Direct Care Worker

Bespree; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) seeks a Congregate Care Specialist to oversee care for children and youth at the NSCC. Responsibilities include supervising youths, coordinating transit to appointments, and maintaining a safe, trauma-informed environment within city congregate care facilities.

Minimum qualifications require a high school diploma with experience in a residential setting, or an associate degree with relevant credits.

Qualifications

• Four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent plus 2 years of satisfactory full-time experience with children/youth in a congregate setting.
• Associate degree or 60 credits with 12 credits in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, criminal justice, education, nursing or cultural anthropology.
• A combination of education and experience equivalent to the above options; at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Oversee care and development of dependent, neglected, traumatized children at the center.
• Create a trauma-informed environment for all children.
• Supervise youths at facilities and during sponsored activities.
• Chaperone/transport youth to appointments, school, and court appearances.
• Assist in planning activities and monitor behavior within assigned areas.
• Perform required documentation and incident reporting.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis de-escalation

Communication

Supervisory skills

Education

4-year high school diploma or equivalent with 2 years experience

Associate degree + 12 credits in psychology/sociology etc.

Combined education/experience as substitute for 1 or 2 above

Job description

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY OF $49,657.00.

It Is Important That You File FOR, TAKE AND PASS THE NEXT EXAMINATION FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OF CONGREGATE CARE SPECIALIST WHEN IT IS MADE AVAILABLE TO AVOID BEING "BUMPED" OUT OF YOUR POSITION WHEN THE ELIGIBLE LIST FOR THIS TITLE IS ESTABLISHED.

Please Visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/dcas/employment/how-can-you-find-upcoming-exams.page.

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.

The 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 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 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.

Congregate Care Specialist responsibilities will include but are not 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 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 youth 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.
• Assist children with personal hygiene, when necessary.
• Intervene in crisis situations by assessing imminent danger and attempt appropriate de-escalation intervention when necessary.
• Conduct frequent room inspection and personal searches in order to maintain a contraband free and safe environment.
• Utilize approved physical restraint techniques to ensure safety of residents and staff, when necessary.
• Observe changes in behavior and reports aberrations.
• Answer phones and provide requested information or directs inquiries to appropriate staff.
• Complete required log entries, tracking sheets, incident reports, and other relevant documentation which supports the monitoring of youth admission/exiting, and youth being released from the Children's center.
• Assist children and youth with educational and recreational activities.
• Shop for clothing, supplies, and materials as necessary.

Special Note

• Candidates 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.

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

• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and two years of satisfactory full-time experience working with children or youths in a congregate residential institution or non-secure detention facility; or
• 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; or
• A satisfactory combination of education and experience that is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. College education may be substituted for the required experience in “1” above on the basis that 30 semester credits, including 12 semester credits in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, criminal justice, education, nursing, or cultural anthropology from an accredited college or university, is equated to one year of experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

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.