The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York City’s children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care services. ACS' Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center (NSCC) provides children with a temporary living environment that is non-judgmental, supportive, caring, and structured, and strives to heal past and ongoing trauma. We believe that every child deserves safety, happiness, health, and love in our care, no matter how long or short their stay. Children in our care are prepared to transition to placement or achieve permanency after their stay at the Children’s Center. In caring for our kids, we prioritize the values of acceptance, compassion, respect, equality, growth, education, development, promoting self-esteem, tolerance, and the preservation of self-identity. NSCC is comprised of Pre-Placement Services, the Office of Placement Administration, Social Work, Case Planning Unit, and Program Development and Staff Wellness.

The Office of Pre-Placement Services within NSCC is responsible for providing safe and nurturing environment, for children and youth between the ages of 0-21 years of age. The Office of Pre-placement Services is a 24 hour a day 7-day program which is dedicated to ensuring that the children's social, emotional, medical, educational and mental health needs are being met. The congregate Care Specialist is responsible for overseeing children and youth placed in the Children’s Center, city congregate care facilities and related functional areas of ACS and for providing administrative support. All work is performed in accordance with agency policies, procedures and within required deadlines.

- Under direct supervision, oversees the care, development and guidance of dependent, neglected, traumatized and emotionally disturbed children at the Children’s Center.
- Welcome children entering the Children’s Center upon entry and admission.
- Escorts and/or transports youths to and from appointments, school, activities and court appearances; may drive a motor vehicle.
- Participates and assists in planning group and individual activities.
- Monitors and supervises children in assigned areas and completion of chores.
- Assists youths in personal hygiene when necessary.
- Conducts contraband searches and inspections of children’s property upon entering the Children’s Center and upon administrative request, in accordance with appropriate procedures and laws.
- Observes changes in behavior and reports aberrations.
- Communicates with and directs inquiries to other members of the inter-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive care for all children and youths.
- Answers phones, provides requested information or directs inquiries to appropriate staff.
- Participates in regular team meetings and in quality control initiatives in case conferences.
- Establishes and maintains schedules for bathing, laundry and ironing.
- Assists with clothing purchases and maintains clothing inventory.
- Assists with homework.
- Prepares meals, when necessary.
- Shops for clothing, supplies and materials as necessary.
- Communicates to the supervisor all issues in a timely manner.
- Follows medical and mental health protocols, including dispensing medication as directed.
- Ensures adherence to daily routines and schedules.
- Maintains activity and incident logs and makes computer entries.
- Prepares required and ad hoc reports, including behavioral assessments and incident reports, in a timely manner.
- Adheres to fire drills and follows evacuation procedures to promote the safety and well- being of children and others.
- Maintains the facility in a clean, safe and orderly fashion; ensures repairs and installations are requested and completed.
- Conducts regular room checks and common area searches in order to maintain a contraband free and safe environment.
- Utilize best efforts to address a child’s acute physical behavior by incorporating preventive and de-escalation techniques.
- Successful completion of mandatory training in certifications including First Aid and Crisis Management.

Preferred candidate must be willing to work with children and youth from 18-21 years of age. “Qualification Requirements A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and either:
1. Two years of satisfactory experience working with children or youths in a congregate residential institution or non-secure detention facility; or
2. An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including 12 semester credits in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, criminal justice, education, nursing or cultural anthropology.”

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.