TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 8303100

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

            Addictions Program Specialists plan, direct, and coordinate alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment, prevention, education, and early intervention programs and services throughout New York State. They work closely with local providers and local government officials to solve problems with existing addiction programs and to discuss new policies and services. Incumbents maintain relationships with local providers and communities to promote the mission of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and the acceptance of AOD programs and services.

Positions are classified at OASAS.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

            ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1:  full performance level; assists in development of new programs or policies; and may perform field duties as a member of a team or work independently.

            ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2:  advanced performance and/or first supervisory level; handles the more difficult programs and local governmental units with more independence than Addictions Program Specialists 1; coordinates with county government officials and local providers of AOD services; and may supervise or function as a team leader in field assignments.

            ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3:  supervisory level; responsible for supervising and evaluating lower level professional staff; serves as a unit head for administrative units charged with a specific program area or issue in Central Office; serves as assistant bureau director in smaller bureaus with less than ten professional staff, such as the Bureau of Housing; and handles the most difficult assignments in a Regional Office setting. 

            ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4:  managerial level; supervises and directs the activities of units of Addictions Program Specialists 1-3 and other staff; serves as a unit head for a large unit or multiple units; serves as regional coordinator for local providers; represents OASAS at various agency meetings; and serves as assistant bureau director in larger program areas.

RELATED CLASSES

Addictions Planning Analysts are responsible for developing specific addictions planning activities such as local planning services, needs analysis for licensing, and the development of planning documents.

Addictions Counselors and Addictions Counselor Assistants provide direct professional and paraprofessional counseling services tailored to the individual needs of addiction patients in treatment centers throughout OASAS.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

            ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1:  under the supervision of an Addictions Program Specialist 2, may be assigned to any of the major program areas or a regional office within OASAS; reviews local programs for compliance with State requirements; serves as a member of field team for program review; provides technical assistance or program operations guidance to providers to ensure achievement of program goals; reviews Certificate of Need requests and licensing program applications before APS 2 review and make recommendations to upper level Bureau of Certification and Systems Management staff; presents information about addiction prevention and education materials to community groups as requested; and assists in the improvement of professional development and addictions programs for counselors.

            ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2:  under the supervision of an Addictions Program Specialist 3 or 4, often serves as the technical expert in a particular area; handles the more difficult work of various program areas; functions as an independent field reviewer and/or team leader for program evaluations; makes recommendations on licensing programs and issuing Certificates of Need; oversees the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) process that is required for certification of Addictions Counselors; investigates program or service complaints; develops procedures for implementation of agency policies; confers with local governmental officials and local providers to resolve problems with existing programs and/or to discuss new services; and may supervise and provide training to Addictions Program Specialists 1.

ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3:  under the general supervision of an Addictions Program Specialist 4, is responsible for supervision and/or  management of an administrative unit charged with a specific addictions issue; assists government officials and local providers with securing necessary resources, including financial and organizational support; serves as assistant coordinator on particular programs; and handles the most difficult and expansive assignments in a Regional Office setting, such as coordinating with appropriate local government officials for each county in an assigned geographic area, and with other Regional Offices to ensure AOD program and service quality and consistency.

ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4:  under the general supervision of an OASAS Program Manager, Regional Director OASAS, or Associate Commissioner, is responsible for major addictions program activity; manages the largest units, or multiple units within OASAS; serves as agency expert for assigned programs and services; drafts agency policies; represents OASAS in intra-agency meetings; develops plans for implementing AOD programs and services; and develops work plans for and provides direct supervision of assigned staff. As Regional Coordinator, an incumbent is responsible for all local provider programs, directs day-to-day operations, sets program priorities for a region; and supervises field staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1

Open Competitive: Bachelors degree and two years of professional clinical or professional administrative experience in a public or private agency or program that directly provides diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, or aftercare to a clientele with a primary diagnosis of chemical dependency.

ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2

Open Competitive: Bachelors degree and three years of professional clinical or professional administrative experience in a public or private agency or program that directly provides diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, or aftercare to a clientele with a primary diagnosis of chemical dependency.

Promotion: One year of service as an Addictions Program Specialist 1, Grade 18. 

ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3

Promotion: One year of service as an Addictions Program Specialist 2, Grade 23. 

ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4

Promotion: One year of service as an Addictions Program Specialist 3, Grade 25. 

 Revised:  6/17

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.

Parenthetics Attachment

ADDICTIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2 (GAMBLING): develops and coordinates the implementation of OASAS gambling treatment initiatives; identifies and tests multiple approaches to providing treatment services; develops treatment guidelines and revises guidelines as needed; coordinates gambling treatment efforts with other units within OASAS; develops and maintains relationships with local governments and community agencies, addictions prevention and treatment programs, and citizens; and represents OASAS at forums involving local governments, municipalities, service providers, organizations and professional associations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Open Competitive: Bachelors degree and three years of professional clinical or professional administrative experience in a public or private agency or program that directly provides diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, or aftercare to a clientele with a primary diagnosis of problem gambling.