Peer Specialist Youth Services

New York State; City of Oneida (NY); Remote; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

New York State Office of Children and Family Services seeks a DJJOY Peer Specialist Youth Services to engage youth and families, connect them to community resources, and empower advocacy. Under the Family Engagement Specialist, you will build relationships with parents, organize monthly groups, and support youth in meetings and community activities.

You will also provide advocacy, help connect families to empowerment movements, and participate in OCFS trainings and events across Utica and Oneida

Qualifications

• Two years of experience participating in self-help activities, peer support or advocacy programs, or similar organizations.
• Experience in child welfare placement for two years or more or related juvenile justice homelessness services in NYS, or being a parent with a child in juvenile justice.

Responsibilities

• Build a supportive relationship with parents.
• Assist in organizing and conducting monthly parent support groups/workshops.
• Support 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.
• Meet with parents 1:1 in the community and at scheduled meetings.
• Participate in mandated and elective OCFS training.
• Work with OCFS Family Engagement Team and CMSO staff.
• Promote active involvement of families in OCFS events and community programs.

Skills

Peer support

Advocacy

Job description

NY HELPS No

55-b/c Eligible Yes

Agency Children & Family Services, Office of

Title Peer Specialist Youth Services

Occupational Category Other Professional Careers

Salary Grade 09

Bargaining Unit ISU - Institutional Services Unit (CSEA)

Salary Range From $50396 to $54773 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Internship No

Jurisdictional Class Non-competitive Class

Travel Percentage 30%

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 6 AM

To 6 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

County Oneida

Street Address Utica Community Multi-Services Office

207 Genesee Street

City Utica

State NY

Zip Code 13501

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 family's 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 Posted hiring rate includes the sum of the statutory hiring rate for CSEA Grade 09 ($44,560) and Increase Hiring Rate ($5,836).

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name New York State Office of Children and Family Services

Telephone [phone]

Fax [phone]

Email Address [e-mail]

Address

Street Bureau of Personnel - MG

52 Washington Street, 231 North

City Rensselaer

State NY

Zip Code 12144