DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is an important administrative and professional position in the Department of Social Services and Mental Health, responsible for the planning, developing, and implementation of County mental health services. Responsibilities include generally directing the planning, coordination, administration and operation of the mental health, alcohol and substance abuse programs provided within the county.  Work is performed under general direction of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Social Services and Mental Health with wide leeway permitted for the exercise of independent judgment in the direction of the various programs.  Direct supervision is exercised over subordinate professional, administrative and clerical staff. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative only)

• Responsible for the day-to-day administrative operations of county mental health programs;
• Responsible for directing, planning, developing and administering psychiatric and alcohol and substance abuse services including but not limited to performing needs assessments, conducting public hearings, establishment and operation of new mental health, alcohol and substance abuse programs;
• Conducts activities to inform and educate the community regarding mental health, alcohol and substance abuse programs;
• Conducts and promotes the prevention of mental health, alcohol and substance abuse disorders through public awareness forums;
• Responsible for developing and implementing Office of Mental Health Report Collection System for both local and privately operated agencies;
• Meets with the various community program administrators to discuss and at time negotiate cooperative working agreements;
• Confers with the Commissioner of Mental Health regarding improvement of services;
• Participates in monitoring grant/local funding and evaluation of services;
• Monitors and applies for grants;
• Review of programs;
• Maintain files and records;
• Coordinates training and preparedness of the disaster mental health psychological response team;
• Provides coordination of the suicide prevention task force;
• Keeps abreast of best practices in the filed of mental health and co-occurring disorders;
• Interacts with individuals and their families;
• Maintains County mental health webpage and announcements;
• Serves and liaison with regional and/or local planning groups;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Thorough knowledge of the modern theory and practice of psychology, social psychology, mental health and psychotherapy; thorough knowledge of planning, administration and coordination of mental health and developmental disabilities services; good knowledge of resources available to treat alcohol and substance abusers; good knowledge of the theory and practice of management and administration; ability to motivate individuals; good judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS*:       Five (5) years of progressively responsible clinical and/or administrative experience in a governmental, private, not-for-profit or proprietary program providing services for people in vulnerable populations; at least two (2) years of which included functioning in an administrative capacity for the management and supervision of a program and one of the following;

1. Possession of a license to practice as a psychologist issued by the New York State Education Department; or
2. Master's degree in social work, and is currently licensed as a licensed master social worker or as a licensed clinical social worker by the New York State Education Department; or
3. Master's degree in psychiatric mental health nursing, and possession of a license as a registered nurse issued by the New York State Education Department; or
4. Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, social work, public health administration, public administration, hospital administration, human services administration, business administration or other related

SPECIAL NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

* Minimum qualification established for MHY § 9.45 admissions process and in accordance with Part 102 of NYCRR Title 14

9/97; 4/09; 6/14; 12/23; 4/24

Non-Competitive Class