DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is responsible program development and monitoring work involving considerable exercise of independent judgment in planning, initiating, coordinating, reviewing and promoting a variety of delinquency control and prevention programs among and for youth. The Youth Director (Executive Director) must have sufficient access to the County Executive to consult, communicate and advocate regarding youth development issues and programs. The Youth Director works under the general direction of the County Executive and the general supervision of the Commissioner of Social Services and Mental Health*. The work also involves coordination and consultation with the Putnam County Youth Board which may recommend policies and/or plans which promote youth development and prevent delinquency. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Works closely with the Youth Board to advocate for youth with the executive, administrative and legislative bodies and the community at large regarding the development of services and strategies which address locally identified youth problems and needs;
• Determines the extent and availability of services to youth, and the need for expansion or consolidation of those services within the County;
• Prepares and submits plans and comprehensive programs to the County Executive and upon approval, submits such plans to the New York State Division for Youth;
• Oversees the planning, development and conduct of programs of an informational and educational nature to prevent juvenile delinquency, improve the welfare of youths and further youth development;
• Manages office operations including procedures, budget preparations and adherence to policies and regulations;
• Works with municipalities, public and private agencies and groups to encourage cooperation and other conditions beneficial to youth programs and the welfare of youth;
• Prepares and supervises preparation of applications for federal, state and other financial assistance for agencies seeking to develop and expand youth programs and services;
• Supervises the  preparation of news and publicity releases, radio announcements, and other public relations materials;
• Oversees and evaluates programs providing services to youth whether administered directly or indirectly;
• Oversees the compilation of data and prepares reports concerning economic, sociological and other conditions as they relate to the problems and programs for youth;
• Advises and aids agencies in the coordination and administration of programs;
• Serves as coordinator of the Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Services Program*;
• Works closely with others in County agencies to develop and implement county plans and services for runaway and homeless youth and their families;
• Identifies, assesses, and monitors all available county resources for runaway and homeless youth and their families;
• Adheres to all NYS Office of Children and Family Services Runaway and Homeless Youth program regulations;
• Establishes and administers programs for youth as deemed necessary;
• Supervises and assists in the training and evaluation of the performance of the Youth Bureau staff;
• Attends meetings and conferences;
• 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:   Good knowledge of modern methods of maintaining financial and statistical records; good knowledge of modern public relations techniques; good knowledge of community resources and facilities available to youth; working knowledge of the characteristics, problems, needs and interests of youth; ability to plan, coordi­nate, supervise and direct the work of others; ability to plan, promote, direct and coordinate a community wide program of delinquency control and prevention; ability to perform research and prepare reports; ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with a variety of people, colleagues as well as the public; tact; courtesy; initiative; dependability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either

1. Masters Degree in social work, education, guidance, counseling, health, mental health or a related field and four (4) years of experi­ence working with youth in recreation, youth develop­ment, character building, delinquency prevention or similar fields, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity;; or
2. Bache­lors degree in social work, education, guidance, counseling, health, mental health or a related field and six (6) years of experience working with youth in recreation, youth develop­ment, character building, delinquency prevention or similar fields, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or
3. Bachelor's degree and eight (8) years of experience working with youth in recreation, youth develop­ment, character building, delinquency prevention or similar fields, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or
4. An equivalent combination of experience and training as described in a) and b) above.

PLEASE 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 REQUIREMENT: Access to transportation is required to meet work requirements in a timely and efficient manner.

*Per NYS Codes, Rules, and Regulations, Title 9, Subtitle E, Part 165-1.5, “Youth Development Programs Administration.”

12/81; 10/85; 5/90; 2/96; 10/97; 2/23; 7/23; 10/24

Non-Competitive Class