COORDINATOR OF GROUP CARE 3031

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class supervises a number of professional and clerical personnel providing child day care services, or specialized existing programs, and interpreting Federal, State, and local regulations. The incumbent is expected to foster understanding and cooperation with community service providers, the general public, and Department clientele. The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable independent initiative and judgment in formulating care and treatment services for children in group homes. The work includes planning, developing new resources, expanding programs. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level administrator and is reviewed through reports, conferences, and observation. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Plans, implements, and supervises special care and treatment for adolescents who require the corrective or therapeutic services of a group facility;

Plans for development of group facilities and services to be provided;

Plans, implements, and supervises child day care programs defined by Federal, State, and local legislation;

Researches and prepares program proposals and applications for funding of programs related to foster care and day care;

Develops intake policies and procedures for operation of group residences in cooperation with other agency personnel and professional consultants;

Develops procedures for the processing of payments to child day care providers and parents in accordance with Department regulations and local policy;

Develops and monitors group residences and other treatment programs for children and youth;

Evaluates the need for such specialized community services including group homes, group residences, and day care centers through communications with public schools, private and public agencies and professional groups;

Provides technical assistance to agencies and community groups developing or enhancing group care programs;

Develops and monitors purchase of service contracts for group care programs and child care facilities;

Acts as liaison with State and County agencies regarding group care programs and child care programs;

Coordinates the development and delivery of group care and child care programs with representatives of public and volunteer agencies and other community organizations;

Provides technical assistance to agency staff in interpreting Federal and State regulations and department policies governing group care and child care programs.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of social casework; thorough knowledge of children's services administration or client benefits administration; thorough knowledge of the techniques applicable to child placement by social service agencies, especially as they relate to specialized care and treatment for adolescents requiring corrective or therapeutic services; thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and local child welfare legislation and programs; good knowledge of the principles of social group work and community organization; good knowledge of current literature and sources of information available in the field of children's services; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other social welfare agencies, school officials, and professional groups; ability to plan and direct the activities of subordinate professional and non-professional personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; ability to analyze and evaluate case records and to arrive at effective working solutions; ability to represent the agency and to interpret its work to outside groups; ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Either:

(a) Graduation from a New York State or Regionally accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Social Work, and four (4) years of experience in social casework, specializing in children's services, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or,

(b) Graduation from a New York State or Regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree, and six (6) years of experience in social casework, specializing in children's services, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or,

(c) An equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the limits of (a) and (b).

R10/27/98

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive

RR1/24/03