Program Director (Safety) Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established April 18, 2000

Scope

This series specification describes two nonmedical classes used by the Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, or at correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services, which are responsible for the overall management of a treatment program providing care for forensic clients, patients, or inmates who are developmentally or mentally disordered offenders.

Definition of Series

This series of classes directs the activities of a multidisciplinary treatment staff in achieving program goals and individual forensic client, patient, or inmate objectives; and have overall responsibility for directing a residential or day training for persons with developmental or mental disorders.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This series of classes is distinguished from the classes in the Program Director series by the custody requirements imposed by the criminal nature of the forensic client, patient, or inmate population and by the security features of correctional facilities, developmental centers, and State hospitals.

Job Description

Both Classes:

Incumbents review and approve overall treatment plans and evaluate forensic client, patient, or inmate progress; plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate program objectives and results; establish operational policies and procedures to meet program objectives; formulate and determine program priorities; determine staffing requirements and ratios; work with developmental center or hospital administrative personnel, central treatment services personnel, service chiefs, other Program Directors, staff assistants, and consultants in implementing program objectives; recruit, select, and assign program personnel; develop program budget; develop and implement quality assurance programs; establish standards of performance necessary to achieve program objectives; participate in program-related community activities; visit treatment wards on a regular basis; arrange for appropriate medical services when necessary; observe and intervene in instances of disruptive or assaultive behavior; and ensure the security and safety of forensic clients, patients, inmates, staff, and visitors with the program.

Minimum Qualifications

Program Director (Developmental Disabilities Safety)

Either I

One year of clinical experience performing the duties of a Program Assistant (Developmental Disabilities Safety), Program Assistant (Developmental Disabilities Program), or Nursing Coordinator.

Or II

Four years of clinical nursing experience in the Department of Developmental Services performing the duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of a Unit Supervisor, Standards Compliance Coordinator, or Supervising Registered Nurse, three years of which must have been in a treatment program for persons with developmental disabilities.

Or III

Four years of clinical experience working with persons who have developmental or mental disabilities as a psychiatric social worker, psychologist, rehabilitation therapist, individual program coordinator, or teacher, three years of which must have been in a treatment program for persons with developmental disabilities.

Program Director (Mental Disabilities Safety)

Either I

One year of clinical experience performing the duties of a Program Assistant (Mental Disabilities), Program Assistant (Mental Disabilities Safety), or Nursing Coordinator.

Or II

Four years of clinical nursing experience in the Department of Mental Health performing the duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of a Unit Supervisor, Standards Compliance Coordinator, or Supervising Registered Nurse, three years of which must have been in a treatment program for persons with mental disabilities.

Or III

Four years of clinical experience working with persons who have mental or developmental disabilities as a psychiatric social worker, psychologist, rehabilitation therapist, or teacher, three years of which must have been in a treatment program for persons with mental disabilities.

Knowledge and Abilities

Both Classes:

Knowledge of: Principles and methods of health care, rehabilitation, education, and psychiatric treatment as related to the care and treatment of forensic clients, patients, or inmates with developmental or mental disabilities; the care and treatment of forensic clients, patients, or inmates with developmental or mental disabilities; principles for maximizing the physical, cognitive, and social development of forensic clients, patients, or inmates; specific expertise related to program content; principles, procedures, and techniques used in planning, evaluating, and administering a multidisciplinary forensic client, patient, or inmate treatment program; principles and practices of personnel management and effective supervision; State and Federal laws and rules pertaining to developmental center or mental hospital administration; principles and practices of community organization for developmental or mental disabilities; developmental center/hospital organization, management, and procedures; a manager's role in equal employment opportunities.

Ability to: Plan, direct, and coordinate a program that provides care and treatment and maximizes the progress of forensic clients, patients, or inmates; direct research and evaluation projects; analyze complex problems and take appropriate action; formulate and manage a multidisciplinary forensic client, patient, or inmate treatment program; integrate the program with the overall functions of the developmental center/hospital; communicate effectively; work independently in identifying the need for and developing proposed changes in program practices and procedures.

Special Personal Characteristics

Both Classes:

A willingness to work at developmental centers, State hospitals, or at correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services; leadership ability; empathetic and objective understanding of the problems of developmentally or mentally disordered offenders; tact; patience; and emotional stability.

Special Physical Characteristics

Both Classes:

Incumbents must possess and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job without endangering their own health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, forensic clients, patients, inmates, or the public.

Class History