THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY OF $41,887.00.

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. The 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 elf-esteem, tolerance, and the preservation of self-identity.

NSCC is seeking outstanding candidates to serve as Engagement Specialists for the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center (NSCC). The Engagement Specialist is part of Intake Unit at the Children’s Center. The Intake Unit is responsible for processing all the children entering the CC for placement. As part of the unit, the Engagement Specialist ensures that the Children’s Center welcome documentation are provided to every child/youth being admitted to the Children’s Center.

Reporting to the Placement Manager, the selected candidates will be responsible for the following duties:

- Create a welcoming, trauma informed environment for all children entering and exiting the Children’s Center.
- Conduct individual and group orientation to 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 such as school trips, planned visits, communicating with parents, doctors and medical staff, preventive agencies from the school/ neighborhood.
- Participate and assist in planning group and individual activities such as medical appointments, preventive appointments and coordinating school visits.
- Monitor and supervises children in assigned areas.
- Intervene in crisis situations by assessing imminent danger and attempts appropriate de-escalation intervention where applicable.
- Assist children with personal hygiene when necessary.
- Conduct inspections and inventory of children’s property upon entering and departing from the Children’s Center and upon administrative request to ensure the safety and well-being of NSCC community and staff.
- Observe changes in behavior and reports aberrations.
- Communicate with and directs inquiries to other members of the inter-disciplinary team and external stakeholders in the community to provide comprehensive care for all children and youths.
- Answer phones, provides requested information, or directs inquiries to appropriate staff and external stakeholders.
- Complete required log entries, tracking sheets, incident reports and other relevant documentation which supports the monitoring of youth admission, youth exiting and released from Children center.
- Participate in regular team meetings, all required trainings, and quality control initiatives in case conferences.
- Assist children and youth with homework, arts and crafts and other engaging activities such as helping youth transition to and from school, getting in contact with assigned staff.
- Prepare meals, when necessary.
- Shop for clothing, supplies and materials as necessary in the local community Assist with taking youth and children to grooming appointments in the community.
- Communicate to the supervisor all issues 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

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY USING ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW:

For current city employees, go to Employee Self Service (ESS), Recruiting Activities, Careers and search for Job ID# (611591)
For all other applicants go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID# (611591) Click on the "Apply" button.

If you do not have access to a computer, most public libraries have computers available for use.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Qualification Requirements
1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or
2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

The preferred candidate will have the following skills: - Experience in the child welfare field including working directly with children and youth - Professional and able to work with youth of all ages including those with mental health, special needs, behavioral issues and medically fragile. - Empathic, understanding, and tactful all while being friendly and compassionate while engaging youth/children.

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.