DISABILITIES SERVICES SPECIALIST 2

Definition

Under the direction of the Director/Deputy Director, State Office of Disability Services or Chairman of the Council on Developmental Disabilities, develops and supervises staff responsible for acting as technical resource for the full implementation of the services and functions of the Office of Disability Services or the Council on Developmental Disabilities; participates in subsequent program administration; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Supervises Disability Services Specialists of a lower grade or other staff in providing the research, development, interpretation and implementation of plans, objectives, policies and procedures for the State Office on Disability Services and the Council.
• Takes the lead in researching and preparing reports on new services, programs and agencies which provide services to individuals with disabilities.
• Supervises and/or performs special studies and investigations of highly sensitive areas which focus on disabilities and disabilities services and makes appropriate recommendations.
• Coordinates the training program for all staff assigned to the information and referral system and assists in training staff; plans and arranges for in-service training.
• Supervises the development and maintenance of a database, including statistical information on the information and referral system, and prepares periodic reports.
• Supervises staff assigned to the information and referral system; personally handles the most difficult or complex information and referral calls.
• Serves as liaison between the State Office on Disability Services and the Council and other information and referral networks nationally and within New Jersey.
• Enters and/or supervises the entering of data into a customized database to track callers, information requests, referrals and outcomes; provides follow-up services to callers when appropriate.
• Supervises staff who provide assistance and information for the preparation of applications for funding and for the preparation of comments on federal, state and local legislation related to disability services and programs.
• Drafts correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, statistical information, analyses, conclusions and recommendations.
• Establishes and maintains 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.

Requirements

Requirements will be determined at the initiation of recruitment efforts commensurate with functions required at that time, but must include a minimum of one (1) year of experience involving research, development, interpretation and implementation of the plans, objectives, policies and procedures of the State Office on Disability Services or the Council.

License

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

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state and local programs relating to disability services.
• Knowledge of program development, evaluation and implementation techniques.
• Knowledge of the services, programs, functions, organization, budget of the Office or Council.
• Knowledge of the various types of disabilities.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal and State rules and regulations, policies, procedures and administrative orders of the Department of Human Services related to disability services.
• Knowledge of information and referral network systems.
• Knowledge of effective training techniques.
• Knowledge of the problems encountered in administering a custom- oriented disability services information and referral program.
• Knowledge of accepted policies and procedures related to sound supervisory and management techniques and their application.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to identify, resolve and/or refer problems involving the needs of disabled individuals and their families for effective services.
• Ability to organize assigned work, analyze problems, and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to assign, evaluate, and supervise the work performance of professional and clerical employees and to develop effective work plans.
• Ability to interpret pertinent laws, agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others through various communication methods, including TTY, PC, telephones and mail.
• Ability to prepare detailed, technical and confidential reports and correspondence.
• Ability to plan and initiate programs for the disabled.
• Ability to assign and supervise subordinate staff.
• Ability to research and locate new or current programs for disability services.
• Ability to supervise and maintain records and files.
• 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 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 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.
• CODES: 98/X98 - (NL/12) GB/mer 5/22/2010

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.

Preference will be given to individuals with disabilities.