DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Work involves assisting with responsibilities of the Youth Bureau by planning, initiating, coordinating, directing, reviewing and promoting a variety of youth services programs aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency and improving the welfare of county youth. Responsibilities also involve planning and coordinating activities of public, private and voluntary agencies and organizations involved in prevention of delinquency and youth crime and in advancing moral, physical, mental and social well‑being of youth through staff assistance and financial aid. The Deputy Youth Director acts for and in place of the Youth Director in his/her absence. Work is performed under general supervision with wide-leeway for the use of independent judgement. Supervision is exercised over youth services staff. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• 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;
• Oversees the development and implementation of specific Youth Bureau programs and initiatives, e.g. Adventure Camp, SIDNE, Pegasus, Youth Court, Mentor Program, Teen and Young Adult Safe Driving Program, etc.;
• Works with youth to plan programs and events that spread the message of specific Youth Bureau programs and initiatives, e.g. Adventure Camp, SIDNE, Pegasus, Youth Court, Mentor Program, Teen and Young Adult Safe Driving Program, etc.;
• Assists in the preparation of comprehensive needs assessment based upon current issues affecting youths; recommends goals and programs to meet these needs;
• Develops instruments and techniques to be used for monitoring and evaluating youth programs and conducts site visits of Office of Children and Family Services funded programs;
• Reviews Office of Children and Family Services applications and budgets;
• Develops a communication network with local community groups and program agencies serving youths; obtains their input needs assessment and program development issues;
• Researches potential federal, state, and local funding to meet service needs and prepares grant applications for such funding;
• Reviews federal, state and local youth service program initiatives which might be applicable in enhancing Putnam County youth services;
• Coordinates outreach efforts and establishes community liaisons, representing the Youth Director with community groups;
• Provides assistance to agencies and/or community groups in the development of proposals inorder to receive New York State funds;
• Serves as coordinator of the Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Services Program*;
• Provides written notification to County Youth Bureau of any approvals issued for runaway youth, with proper written consent, to remain in shelters beyond the 30-day maximum length of stay;
• Adheres to all NYS Office of Children and Family Services Runaway and Homeless Youth program regulations;
• Assists in the Administration of all funds and grants appropriated to the Youth Bureau;
• Assists in the review and approval of objectives for each program to be included as part of the contract for agencies receiving funds through the County Youth Bureau;
• Assists the Director in the development of three year Comprehensive Youth Services Plan;
• Assists the Director in the provision of technical assistance to municipal and private youth programs;
• Monitors agencies receiving funds to determine contract compliance through reports submitted and on-site visits;
• Reviews statistical information and develops reports on juvenile delinquency and related problems affecting youths;
• Assists in the preparation of the annual Youth Bureau budget and monitors expenditures;
• Assists in the supervision, training and evaluation of the performance of the Youth Bureau staff;
• Attends meetings and conferences;
• Acts for and in place of the Youth Director in his/her absence;
• Attend and/or participates in programs offered, as needed;
• 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 the programs and issues affecting youths; good knowledge of community organizations and resources available providing services to youths; good knowledge of the goals, objectives, policies and procedures of Putnam County and the Youth Bureau as well as applicable Federal, State and local policies, regulations, laws and rules; good knowledge of community organization and techniques; ability to identify critical problems and to formulate program goals and objectives to address these problems; ability to research funding sources and prepare grant applications; ability to develop contracts with local youth service agencies and monitor compliance; ability to plan and organize work and programs; ability to establish and maintain professional relationships; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; integrity; resourcefulness; good professional judgment; tact; creativity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either

1. Master's Degree in social work, education, guidance, counseling, recreation, health, mental health or a related field and two (2) 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. Bachelor's degree in social work, education, guidance, counseling, recreation, 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
3. Bachelor's degree 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
4. An equivalent combination of education and experience as described in a), b), and c) 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 may be required to complete possible field work assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

*Required responsibilities of designated runaway and homeless youth service coordinator, as set forth in 9 NYCRR 182-1.15(c)

1/98; 11/02; 5/09; 2/23

Competitive Class