CHIEF, SPECIAL POPULATIONS AND ACTIVITIES, ADDICTIONS

Definition

Under direction of an Assistant Commissioner or other supervisory official, provides leadership in establishing policies, goals, and objectives in public and/or private treatment programs designed to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate persons designated as special populations with alcohol, drug abuse, or other addiction problems; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Serves as ombudsman for all clients' needs and treatments (clients are considered a special population in that they are classified as disabled by federal regulations).
• May act as principal advisor to the Assistant Commissioner in the area of special population needs.
• May provide staff services and consultation to the Assistant Commissioner relative to long-range and operational planning, analytical, and evaluation activities related to special populations.
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises program activities.
• Develops and organizes criteria and administrative policies designed to achieve division goals related to special populations.
• Evaluates program plans and objectives to determine their effectiveness and appropriate utilization for the needs of designated special populations.
• Conducts and/or coordinates need studies for special populations.
• Provides recommendations.
• Supervises training sessions.
• Provides advice and technical assistance for special projects and populations for community, state, and federal programs.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Meets with representatives of community groups and organizations.
• Establishes liaison and maintains cooperative working relationships with other organizations and offices to provide care and treatment for those individuals designated as special populations.
• Develops budgetary needs of the unit.
• Develops plans to meet federal or state guidelines, and funding sources, or projects appropriate to meet needs of the client or staff populations..
• Prepares correspondence. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, or other related field.

Experience

Four (4) years of administrative experience in planning, developing, and supervising coordinated treatment and rehabilitation services in the area of psychosocial disorders which shall have included drug abuse or other addictions, two (2) years of which must include working specifically with the unique needs of special populations.

License

Appointee 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 the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of management principles, and techniques.
• Knowledge of program planning and development techniques.
• Knowledge of the problems encountered by those suffering from substance abuse.
• Knowledge of the methods used to detect, treat and prevent substance abuse.
• Ability to plan, initiate, and execute programs.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply basic laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with associates and subordinates, and other divisions, departments, and/or branches of government and the public.
• Ability to assign, instruct, and supervise professional and other staff.
• Ability to plan, conduct, and supervise investigations, surveys, studies, and research activities.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of records and files.
• Ability to learn 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, or 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 after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. 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.

A Master's degree in one of the above educational areas may be substituted for one (1) year of indicated experience.