PRINCIPAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION SPECIALIST 3763

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class is the administrative supervisor of a unit in charge of planning, organizing and directing the programs designed to assist in improving community relations through community and organization involvement. The incumbent directs and coordinates the programs for improved community relations. Work is reviewed through consultations, conferences and written reports. Supervision is exercised over subordinate Community Organization Specialists and support personnel. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Directs and coordinates programs for improved community relations;

Establishes and maintains contact with private and public agencies in order to coordinate efforts in bringing them together for total community involvement;

Attends meetings and meets with representatives of the community to explain programs in detail and demonstrate the advantages of joint efforts for a better community;

Advises and assists all concerned in developing policies and programs designed to meet the needs of various population groups in the County;

Acts as an advocate on behalf of groups within the various divisions of County or local government;

Prepares various literature and visual aids for distribution within the community to aid in promoting projects;

Meets with members of the community to elicit problems; receives proposals for projects and solutions to community problems; organizes proposals into proper form and evaluates them;

Renders technical and professional advice concerning the needs of the community and how these needs can be met; makes proposals and requests funds from additional resources for problematic areas;

Evaluates programs after they have been established in order to assure that they are producing the expected results;

Supervises a group of Community Organization Specialists and support personnel in achieving goals.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques used in effective community planning; comprehensive knowledge of effective programs used for the improvement of community relations and involvement; thorough knowledge of the needs and problems encountered in community organization work; thorough knowledge of recent developments, current literature and sources of information in community improvement work; ability to establish effective working relationships with public and private agencies and community representatives and to coordinate their efforts in productive results; ability to systematically analyze factual data and community needs and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at workable and practical solutions to problems; ability to prepare reports and informational material of a technical and professional nature; ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of others in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; tact; courtesy; physical condition commensurate with the needs of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Graduation from a New York State or Regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree, and seven (7) years of experience in Planning or Programming in the areas of Community Organization, Social Welfare, Health, Education or Public Administration.

NOTE: Additional relevant education will be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

PROMOTIONAL

Two (2) years of permanent competitive status as a Community Organization Specialist.

R01/10/00

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive

RR01/22/03