SPECIAL ASSISTANT/COMMISSIONER 73155

04/16/92 A

This class is responsible for assisting the agency head by managing issues or programs requiring expertise in one or more specialty areas such as customer service, procurement, or constituent affairs. Positions in this class serve as internal consultants to the executive staff, have wide latitude for independent decisions in their professional area and may be responsible for initiating and managing agency-wide change.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty to identify and analyze relevant factors and develop solutions to complex organizational issues; revising policies, procedures, or regulations to enable newly mandated programs or policies; or altering the organizational culture and structure to improve customer service where customer service is interpreted as both that which is provided to external citizens and organizations and to internal support employees and organizational units. Confers, consults and negotiates with officials and groups such as physicians across Virginia, the Medical Advisory Board, legislators, and agency executives to facilitate consensus and agreement, garner support and commitment, and maintain a unified agency focus. Acting on behalf of the Commissioner, makes decisions which commit the agency to action; and directs implementation. Establishes, implements, and maintains criteria or standards; may prepare and present program evaluations. Organizes task forces and committees. Brings issues and problems to the attention of the Commissioner and the executive staff for action.

Supervision Given: May supervise a unit of administrative or support positions. Work is accomplished through influence and persuasion, as well as by delegated authority. The Commissioner's executive and managerial staff are resources.

Supervision Received: Receives administrative direction from the agency head.

Scope: Work affects all or large portions of the general public, the business community, other agencies, and the entire agency work force, depending upon the area of professional expertise.

Impact of Actions: Effective performance enhances the agency's relationship with citizens and business organizations, and facilitates the accomplishment of the agency's goals and objectives.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external contacts with legislators, physicians, the Medical Advisory Board, clientele, and others, depending upon the assigned area. Frequent internal contacts with the Commissioner's executive and managerial staff, the Attorney General's office, and other state agencies.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of the assigned professional specialty area. May need working knowledge of management/ supervisory principles.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to gather and analyze information related to complex issues, reach sound conclusions, and make effective decisions; make effective presentations and facilitate consensus and agreement; influence and persuade others in order to achieve commitment and support; evaluate programs; and plan and facilitate agency-wide change.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: An accredited institution or equivalent certification of professional competence to practice as an internal or external consultant in the assigned area of specialty.

Level and Type of Experience:

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

This class replaces the DMV Commissioner Special Assistant class, effective April 16, 1992.