DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is specialized professional social casework which involves responsibility for coordinating the direct delivery of early intervention services to challenged infants and toddlers under three years of age and their families. Additionally, the incumbent of this position is responsible for overseeing proper processing of forms, files, and other required paperwork, and ensuring that work is performed in accordance with New York State Department of Health regulations and guidelines. Work is performed under general supervision of the Commissioner of Health and the Administrator of Early Intervention and Pre-School Programs. Direct supervision is provided to Early Intervention Service Coordinators and clerical support staff. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Interprets Federal, State and Local regulations as they relate to the county’s role regarding children with special health care needs;
• Develops policies and procedures related to the county’s functioning in this area and oversees the implementation of such policies;
• Prepares program budget based on county policies/protocols, State and Federal requirements and assessed local needs;
• Oversees and/or initiates the development of individual programs for children with developmental delays and their families;
• Recruits service providers to whom referrals may be made;
• Visits service sites on a regular basis to ensure that proper services are being provided in the most cost-effective manner;
• Develops and oversees an integrated program of quality assurance activities relative to compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and program requirements;
• Supervises, directs, trains, aids and evaluates Putnam County service coordinators in the administration of Early Intervention program services, as defined by New York State Regulation;
• Monitors early intervention programs where provided through contracted services with individual providers or agency providers;
• Interprets County policies relative to Early Intervention and Preschool Programs to community groups and families;
• Acts as a liaison within the County with regard to providing specialized services to meet the needs of children who are at risk or who are suspected of having or have been diagnosed as having developmental delays according to state regulations;
• Promotes public understanding and cooperation with the objectives of children’s health care programs, such as with various child-find efforts and local community organizations,
• Serves as chairperson of the Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC);
• Collects or oversees the collection of required Early Intervention Program and Preschool data and prepares monthly, quarterly, yearly reports to state agencies and to supervisors of related programs;
• Conducts internal audits of Early Intervention and Preschool case files;
• Attends community meetings, professional conferences, New York State Department of Health conferences and workshops to keep abreast of policy/protocol and current trends in child development, delay and treatment;
• 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 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:   Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, methods used to evaluate children to determine the need for treatment; thorough knowledge of resources available in the community for infants and children who require intervention; thorough knowledge of legal procedures for preparation of petitions and other documentation for Family Court; ability to participate in preparation and implementation of fiscal plan for early intervention and pre-school programs; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professionals and with family involved in early intervention and pre-school programs; ability to analyze, plan and participate in the development of programs that effectively meet needs of children in early intervention and pre-school programs; ability to relate sympathetically to a potentially difficult client population; ability to supervise the work of others; ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing with groups and individuals; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people and agencies; ability to deal effectively and objectively with people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and cultures; good listening skills; social perceptiveness; organizational ability; enthusiasm; initiative; patience; good judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:         

Master’s degree in social work and three (3) years experience in an early intervention and/or pre-school service coordination program.

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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Possession of a license and current registration to practice Social Work (LMSW) issued by the New York State Education Department.
2. Access to transportation may be required to complete possible field work assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

SUBSTITUTION NOTE:  Per NYCRR Title 10, Part 69, §69-4.4(a)(1)(i), verifiable voluntary or part-time experience is acceptable to meet the above described requirements on a pro-rata basis.

*  Minimum qualifications reflect requirements of New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR), Title 10, Part 69, §69-4.

12/07; 4/09; 11/10

Competitive Class