Incumbents of positions in these classes plan, organize and supervise a group of lower level Staff Development Specialists in the conduct of institution and community training programs designed to improve the knowledge and abilities of those responsible for the care, treatment and well-being of the mentally ill and developmentally disabled in various State institutions for such clients.
Positions in this class are located in the various treatment facilities of the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
This class is characterized by its being a direct assistant to the Director Staff Development and Training or equivalent class. As such, incumbents perform activities directly related to the development, organization and implementation of facility training programs. At a Children's Psychiatric Center, a position of Staff Development Specialist 4 is classified to direct the training program and is the highest level trainer in the facility.
The major distinction between this class and lower level specialists is the supervisory responsibilities of incumbents of this class. Although incumbents of these lower level Staff Development Specialist positions do not have full-time supervisory responsibilities, they frequently supervise others in the development of a given training program or in directing the actual conduct of training. Only one position of Mental Hygiene Staff Development Specialist 4 is classified at an institution.
Positions of Agency Training and Development Specialist 2 perform many of the same specific tasks performed by incumbents of this class. However, the major distinction between the two series of classes exists in the subject matter of instruction. Agency Training and Development Specialists typically are concerned with supervisory, procedural and administrative training programs whereas the Staff Development Specialists must also be concerned with specific concepts and techniques in the treatment of the mentally ill, mentally retarded and developmentally disabled.
Supervises subordinate staff in the development and conduct of training programs.
Plans, organizes and develops institution and community training programs.
Assists supervisor in the development of grant applications and budget requests.
Performs the same staff training activities and tasks as listed in the classification standards for the lower level Staff Development Specialists.
Mental Hygiene Staff Development Specialists 4 engage in discussions with various supervisory staff within a Mental Hygiene facility for the purpose of obtaining information from them regarding their specific needs in training and personnel and to convince them of the value of the training programs in increasing both the quality and quantity of services rendered by their staff. In many instances, incumbents must negotiate priorities with program specialists where training resources are limited and program needs are many. In addition, they frequently, either orally or in writing, communicate with community resources for the purpose of obtaining their services in providing expertise in the training programs.
Further, incumbents of these positions, while conducting training courses orally exchange concepts and ideas with those in training and must be able to react quickly in providing information in response to questioning.
This class is characterized by its supervisory responsibilities. Incumbents assign training projects to the subordinate staff, review lesson plans and proposed teaching methods for adequacy in meeting the training objectives and evaluate the conduct of training by observing lesson presentations and reviewing "trainee" comments and any "test" results. In addition incumbents instruct the staff in teaching techniques and guide them in the preparation of lesson plans and course outlines.
Usually incumbents of this class function independently in the development, conduct and evaluation of training programs. However, priorities and the establishing of new training programs are determined by the Director of Staff Development and Training. The latter also establishes training objectives and reviews the total program for its progress in meeting such objectives.
One year as a Mental Hygiene Staff Development Specialist 3.
NOTE: These qualifications are subject to change due to selection plan considerations. For current information on qualification requirements for selection purposes, contact the Division of Staffing Services in the Department of Civil Service.
Revised: 9/00