SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES (PERSONNEL/STAFF DEVELOPMENT)
30542
(Competitive)
The work involves responsibility for assisting the Commissioner of Children & Family Services in administering and directing the human resources and staff development programs in the Onondaga County Department of Children & Family Services. This is a high level administrative position responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of staff development and training programs, as well as a comprehensive personnel program that will develop and maintain an effective, high functioning work force to successfully carry out the department's goals and ensure the highest level quality service to the clients. Under the general direction of the Commissioner, an incumbent in this class has considerable leeway for the exercise of initiative and independent judgment in the formulation of local policies and procedures in order to achieve the agency's goals. General supervision is exercised over professional, paraprofessional and clerical staff. In the absence of the Commissioner and/or Deputy Commissioners, may have complete charge of department operations and direction of personnel and may act as the Commissioner's representative in public presentations or meetings concerning personnel/staff development issues. Incumbents must successfully pass a background check. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Formulates departmental personnel policies and procedures consistent with current state and federal laws, regulations and administrative guidelines and has responsibility for interpreting and enforcing them within the Department of Children & Family Services.
Develops and supervises a comprehensive human resources program to include the areas of personnel policy management, recruitment and selection, position control, employee benefits, implementing the terms of negotiated agreements, an employee evaluation system, grievances, worker's compensation, etc.
Responsible for developing and carrying out the organization's staff development and training program.
Identifies staff development and training needs through discussions with program managers.
Explores available short-range and long-range training resources, such as orientation classes, on-the-job training, rotational assignments and on-site and off-site formal classes.
Plans, organizes, schedules and coordinates training programs.
Reviews and evaluates effectiveness of training effort through audits of individual classes and discussions with program managers on noted improvements.
Performs administrative tasks related to the management of an office and the mission of the agency.
Confers with program managers, other agency administrators and Civil Service representatives to resolve questions relating to the appointment, transfer or reinstatement of individual employees.
Maintains liaison with program managers in order to ascertain current and projected personnel support requirements.
Supervises the maintenance of personnel files, to include employment information, performance evaluations and comments, and payroll and salary information.
Advises program managers, supervisors and individual employees with regard to applicable laws, rules, directives and negotiated agreements which affect the appointment, promotion, termination or salary of employees.
Meets regularly with program managers to assist them in the area of personnel management and to address changes or problems within the organizational structure.
Develops and conducts employee and supervisory orientation programs for all new employees and supervisors.
Supervises subordinate employees engaged in activities in support of developing and maintaining an adequate and competent organizational work force.
Assists in the administration of the employee relations program, including employee recognition programs.
May personally conduct training sessions on given subjects.
May supervise the administration of various employee-oriented services.
-2-
30542
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of public administration.
Thorough knowledge of the management of staff development and training programs.
Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local social services laws governing training and education in social services.
Thorough knowledge of the department's organization as it relates to its established goals, service delivery, staff development and personnel needs.
Good knowledge of the department's goals, programs and priorities.
Good knowledge of New York State Civil Service Laws, rules and regulations.
Ability to administer a comprehensive human resources program and training and education programs.
Ability to make decisions quickly and independently.
Ability to plan, direct and evaluate programs.
Ability to establish a rapport with agency staff and others in order to gather information about programs and jobs and to interview, select and counsel employees.
Ability to organize and analyze facts and to draw logical conclusions from them.
Ability to identify and resolve personnel problems.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing for the purpose of explaining and supporting personnel requests, recommendations and actions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
NOTE: successful completion of graduate semester hours in Education, Personnel administration, Human resources, employee relations, public administration or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the NYS Board of Regents to grant degrees may be substituted for work experience as follows: Thirty (30) credit hours is equivalent to one (1) year of experience; sixty (60) credit hours is equivalent to two (2) years of experience.
05/2022 Revised