5A64
MENTAL RETARDATION SOCIAL WORK ADMINISTRATOR

This is administrative work directing through subordinate supervisors a specialized social service program within Mental Retardation Services. An employee in this class directs the operations of a centralized office which provides individual program planning and monitoring to both current and former residents of state mental retardation centers. Work includes planning, reviewing, evaluating and coordinating daily operations to meet service goals and objectives, federal court mandates and federal and state regulations. Contact with federal and state officials, representatives of public and private mental retardation agencies, representatives of professional and community groups and the general public as well as supervision of staff members is a major significance to the work. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

• Positions must direct, through subordinate supervisors, a specialized social service program within Mental Retardation Services.
• Positions must perform the work in the Health Department.

• Plans, reviews, evaluates, and coordinates through subordinate supervisors the activities of a staff of social workers who are responsible for developing and monitoring client service plans for mentally retarded individuals; monitors, reviews and analyzes daily operations and services for adherence to program goals and objectives; establishes and modifies policies and procedures for respective programs; reviews clients service plans to ensure consistency with identified strengths and needs and adherence to established standards; participates in the preparation of annual overall social service plan; consults with superiors on service activities and program effectiveness.
• Plans, reviews and evaluates operating policies, practices and procedures; establishes work priorities based on program needs and objectives, implements changes to comply with legal requirements, departmental policies and procedures, and accepted social service principles and practices; provides technical and administrative direction; interprets rules, regulations and policies; meets with subordinate supervisors to discuss program needs, status of operations, problems and strategies for their resolution; prepares and submits periodic operational reports.
• Reviews and evaluates organizational and staffing practices, procedures and patterns; plans and recommends changes to improve practices and procedures; discusses transfers, work assignments, classifications and other personnel problems; discusses need for disciplinary action; identifies staff training needs; establishes program to meet training needs.
• Monitors and reviews case management activities performed by contract agencies to ensure compliance with existing standards and regulations; reviews problem or complex cases; confers with subordinate supervisors on case problems; evaluates and determines if recommended course of action is appropriate.
• Attends a variety of meetings for the implementation and coordination of program objective; confers with officials of community groups and public and private mental retardation agencies; explains program function, goals and objectives; meets with the appropriate federal, state and local officials; conducts staff conferences and meetings.
• Performs related work a required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles, practices and techniques of social work and its administration as applied to the care and treatment of the mentally retarded.
• the principles, practices and techniques of counseling and casework as applied to mentally retarded individuals.
• supervisory methods and techniques.
• the principles, practices and procedures for social service program planning and evaluation.
• legal provisions and regulations applicable to the delivery of social services to the mental retarded.
• the functions and resources of public and private social welfare and related agencies providing services to the mentally retarded.
• social factors and causes of social maladjustment which result in the need for placement or institutionalization of mentally retarded individuals.
• the principles, practices, techniques, literature and current developments in the field of social service planning for the mentally retarded.

ABILITY TO:

• plan, organize and coordinate the activities of a social services program for the mentally retarded.
• evaluate social service programs and make recommendations to improve effectiveness of operations.
• analyze and resolve complex social work situations and make sound recommendations which are consistent with social work principles, departmental policies and federal and state regulations.
• exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures consistent with overall policy and objective of programs.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of private and public agencies, the judiciary, civic groups, associates and the general public.
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• prepare and analyze reports pertaining to social service programs.

EDUCATION
• Completion of a master's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, psychology, education, counseling, or human services.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE

• Four years of social work experience in the field of mental retardation.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

• Two years of social work experience in the field of mental retardation which have been supervising social workers in the development and monitoring of client service plans for mentally retarded individuals.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department that has included completion of a bachelor's degree program in an area specified above and the specific experience.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP23
Class Established: 1/85

Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC: 5/00, Ad Board: 6/00

SK/sb