SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES (PERSONNEL/STAFF DEVELOPMENT)
30547
(Non-Competitive)
The work involves responsibility for assisting the Commissioner of Social Services in administering and directing the human resources and staff development programs in the Onondaga County Department of Social 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 exercises considerable latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent judgment in the formulation of local policies and procedures to effect the agency's goal. 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. 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 Social Services.
Develops communications and materials to assist in the public relations aspect of the department and in interpreting the department's work to the community.
Oversees program development and formulation of department policy for the human resources and staff development functions of the department.
Establishes the procedures and guidelines within which program staff operate to ensure delivery of services and to achieve the agency goals.
Provides direction or decisions as needed in response to staff requests for program information, policy interpretation and appropriate procedures.
Maintains communications within the department to provide advice on standards, to exchange ideas and information and to discuss any matters of impact or consequence within the department.
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.
Develops and implements personnel policies and programs to address needs unique to the department.
Develop and administers the department's training plan, delivery and evaluation including developing and managing the training program budget.
Meets regularly with program managers to assist them in the area of personnel management and to address changes or problems in the organizational structure.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of public administration.
Thorough knowledge of the methods used in formulating and initiating public
programs.
Thorough knowledge of the management of staff development and training programs.
Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local social services laws governing training education in social services.
Thorough knowledge of the department 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 Law, rules and regulations.
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Ability to administer a comprehensive human resources program and training and education programs.
Ability to gather and evaluate information to identify and resolve personnel problems.
Ability to make decisions quickly and independently.
Ability to coordinate the work of others and to establish effective working relationships.
Ability to plan and direct the activities of subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance.
Ability to plan, direct and evaluate programs.
Ability to express ideas clearly both orally and in writing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
(A) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Masters degree in Education, Personnel Administration, Human Resources, Employee Relations, Public Administration or a closely related field and three (3) years of professional level experience, or its part time equivalent, in the field of human resources management which must have included some staff development and training, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or,
(B) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of regents to grant degrees with a Baccalaureate degree and four (4) years of professional level experience, or its part time equivalent, in the field of human resources management which must have included some staff development and training, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or,
(C) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of regents to grant degrees with an Associates degree and six (6) years of professional level experience, or its part time equivalent, in the field of human resources management which must have included some staff development and training, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or,
Eight (8) years of professional level experience, or its part time equivalent, in the field of human
resources management, which must have included some staff development and training, one (1) year of which
must have been in a supervisory capacity.
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 or New York State registered college or university may be substituted for the non-supervisory 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.
06/2010 Revised