Missing Children Specialist

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) in New York City seeks a Missing Children Specialist with a strong commitment to safeguarding youth. The role involves training on policies, processing AWOC referrals, and providing TA to provider agencies to support case planners.

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree and pass an English proficiency test. Assignment Level II requirements include six months at Level I and one year at Level II, with probationary stipulations.

Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. Candidates must pass a test to demonstrate English language proficiency.
• Requirements for Assignment Level II: six months training at Level I and one year at Level II with probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate training on policies and administrative directives for youth who go missing.
• Review and process MCOU AWOC referrals.
• Provide direct support to case planners on TA and best practices for AWOC youth.
• Coordinate with Investigative Consultants to recover AWOC youth.
• Collaborate with DYCD-Safe Horizon drop-in shelters to locate youth in foster care at shelters.
• Participate in family team conferences when youth return from AWOC.
• Engage in high-risk AWOC cases with Law Enforcement, FBI, NCEMC and cross-jurisdictions.
• Bi-weekly supervision with Residential Permanency Planning unit and OC Trafficking units.
• Support OCFS in locating missing NYC youth in other jurisdictions.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY OF $60,428.00

HESE POSITIONS ARE ONLY OPEN TO CANDIDATES WHO ARE PERMAMENT (NOT PROVISIONAL) IN THE CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST CIVIL SERVICE TITLE

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 Division of Family Permanency Services (FPS) ensures that high quality services are provided to children in foster care by supporting provider agency staff with technical assistance and other services for children in foster care. FPS staff offer guidance to provider agencies on child welfare policies and procedures to improve service delivery and achieve safety, permanency, and well-being for children in foster care.

The Office of Older Youth Development Services (OYDS) is responsible for technical assistance around permanency planning and promoting shorter lengths of stay in residential placements for youth in foster care. In addition, we look at the well-being and safety of youth 12-21 years of age. The Office of Older Youth Development Services includes the following program areas: Youth Justice/PINS/DOC- Conferencing, Missing Children’s Outreach Unit, Supervision to 21, RCPPU (Residential Care Permanency Planning Unit), Fast-Track Long-Stayers, APPLA Monitoring Unit, Teen Specialist Unit, Office of Child Trafficking Prevention and Policy, Reentry, Independent Review, OYDS Special Projects and OYDS Data Accountability. We also provide guidance for the foster care agencies around child sex trafficking, iFoster, transitional plans, NYTD (National Transitional Database), Sexual Health and Reproduction, CCRS coding and crossover youth practice model and Raise the Age. OYDS- Missing Children’s Outreach Specialist.

The Missing Children Specialist would be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Facilitating training on policies and administrative directives on youth that go missing
• Reviewing and processing MCOU AWOC referral
• Working directly with provider agencies to provide direct support to case planners on TA and best practice involving AWOC youth
• Work closely with Investigative Consultants in recovering youth that are AWOC
• Working closely with DYCD-Safe Horizon drop-in shelters to recover youth that are in foster care that are at the shelter
• Participating in family team conferences for when youth return from AWOC
• Participating in high-risk AWOC cases involving Law Enforcement, FBI, NCEMC and cross-jurisdictions to recover missing and trafficked youth
• Bi-weekly supervision and group meeting with Residential Permanency Planning unit and Office of Child Trafficking Prevention and Consultation unit to discuss cross-work of cases
• Working closely with OCFS in participation of locating missing NYC youth in other jurisdictions.

Qualifications

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. Candidates must pass a test to demonstrate English language proficiency.

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. Candidates must pass a test to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Requirements for Assignment Level II

• a. Upon satisfactory completion of six months of training and experience at Assignment Level I, an employee shall be assigned to Assignment Level II.
• b. Upon completion of one year of satisfactory experience at Assignment Level II of Child Welfare Specialist and satisfactory completion of the probationary period an employee shall receive no less than the minimum salary after 18 months in title.
• c. To be appointed directly to Assignment Level II, a candidate must have, in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements set forth above, one year of satisfactory child welfare casework experience.

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.

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.