THE SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY OF $48,094.00.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE FILED FOR, TAKEN, AND PASSED THE OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAM AND/OR PROMOTIONAL EXAM FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE LISTED ABOVE TO AVOID BEING "BUMPED" OUT OF YOUR POSITION WHEN THE ELIGIBLE LIST FOR THIS TITLE IS ESTABLISHED. CANDIDATES WHO ARE SELECTED FOR THIS POSITION MUST SHOW PROOF THAT THEY HAVE PASSED THIS EXAMINATION. PERMANENT CONGREGARE CARE SPECIALISTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services and provides subsidized childcare vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement, and programs for youth in the community.

ACS' Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center (NSCC) is a 24-hour shift-based operation providing services for New York City’s highly vulnerable population of abused and/or neglected children who have been removed from their parents/caregivers. On average, the Children’s Center serves approximately 2,500 unique children entering or re-entering the foster care system as they await transition to return home, stay with kin, or placement in longer-term foster care settings.

Within NSCC, the Office of Pre-Placement Services, is responsible for providing a 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 that is dedicated to ensuring the social, emotional, medical, educational, and mental health needs of children and youth are being met.

The Office of Pre-Placement Services is seeking five Direct Care Workers who will be responsible for overseeing children and youth placed in the Children’s Center, city congregate care facilities and related functional ACS areas, and providing administrative support.

The duties and responsibilities of the Direct Care Workers will include, but will not be limited to:

- Oversee the care, development, and guidance of dependent, neglected, traumatized, and emotionally disturbed children at the Children’s Center.

- Create a welcoming, trauma-informed environment for all children entering and exiting the Children’s Center.

- Conduct individual and group orientation sessions for youth to support NSCC program expectations and transition to placement.

- Closely supervise youths at congregate care facilities, non-secure detention facilities, and during sponsored visits and activities.

- Chaperone and/or transport youths to and from appointments, school, activities, court appearances, and other community-based activities.

- Participate and assist in planning group and individual activities.

- Monitor and supervise children in assigned areas, including observing changes in behavior and reporting aberrations, and assisting children with personal hygiene, when necessary.

- Intervene in crisis situations by assessing imminent dangers, and attempting appropriate de-escalation intervention, when necessary.

- Conduct regular room inspections and personal searches to maintain a contraband free and safe environment.

- Utilize approved physical restraint techniques to ensure safety of residents and staff, when necessary.

- Perform liaison functions to communicate with, provide requested information, and direct inquiries and observations to other members of the inter-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive care for all children and youths.

- Complete required log entries, tracking sheets, incident reports, and other relevant documentation which supports the monitoring of youth being admitted or exiting/released from the Children's center.

- Participate in regular team meetings, and required trainings.

- Assist children and youth with educational and recreational activities, such as shopping for clothing, supplies and materials, as necessary.

- Communicate all issues to the supervisor in a timely manner.

- May be required to work various shifts including holidays, weekends, and overnights.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.


TO APPLY:

- Please go to www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID #682778
- NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES OR PERSONAL INQUIRIES PERMITTED.
- NOTE: ONLY CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED.

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, including12 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.