Program Counselor

NYC Department of Social Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYC Department of Social Services seeks a Program Counselor to enhance youth development within juvenile detention facilities. Responsibilities include implementing programs, facilitating workshops, and collaborating with staff to support youth. Ideal candidates will have a degree and experience in community work.

Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in community work or related activities.
• Experience in planning and coordinating youth development activities.

Responsibilities

• Implement behavioral and recreational programming for youth.
• Facilitate workshops and activities addressing youth needs.
• Collaborate with facility staff for program development.

Skills

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Leadership

Education

Baccalaureate degree

High school graduation

Job description

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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.

The Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) is responsible for oversight and management of secure and non-secure detention services for juveniles (e.g., youths) and adolescent offenders awaiting disposition in family, criminal, and/or supreme courts. DYFJ also oversees a wide network of providers throughout the five boroughs that operate Non-Secure and Limited Secure Placement sites for youth who are adjudicated delinquent and are placed by the New York City Family Court, and a vast network of community-based alternative programs for youth involved in, or at risk for involvement in, the Juvenile Justice system.

Under administrative supervision, the Program Counselor is responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation, facilitation, assessment of programmatic services and youth development activities for youth in youth living spaces and designated recreational, programmatic and youth living spaces.

Specific duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Implement behavioral, recreational, and pro-social programing within a juvenile detention facility for youth pending court proceedings or as a sentence after a conviction for either felony or misdemeanor offenses to promote idleness reduction and positive behavior
• Facilitate activities, groups, workshops and youth and family-focused events addressing criminogenic needs, the acquisition of life skills, including vocational and non-vocational programming provided on the halls/units, development of internships, support for Regents exams and remediation, after-school activities, and discharge planning
• Work within the secure facilities with contracted vendors and the DOE to develop and support implementation of programmatic activities for all youth in secure detention, including daily living activities and schedules and logistical coordination
• Collaborate with other DYFJ facility staff to ensure the appropriate development, implementation, and maintenance of a youth behavior management system
• Accompany youth to facility programs and activities
• Engage families in relevant areas of programming to better support youth interests and gains
• Participate in detention, milieu-based meetings, conferences, team meetings and weekly program meetings to support the planning, development of special programs across youth living spaces and other designated programming spaces, as well as the coordination of care and behavior plans, and discharge recommendations for youth that will enable them to return to the community with reduced risk to reoffend
• Track and verify youth attendance and participation at all programs including summer youth employment, after school programs, and skills-based programs and internships
• Work with intra-divisional staff to develop and adopt innovative activities and programs that promote teamwork, leadership, problem solving, critical thinking, building self-confidence, reducing violence, and encouraging healthy lifestyles through sports and physical exercise
• Meet with detention resident council to elicit Youth input and participation in program design and development
• Ensure the required completion and maintenance of reports and other documentation requested by DYFJ administration including individual support plans, statistical reports, data entry, and programming logs that are contemporaneous, accessible and used as the basis for planning, management and evaluation
• Aide in the collection of programmatic data, including youth and staff pre- and post-surveys to gauge interest and quality of programs
• Attend meetings with and on behalf of the Program Supervisor, and conduct appropriate follow-up from meetings with relevant staff, and contracted vendors.
  
  

Additional Information

This job opening has been reposted. Previous applicants do not need to reapply

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.

TO APPLY

Please go to www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID #631193.

No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.

Note: Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

Minimum Qualifications

• 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
• 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
• 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.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

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• Industries

  Government Administration

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