DIRECTOR OF EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   04640                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Competitive

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The Director of Employment Programs will evaluate and facilitate Onondaga County’s employment and training programs with the goals of enhancing the learning outcomes and successful transition to employment for employable recipients of Temporary Assistance and SNAP benefits, and the successful rehabilitation or securing of SSI benefits for those with disabilities, all according to Federal and State regulation and local policy and procedures. The incumbent manages programs designed to aide public assistance recipients in locating, applying for, and obtaining employment or job training. The Director oversees and directs the work of all subordinates in developing innovative approaches which address the employment needs of the public assistance population. Designs and controls work activities within the Comprehensive Employment Division. The Director works in collaboration with other public agencies to bring the highest-level services to participants of the program. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Commissioner of Social Services for Temporary Assistance with wide leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in planning and carrying out program objectives. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

           Plans, implements and evaluates the employment programs of the Department of Social Services, coordinating with other public and/or private agencies to ensure comprehensive services to clients.

Ensures adherence to correct administrative policies and formulation of procedures for reviewing, analyzing and evaluating employment systems and programs within the department.

Assists in developing long-range plans to maintain continuous services for effective program development.

Plans, organizes and supervises the work activities of employees assigned to the employment programs.

Interprets Federal, State and local rules and regulations mandated by the State and locally initiated training programs.

Reviews the effectiveness of the department’s employment and training programs for public assistance clients and recommends changes.

Plans and negotiates agreements with public and private employers and educational institutions for the placement or training of employable social services recipients.

Maintains a liaison with other county and community agencies involved in training and placement.

Keeps records required by State and local regulation.

Prepares and maintains records and reports on program activities.

Performs oversight of program resources to ensure direct services are provided in compliance with state and federal Temporary Assistance employment program mandates and locally-established goals and objectives.

Develops agency-wide goals to ensure the program remains effective.

Maintains current knowledge of OTDA regulations. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as well as adherence to the Onondaga County local employment plan.  Communicates with OTDA Employment Services Coordinator.

Collects reviews and analyzes data from local and NYS sources regarding participating and engagement rates, SSI referrals and awards, entered employment, assessments status, demographics of clients served, caseload make up and medically exempt to non-exempt caseload ratio to determine if expected outcomes are on target. Recommend change to program operations based on data.

In collaboration with the administrative team, establishes and communicates agency goals and initiatives; plans and develops strategies to achieve goals and objectives while continually improving outcomes; responds to changes in caseload size and make-up as well as external environmental factors to maintain quality programming.

Oversight of performance of outside agencies under contract with DSS-ES for the provision of employment services to mutual clients; monitors such contracts on behalf of DSS-ES

Coordinates with a variety of other agencies (mental health, substance use, childcare, financial literacy, housing, etc.) providing services to public assistance clients to ensure streamlined referral and feedback protocols.

Collaborates with the administrative team to identify training needs and to plan and facilitate effective staff training processes.

Responsible for Onondaga County’s Biennial Local Employment Plan and required amendments

Responsible for bi-annual employment policy audits and annual SNAP E&T audits

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

           Thorough knowledge of the problems of the economically disadvantaged and the unemployed.

Good knowledge of the socio-economic and educationally disadvantaged population of underserved individuals and families within a community

Demonstrated ability to successfully deliver appropriate services to disadvantaged individuals resulting in improved outcomes

Demonstrated ability to effectively and consistently communicate leadership directive resulting in achieved goals and objectives.

Good knowledge of the provisions of social services law, rules and regulation relating to the employment of clients.

Good knowledge of the interviewing and placement techniques.

Good knowledge of the economic conditions and trends of the local labor market.

Working knowledge of community organizations and human services agencies.

Ability to work in collaboration with public agencies to achieve common goals.

Ability to work with clients in a variety of counseling and vocational guidance situations.

Ability to plan, direct and supervise the work of others.

Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Ability to perform close, detail work involving considerable visual effort and strain.

Ability to prepare and manage a program budget

Ability to operate a computer terminal

 Skill in organizing and analyzing information related to the Social Services Employment programs.

Excellent communication skills both verbal and written as well as skilled in developing and maintaining professional and collaborative working relationships.

Ability to use independent judgment, critical thinking, and active listening to identify complex problems, evaluate situations, and implement effective solutions or processes.

 Good interviewing skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion:

One (1) year of permanent competitive class status as an Associate Director of Employment Programs, or two (2) years of permanent competitive class status as a Principal Employment Counselor.

Open Competitive:

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State Registered College or university with a Masters Degree and four (4) years of professional level work experience, or its part time equivalent, in job or training development and analysis, personnel counseling or placement, public or business administra­tion, industrial or labor relations, or a closely related field, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or,

B.; Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State Registered College or university with a Bachelor’s Degree and six (6) years of professional level work experience, or its part time equivalent, in job or training development and analysis, personnel counseling or placement, public or business administra­tion, industrial or labor relations, or a closely related field, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or,

C. Ten (10) years of paraprofessional or professional level work experience or its part time equivalent, four (4) years of which must have been profes­sional level experience as defined in (A) above, of which two (2) years must have been in a supervisory capacity

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