Plans, organizes and directs one or more major specialized mental health programs and assists the Deputy Director in division administration; serves as a member of the department's management team.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This class is characterized by the responsibility for the management of one or more mental health program(s) and for assisting the Deputy Director in planning and organizing overall operations. This class is distinguished from other management positions in the department in that the Mental Health Services Administrator manages large or multiple programs through subordinate program managers.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives direction from a Department Deputy Director or higher
Exercises supervision over management, supervisory, technical and clerical staff
Examples of Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Plans, organizes and manages a comprehensive mental health system within the Health and Social Services Department; assesses program needs and existing/projected capabilities and designs a system of services to meet program/community needs, as well as to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and professional standards.
Determines staffing requirements; supervises line and support staff directly and/or through subordinate managers; establishes standards for and ensures compliance with clinical and administrative operations.
Determines internal program organizational structure; confers with and/or makes recommendations to the management team with respect to complex personnel employee relations matters, as well as public contact problems, which may have significant administrative or legal consequences.
Reads, analyzes, and interprets laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing assigned program operations; determines and reports on impact of proposed legislative and regulatory changes; assists in development of County policies to effect changes in program operations.
Prepares and submits funding proposals, planning documents and program effectiveness reports; prepares and justifies budget requests; analyzes and interprets proposed and enacted legislation and regulation.
Acts as a division representative in contact with governmental agencies, service providers and professional organizations, community groups/organizations and other County departments on matters related to assigned responsibility.
Participates in Division program planning and policy formulation; assists in establishing goals, as well as evaluating and coordinating overall operation of the Department; may be assigned additional management or administrative activities; may act on behalf of the Deputy Director.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including planning, implementation, and evaluation
Current trends in research, education and related services
Budget expenditure monitoring
Policies, regulations and procedures governing assigned programs in public assistance; goals and limitations of public programs within a specific assignment; legal requirements affecting service delivery and operations
Techniques used to establish and maintain effective communication with clients; socio-economic factors affecting the client; needs, problems and behavior of people in target population
Case review practices and techniques
Services provided by Solano and other surrounding counties
Record maintenance and case management practices
Principles and practices of supervision; performance evaluation and discipline processes applicable to the public sector; staffing requirements for the program; training and supervisory practices
Skills to:
Utilize basic office equipment
Ability to:
Plan, organize and direct mental health services; develop and manage a program budget
Identify and evaluate the need for developing proposed changes in program practices and procedures; interpret and apply a variety of complex county, state and federal regulations, policies and guidelines related to a specific program; comply with laws, regulations and professional practices governing program services and operations maintain accurate records and document actions taken; prepare narrative and statistical reports
Supervise, advise, consult with and train others engaged in professional and technical work; secure cooperation and team work among staff; deal firmly and fairly with clients of various socio-economic backgrounds and temperaments organize and prioritize work assignments; effectively delegate responsibility and authority to others; determine and evaluate level of achievement and performance
Collect and analyze data to establish/ identify needs, evaluate program effectiveness; develop goals and objectives for assigned work units or projects
Research regulations, procedures and/or technical reference materials
Interpret administrative direction for incorporation into operational policy and procedures
Maintain confidentiality of information
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; compose correspondence independently
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Training & Experience
Either: 1. Master’s degree in a field directly related to the assignment and five years of professional level public health or social services experience, of which three years must have included program management and supervision of professional and supervisory staff coupled with experience in public administration including budget preparation, program planning/evaluation and supervision.
Or: 2. Bachelor’s degree in a field directly related to the assignment and seven years of professional level public health or social services experience, of which three years must have included program management and supervision of professional and supervisory staff coupled with experience in public administration including budget preparation, program planning/evaluation and supervision.
LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQ
One or more of the following may be required:
Registered Nursing License issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing
Nurse Practitioner License issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing
Public Health Nursing Certificate issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing
Marriage and Family Therapist License issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners
Clinical Social Worker License issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners
Clinical Psychologist License issued by the California Board of Psychology
California Driver’s License, Class C
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Independent travel may be required.
Selectees for employment must, as a condition of employment, sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11165/11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting and Section 15630 relating to Adult Abuse and reporting.
Candidates will be required to pass a background investigation in accordance with applicable law, regulation and/or policy.
Incumbents may be required to be able to work in an environment which may include exposure to communicable disease.
ADA Compliance
Physical Ability:
Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
Sensory Requirements:
Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability.
Environmental Factors:
Incumbents must be able to work in an institutional environment which may include exposure to communicable disease and unpleasant working conditions.