The Putnam County Department of Social Services & Mental Health is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Commissioner of Social Services & Mental Health. Applicants must meet the below required minimum qualifications, including those prescribed by New York State Public Health Law and New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations. The Commissioner of Social Services & Mental Health is a term-appointed position, appointed by the County Executive subject to confirmation by the County Legislature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: This is important professional level work involving the direction of day-to-day operations of the Department of Social Services and all county-operated community mental health programs in accordance with any State or Federal social service laws, rules, and regulations. Responsibilities include the organization, direction and coordination of various functions of the entire department, ensuring effective and efficient operation of multiple programs and services. Such programs include, for example, child welfare services, child protective services, adult services, mental health, developmental disability, alcoholism and substance abuse preventative and rehabilitative services, welfare benefits, food stamps, homeless/housing, Medicaid, and Employment services provided within the county. Incumbents in this title will work regularly with outside, local, non-profit organizations. The Commissioner has complete control, subject to financial limitations imposed by the local legislative body and the State Department of Social Services, over department operations and direction of personnel. Direct supervision is exercised over a large staff of professional, administrative, and clerical staff. Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either

1. Possession of a license to practice medicine in New York State who shall be deemed board certified or board eligible in psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics; or
2. Possession of a license to practice as a psychologist issued by the New York State Education Department; or
3. Master's degree in social work, and possession of a license as a certified social worker issued by the New York State Education Department; or
4. Master's degree in psychiatric mental health nursing, and possession of a license as a registered nurse issued by the New York State Education Department; or
5. Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, social work, public health administration, public administration, hospital administration, human services administration, business administration or other equivalent degrees as determined by a curriculum reviewed and approved by the New York State Education Department; or
6. Master's degree and five (5) years of progressively responsible clinical and/or administrative experience in a governmental, private, not-for-profit or proprietary program providing services for people who have a diagnosis of mental illness, developmental disability, alcoholism or substance abuse, at least two (2) years of which included functioning in an administrative capacity for the management of a program in which the candidate was responsible for the overall direction and control of an identifiable organizational unit or program; or
7. An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in a), b), c), d), e) and f), above

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: This position will require access to transportation to meet work requirements in the ordinary course of business.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

*Minimum Qualifications established in compliance with New York State Compilation of Codes Rules & Regulations Title 14 Section 102.6

SCHEDULE: Full-Time, Monday-Friday, On-Call

SALARY RANGE: $138,00 - $150,000 per year

BENEFITS: 

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

APPLICATION: www.putnamcountyny.com/personnel

Applications and resumes may be submitted to the Putnam County Personnel Department by mail or email:

Putnam County Personnel Department

110 Old Route 6, Bldg 3

Carmel NY, 10512

PUTNAM COUNTY – AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER