: Receives administrative direction from the Commissioner, Associate Commissioner or other agency executive who expects the incumbent to exercise a high degree of initiative, act on independent judgment, and operate within a broad framework of state, local and agency regulations.

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' need and their potential for improvement. There is an opportunity to realize large savings or losses and to influence public goodwill.

Personal Contacts: Maintains frequent (daily to weekly) contact with facility directors, departmental personnel in the Central Office and the institutions, staff in the Community Services Boards, UVA faculty, Department of Corrections staff and the Attorney General's office, in order to coordinate and monitor the mental health and mental retardation system, and to exchange information regarding mental health, legal issues and patient management. Maintains occasional (monthly and less often) contact with the Governor's office, the General Assembly, the Supreme Court, inferior courts, attorneys, law enforcement officers, the press, and the general public in order to provide information regarding mental health and mental retardation services.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of mental health, mental retardation and/or forensic psychological services including the conduct of mental evaluations, the provision of therapeutic treatment, and the management of patient behavior. Comprehensive knowledge of the law as it applies to the mentally disabled. Considerable knowledge of the structure of state and local government and the role of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to manage a multi-unit system; 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: Licensure as a Clinical Psychologist may be required.

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, or 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 professional staff.

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

This class is established as a result of reorganization and reassignment of duties at the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, effective August 16, 1990.