Children & Youth Services Administrator - County of Berks
Reading, PA 19601
About the Job
POSITION SUMMARY:
Manage and oversee the program services responsible for providing information and referral services, service planning, and protective services to children in their own homes, services to children temporarily removed from the custody of their parents and taken under the care of the courts, and services to children in need of permanent transfer of custody. This is an advanced administrative position in public child welfare responsible for professional, paraprofessional, and clerical staff who provide state-mandated and court-ordered services for dependent, neglected, abused, or exploited children and their families. Work is performed under the direction of the Chief Operations Officer and general direction of the County Commissioners in accordance with Department of Human Services Regulations.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential Functions
The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Interpret and implement state child welfare regulations, Child Protective Services law, Juvenile Act, as well as maintain compliance with all applicable federal programs, legislation, and entitlements.
- Coordinate agency programs with community needs and available resources.
- Working with the Chief Operations Officer (COO), prepare the Annual Services Plan and Budget Estimate in cooperation with other responsible state and county officials.
- Assesses strengths and needs of the services through review of outcomes, written reports, and meetings with managers, supervisors, and staff.
- Direct and oversee the work of the Deputy Administrator, Administration/Clerical, Senior Contract Coordinator, and Fiscal Department
- Consult and assist the County Solicitors Office on all issues related to Children and Youth Services as they relate to legal matters.
- Along with the COO, meet regularly with County Citizen’s Advisory Board and other related county and state departments on matters pertaining to the children and youth social services programs.
- Participate in meetings and conferences for the purpose of providing educational information to community groups interested in children and youth social services and juvenile probation programs.
- Evaluate program and staff effectiveness and make recommendations to the COO on staff selection and/or discharge in accordance with approved personnel policies.
- Supervise a large professional and technical staff.
- Direct the compilation of reports, preparation of correspondence and maintenance of files and records.
- Meet regularly with staff to discuss program plans and interpret policies.
- Participate on state committees related to child welfare.
- Interview and hire personnel; recommend other personnel actions to the COO and accept resignations from staff.
- Review journals, bulletins, and newsletters to keep up to date on future legislation, trends in services, innovative programming, and technology as related to Children and Youth Services.
- Maintain membership in the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators (PCYA) organization and attend quarterly PCYA meetings.
- Attend regional and statewide Roundtable meetings along with the Court representative.
- Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
- Occasionally travel on an as-needed basis for training and to complete assigned duties.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Social Welfare, or Public Administration, or closely related program.
- Ten years of progressively responsible experience in the field of social services, including three-years in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a children and youth social services program agency.
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
- State police, ChildLine, and FBI clearances.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Excellent knowledge of state, federal, and county standards, regulations, and policies governing the children and youth social services programs.
- Excellent knowledge of the principles of program interpretation and implementation.
- Excellent knowledge of the principles and practices of administration, supervision, and community organization.
- Excellent knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources available to meet problems affecting children and youth.
- Excellent knowledge of individual and group behavior with special emphasis on children and youth needs and behavior patterns.
- Excellent knowledge of the policies and operations of Juvenile Courts and probation and parole agencies.
- Ability to exercise judgment in interpreting and implementing state, federal, county, and departmental program policies and procedures, including Child Protective Services Law, Juvenile Act.
- Ability to plan, organize, and direct a large children and youth agency and evaluate staff and program effectiveness.
- Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain working relationships.
- Ability to handle stress.
- Physical presence in the office is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work involves standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds a distance of fifteen feet or less.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Normal office environment
This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.
