Community Liaison

Nyc-Administration-For-Children; New York (NY); On-site; USD 63,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is seeking a Community Liaison to support the DYFJ network across New York City. The role involves coordinating trainings for NSD/CTH staff on conflict resolution and de-escalation, conducting safety inspections, and overseeing non-secure placement facilities and school sites in multiple boroughs.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree with two years’ relevant experience or an equivalent combination, with flexibility for overtime, weekend shifts,

Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities related to the duties described.
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities related to the duties described.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience as described above, with at least one year of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate trainings for Non-Secure Detention (NSD), Close to Home (CTH) Placement staff on conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques.
• Conduct contraband and safety security inspections following agency policy.
• Perform safety and security school inspections with resident movement and transitions for crisis intervention.
• Prevent absconds in NSD and CTH Placement schools; observe and document residents’ behavior.
• Participate in regular team meetings and case conferences; maintain safety logs and fire drills.

Education

Bachelor's degree + 2 years experience

High school diploma + 6 years experience

Equivalent combination

Job description

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $62,868.00 - $72,298.00.

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 child care 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’ Division of Youth & Family Justice (DYFJ) is responsible for oversight and management of secure and non-secure detention services for juveniles awaiting disposition in family and supreme courts, as well as a network of community-based delinquency prevention, alternative to detention, and alternative to placement programs for youth involved in, or at risk for involvement in, the juvenile justice system. Further, DYFJ oversees a wide network of providers throughout the five boroughs that operate placement sites for youth who are adjudicated delinquent and are placed by the New York City Family Court as part of the Close to Home initiative.

Non-Secure Placement (NSP) - Youth reside in small, home-like residential facilities, operated by contracted providers, in or near the five boroughs where they are close to resources that can support their treatment and transition back into their communities. DYFJ oversees a network of five contracted providers that operate a total of 7 non-secure detention facilities across New York City. Limited Secure Placement (LSP) - ACS contracts with non-profit providers to operate LSP group homes in or near the five boroughs. Each LSP group home serves between 6-20 youths. The LSP residences will both serve general and specialized high-level youth by providing services to meet each youth's needs. ACS contracts with community-based providers to operate 25 non-secure and 6 limited secure placement programs. In addition, LSP homes have more restrictive security features compared to NSP group homes to ensure the safety of residents, program staff, and local communities.

The Community Liaison will be responsible for performing the following duties, but not limited to:

• Coordinate trainings for Non-Secure Detention (NSD), Close to Home (CTH) Placement staff on conflict resolution, utilizing appropriate de-escalation and restraint techniques.
• Conduct contraband and safety security inspections in accordance with the agency policy.
• Perform safety and security school inspections with resident movement and transitions for crisis intervention.
• Prevent absconds in Non-Secure Detention (NSD), Close to Home (CTH) Placement schools.
• Observe and document residents’ behavior in agency logbooks.
• Participate in regular team meetings and case conferences.
• Maintain the fire safety logbook and conducts fire drills.
• Assist with both external and internal recreation activities.
• Prepare incident reports and collaborates with the Movement, Communications, and Control Unit (MCCU) on incident reporting when applicable.
• Utilize physical restraints (ESPI) when intervening in incidents to prevent injury to residents or staff.
• Coordinate with ACS and external stakeholders to track and record incident reports and follow up with residents and Non-Secure Detention (NSD), Close to Home (CTH) Placement staff as necessary.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations at Department of Education (DOE) Passages Academy school sites.
• Monitor resident(s) in school, facility environment.
• Coordinate, develop and implement program events at DOE District 79 Passages Schools, trips, tournaments, afterschool programming, teambuilding, health and fitness activities, and other offsite activities, including safety and security logistics.
• Collaborate with NSD, CTH Placement staff Directors and Assistant Principals to create and promote school safety plans and procedures to reduce behavioral incidents in the school.

Special Note:

• Mandatory overtime may be required to ensure staff coverage.
• Work schedules may include weekends and holidays and/or based on agency’s need.
• Regular travel and/or reporting to CTH, NSD, DOE, courts, and other sites.

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.

The Administration for Children’s Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing access to all individuals. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Simone Campbell at [e-mail] or 212-676-6955.

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or 2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or 3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

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/.

Residency Requirement

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.

Additional Information

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.