CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
5B51
COMMUNITY BASED DETENTION PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is administrative youth services work at the second supervisory level directing community-based detention program
for the temporary care of delinquent youths. The employee in this class directs, through subordinate supervisors, the activities
of social workers and counselors engaged in the provision of emergency placement and counseling services to clients in group,
foster and in-home detention programs as an alternative to secured detention for court-referred youths. Work includes
responsibility for overall operational activities in the areas of intake, youth counseling, youth placement and behavior monitoring
services. Contact with service providers and family court representatives to discuss the progress and problems of youth and to
ensure that proper care is provided to program participants is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the
direction of an administrative superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS:
(The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)
- This is a one position class located in the Division of Juvenile Justice Services of the Department of Human Services.
- The employee must direct, through subordinate supervisors, community-based detention programs for delinquent youths.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
- Directs, through subordinate supervisors, a staff of social workers and counselors engaged in conducting intake interview,
placing and counseling delinquent youths, and monitoring the activities of contracted service providers to ensure that youths
receive proper counseling and care; meets with subordinate supervisors to discuss problems and review daily referral listings to
determine if referrals are appropriate.
- Administers contracts for temporary community-based detention services; meets with contracted child care agency officials
to resolve individual behavioral and medical problems; periodically visits group homes to evaluate staffing and supervision;
ensures that adequate health, educational, and recreational services are provided; reviews invoices and recommends the
authorization of payments for contracted services.
- Establishes and modifies procedures to evaluate the progress of youths in temporary community based detention programs;
implements changes to comply with legal requirements, departmental policies, and social service principles and practices; revises
procedures for the admission or rejection of court referred youths to community-based detention facilities.
- Meets with community groups to explain community-based shelter programs and to secure the support and cooperation
of communities where contracted child care agencies are located; informs family court officials, attorneys, and parent/guardians
of the progress and problems of youths in the program.
- Prepares periodic reports on services provided by contracted agencies.
- Arranges in-service training programs and conducts classes to develop the skill of counselors and contracted agency staff.
- Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- all phases of modern detention and protective care methods related to the field of temporary youth care.
- social work principles and practices as they apply to the care and custody of delinquent youths and of youths with family
or emotional problems.
- social and emotional factors which result in the institutionalization of youths.
- community and social resources available for delinquent youths.
- organization and operation of the juvenile justice system.
- supervisory methods and techniques.
SKILL IN:
ABILITY TO:
- supervise, through subordinate supervisors, social workers and counsellors engaged in providing emergency placement,
custody, and counseling services.
- monitor child care agencies providing group and foster home care.
- recommend and implement policies and procedures to develop and maintain a flexible program to meet the needs of
youths and the community.
- secure the cooperation and confidence of delinquent youths, parents, and community groups.
- express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with institutional, social service, and legal agencies.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
(The following statement represents the minimum training and
experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class
will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 8/92.)
EDUCATION
- Completion of a master's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in public
administration, social work, sociology, counseling, or psychology.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
- Three years of youth counseling or social work experience working with youths.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
- Two years of experience at the supervisory level providing delinquent youth placement, custody, and counseling services.
OR
- Two years of administrative experience planning, evaluating, and monitoring delinquent youth programs placement,
custody and counseling services.
Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department
that has included the specific experience and possession of a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
PAY RANGE: EP23
Class Established: 1/1978
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC - 6/1992 ; Ad Board - 8/1992
DD/lg/sb
END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 5B51