Peer Specialist Youth Services

NYS Office of Children and Family Services; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services seeks a DJJOY Peer Specialist to engage youth and families through parent/caregiver groups and connect them with community resources, empowering families to advocate for their needs.

You will organize monthly parent support groups, assist in meetings for youth placed with OCFS, provide advocacy, and work with the Family Engagement Team and CMSO staff to promote active family involvement in OCFS programs and community activities.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience participating in self-help activities, peer support or advocacy programs.
• Must have been in child welfare placement for two years or more above the age of 8, or had juvenile justice placement, or received homeless youth services in New York State, or be a parent of a child involved in juvenile justice.

Responsibilities

• Build a supportive relationship with parents.
• Assist Family Engagement Specialist in organizing and conducting monthly parent support groups/workshops.
• Support the parents of OCFS placed youth in meetings and appointments.
• Provide advocacy for parents of youth placed with OCFS.
• Connect parents to empowerment movements to elevate their role promoting families.
• Meet with parents on a regular basis through 1:1 engagements in the community and at scheduled meetings, at the discretion of the Family Engagement Specialist.
• Participate in mandated and elective training opportunities as prescribed by OCFS.
• Work closely with OCFS Family Engagement Team and CMSO staff.
• Help promote and support the active involvement of families in events or activities that occur at OCFS facilities and in community programs.

Skills

Peer support

Advocacy

Community engagement

Job description

Duties Description

Under the direction of the Family Engagement Specialist, the DJJOY Peer Specialists will assist CMSO staff by engaging youth and families through a network of parent/caregiver support groups, connecting them to community based resources, and empowering families to advocate for their own needs. They will strengthen the families ability to utilize resources available to them and encourage positive relationships between youth and parent/caregiver.

The incumbent will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• Build a supportive relationship with parents.
• Assist Family Engagement Specialist in organizing and conducting monthly parent support groups/workshops.
• Support the parents of OCFS placed youth in meetings and appointments.
• Provide advocacy for parents of youth placed with OCFS.
• Connect parents to larger empowerment movements to elevate their understanding of their role promoting families.
• Meet with parents on a regular basis through 1:1 engagements in the community and at scheduled meetings, at the discretion of the Family Engagement Specialist.
• Participate in mandated and elective training opportunities as prescribed by OCFS.
• Work closely with OCFS Family Engagement Team and CMSO staff
• Help promote and support the active involvement of families in events or activities that occur at OCFS facilities and in community programs.

Minimum Qualifications

Two years of experience participating in self -help activities, peer support or advocacy programs, or similar organizations. Applicant must have been in child welfare placement for two years or more above the age of 8 or had juvenile justice placement or received homeless youth services in New York State or are a parent who has had a child involved in the juvenile justice system.

Additional Comments

Telecommuting is available for this position, however, it is at the sole discretion of the assigned supervisor and the Office of Community Partnerships when a candidate may be considered. Telecommuting applications will be reviewed and approved on a case by case basis in accordance with the OCFS Telecommuting Pilot Program Policy.

Background Investigation Requirements

• All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
• All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
• For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff, and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.