County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, plan, organize and administer the activities of the Consumer/Family Relations Program in the Behavioral Health Care Services Department; develop, implement and evaluate programs and services related to creating consumer/family involvement in system change, training and hiring consumer/family members, providing technical assistance and support to new and emerging consumer/family groups as defined by their expressed needs, integrating consumer/family perspectives in BHCS policies and decision-making; and perform related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

These positions are located in Behavioral Health Care Services, which provides alcohol and other drugs and mental health services through county staff, private providers and community based organizations. Consumer/Family Relations Managers report to the Deputy Director, Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS). The Consumer/Family Relations Managers may be assigned to plan, develop, and manage the consumer/family relations activities across a multitude of behavioral health care services programs and/or divisions, as well as with community based organizations and the consumer/family community. Incumbents of this class provide leadership in integrating consumer/family perspectives in BHCS policies and decision-making, and for the expansion of the emphasis on wellness, recovery and optimal functioning and quality of life for people with mental illness throughout the system of care. This position differs from the next higher class of Deputy Director, BHCS in that the latter has overall planning, administrative and policy development responsibilities for BHCS.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are illustrative examples of duties performed by the classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties are necessarily performed by each individual in this classification.

1. Plans, develops, and administers the activities of the Consumer/Family Relations Program in the Behavioral Health Care Services Department.

2. Implements, analyzes and evaluates programs, services and funding sources related to creating consumer/family involvement in system change, training, hiring consumers/family members, and developing consumer/family-run programs.

3. Provides consultation and technical assistance to County operated departments and community based organizations on consumer/family perspective issues.

4. Recommends program alternatives, service delivery organizations, funding sources and other elements to the Department, community partners, and other stakeholders.

5. Develops, promotes and implements career paths, employment opportunities and work force training and retention strategies for consumers within the system of care.

6. Represents Behavioral Health Care Services and consumers/family members as assigned throughout the mental health and consumer community programs and meetings; serves as a liaison with other local and state community programs, consumer groups and organizations.

7. Develops and promotes consumer/family member participation in system change activities.

8. Recruits, hires, trains and evaluates BHCS support and technical staff; and disciplines, as necessary.

9. Provides training and education on the challenges and needs of consumers/family members to the public and the mental health community.

10. Prepares a variety of correspondence, narrative and statistical reports, policies and procedures, informational publications and other media.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Health Administration, Health Care Administration or related field.

(Additional experience as outlined below may be substituted for the education on
a year-for-year basis)

AND

The equivalent of three years full-time experience in program administration or program planning and evaluation of mental health or social services programs or related field.

One year of the above experience must include (1) analyzing and evaluating programs and services related to creating consumer/family involvement in system change, training and hiring consumer/family members, integrating consumer/family perspectives in policies and decision-making, or (2) implementing consumer/family operated programs.

License:

Some positions in this class may require a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Applicants must possess such license prior to appointment to such positions.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Adult and children behavioral health system of care services.
• Consumer/family operated programs.
• Management principles and practices, including work planning, employee supervision and resource allocation.
• Principles and practices of wellness, recovery and resilience.
• Principles and practices of program planning and evaluation.
• Principles of behavioral health care including alcohol and other drug abuses related to mental disabilities.
• Local, regional, state and federal programs, resources, services and projects related to consumers/family members.
• Concepts of self-help, peer support, and family-driven care.
• Techniques on organization and management analysis and report preparation.
• Basic budgetary techniques.
• Training techniques and adult learning styles.
• Principles and techniques on marketing and promotional strategies.
• Multicultural issues and cultural sensitivity.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Plan, coordinate and conduct public presentations.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Provide leadership and take initiative.
• Make decisions.
• Think critically.
• Plan and organize.
• Analyze and problem solve.
• Analyze budgets.
• Manage multiple and changing priorities.
• Meet deadlines.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

AB:po 6/10/09
Newspec: 5096
CSC Date: 7/15/2009