DIRECTOR OF WELFARE

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of the chief county executive, other administrative official, or a county welfare or social service agency or board, and subject to policies and rules of the NJ Department of Human Services, organizes, develops, directs, and has charge of county welfare programs; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Serves as chief executive and approval officer of the agency or board.
• Plans, organizes, develops, and directs varied county welfare programs.
• Evaluates the impact of state regulations on county welfare or social service agency.
• Directs the development and implementation of policy and procedures necessary to administer agency goals.
• Manages work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of programs administered by the jurisdiction.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Conducts studies to identify needs.
• Plans, schedules, and conducts formal hearings regarding approval of assistance grants.
• Coordinates planning efforts with those of other agencies or organizations.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the program.
• Consults with members of the welfare board to plan activities and expenditures.
• Directs activities of staff engaged in investigating and counseling welfare claimants and in processing welfare claims.
• Participates in discussions with community leaders and other interested parties to improve services and to coordinate public assistance programs with efforts of religious and charitable organizations.
• Prepares budget, and adjusts services according to available funds.
• Develops operating plans based on community needs and state and federal directives.
• As required, cooperates with appropriate authorities in cases of suspected fraud or abuse of services.
• Oversees the development of plans to expand existing services or to develop new services to meet the needs of the client population served.
• Develops plans to involve community residents in social service programs.
• Reviews and analyzes data on annual community needs to determine priorities for allocation of funds.
• Reviews and evaluates reports and financial statements to determine monetary needs and budget allotments.
• Establishes and maintains essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree supplemented by a Master's degree.

Experience

Six (6) years of experience in program management which shall have involved setting organizational goals and objectives, establishing or determining need for and planning organizational changes, setting organizational policy and developing operational and procedural guidelines and supervision of staff.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

<b>CITIZENSHIP:</b>

Must be a citizen of the United States

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of management principles, practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of budget methods and principles.
• Knowledge of the methods of resource allocation.
• Knowledge of program planning, development, and evaluation techniques.
• Knowledge of the types of social services and assistance programs likely to be needed by the client population served.
• Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
• Ability to provide assignments and instructions to staff, and supervise their work performance.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the program.
• Ability to plan, develop and evaluate programs.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to identify community needs.
• Ability to prepare budgets.
• Ability to allocate resources.
• Ability to coordinate planning efforts with those of other agencies or units.
• Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Applicants who do not possess the required Bachelor's degree may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.

Applicants who do not possess the required Master's Degree may substitute one (1) additional year of experience.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 44:7-11, appointees to the Director of Welfare title will be required to successfully complete a six (6) month working test period.