DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is an important administrative and professional position in the Mental Health Department, responsible for the efficient coordination and direction of all county operated community mental health programs. Responsibilities include generally directing the planning, coordination, administration and operation of the mental health, alcohol and substance abuse programs provided within the county.  Work is performed under general direction of the Commissioner of Mental Health with wide leeway permitted for the exercise of independent judgment in the direction of the various programs.  Direct supervision is exercised over subordinate professional, administrative and clerical staff. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative only)

• Responsible for the day-to-day administrative operations of county mental health programs;
• Responsible for directing, planning, developing and administering psychiatric and alcohol and substance abuse services including but not limited to performing needs assessments, conducting public hearings, establishment and operation of new mental health, alcohol and substance abuse programs;
• Conducts activities to inform and educate the community regarding mental health, alcohol and substance abuse programs;
• Conducts and promotes the prevention of mental health, alcohol and substance abuse disorders through public awareness forums;
• Responsible for developing and implementing Office of Mental Health Report Collection System for both local and privately operated agencies;
• Meets with the various community program administrators to discuss and at time negotiate cooperative working agreements;
• Confers with the Commissioner of Mental Health regarding improvement of services;
• 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: Thorough knowledge of the modern theory and practice of psychology, social psychology, mental health and psychotherapy; thorough knowledge of planning, administration and coordination of mental health and developmental disabilities services; good knowledge of resources available to treat alcohol and substance abusers; good knowledge of the theory and practice of management and administration; ability to motivate individuals; good judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: *      Either

1. Possession of a license to practice medicine in New York State who shall be deemed board certified or board eligible in psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics; or
2. Possession of a license to practice as a psychologist issued by the New York State Education Department; or
3. Master's degree in social work, and possession of a license as a certified social worker issued by the New York State Education Department; or
4. Master's degree in psychiatric mental health nursing, and possession of a license as a registered nurse issued by the New York State Education Department; or
5. Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, social work, public health administration, public administration, hospital administration, human services administration, business administration or other equivalent degrees as determined by a curriculum reviewed and approved by the New York State Education Department; or
6. Master's degree and five (5) years of progressively responsible clinical and/or administrative experience in a governmental, private, not-for-profit or proprietary program providing services for people who have a diagnosis of mental illness, developmental disabilities, developmental disability, alcoholism or substance abuse, at least two (2) years of which included functioning in an administrative capacity for the management of a program in which the candidate was responsible for the overall direction and control of an identifiable organizational unit or program; or
7. An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in a), b), c), d), e) and f), above

*Per Section 102.6 of the Regulations of the New York State Office of Mental Health.

NB: Chapter 168 of the Laws of 2010 and Assembly Bill 6840: language reform legislation, eliminated references to “mental retardation” in state offices and laws, replacing such references with “developmental disabilities.”

9/97; 4/09; 6/14

Non-Competitive Class