Tour Commander

NYC Administration for Children's Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,672 - 96,686; Full time

Job summary

NYC Administration for Children's Services is hiring an Associate Youth Development Specialist in New York to oversee and evaluate youth care operations. The selected candidate will supervise other staff and implement programs aimed at improving youth behavior in juvenile detention settings.

Applicants should have a four-year high school diploma or equivalent and relevant experience working with juveniles. The role requires strong analytical and communication skills and is part of a team focused on fostering youth development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years experience working with youth in various settings.
• Strong judgment and ability to lead teams in juvenile detention.
• Experience developing care plans for youth in custody.

Responsibilities

• Supervise work of Associate Youth Development Specialists.
• Implement behavior management programs.
• Review incident reports and ensure policy compliance.
• Coordinate service delivery to youth.
• Assist in developing youth care plans and performance evaluations.

Skills

Juvenile detention understanding

Analytical ability

Decision making under pressure

Organizational skills

Team leadership

Education

Four year high school diploma

Associate degree in a related field

Job description

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE(S) WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $85,672.00 – $96,686.00.

THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CANDIDATES WHO ARE PERMANENT (NOT PROVISIONAL) IN THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE ASSOCIATE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST.

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 (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) provides a wide range of services and programs for youth at every stage of the juvenile justice process. Our goals are to (a) build stronger and safer communities and advance public safety by preventing juveniles from entering the New York City’s juvenile justice system, (b) provide therapeutic treatment and services to youth in our custodial care, and (c) help juveniles access the tools they need to leave the justice system for good. We strive to help families and young people by providing supportive services that are responsive to the needs of individual youth and families.

DYFJ directly operates two secure detention facilities for Juvenile Delinquents, Juvenile Offenders and Adolescent Offenders whose cases are pending in Family Court or the Youth Parts in Supreme Court: Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brooklyn and Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx, where youth receive comprehensive services including medical, dental, mental health care, and education. This position is an integral part of an interdisciplinary team responsible for the custody, direct care, supervision, counseling and accountability of youths in the custody of ACS in secure and specialized secure detention facilities.

Tour Commander Duties

• Assign, supervise, and evaluate the work performed by the Associate Youth Development Specialists.
• Implement and operationalize the behavior management incentive program.
• Review incident reports and notify the Movement Control and Communications Unit (MCCU) of incidents in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Work daily to operationalize and coordinate the delivery of services to youth throughout the detention facility.
• Review and assist in scheduling and assigning staff operationally to maintain adequate coverage for the direct care units and facility.
• Conduct individual and group conferences with the Associate Youth Development Specialist‑1 and Youth Development Specialists concerning the interpretation and implementation of agency policies and procedures, including Safe Crisis Management techniques for use in youth behavioral/adjustment issues and the development of staff skills to observe, record, and address youth behaviors of concern.
• Prepare and submit reports, tasks, and standards, and performance evaluations, and reviews and processes City Time in accordance with agency policy.
• Assist the team in the formulation of youth care plans, prepares requisitions as necessary, and reviews requisitions, records and reports submitted by subordinate staff.
• Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team that meets weekly and plans for youth placement, safety, and delivery of services, as well as attends programming and special needs meetings.

Special Note

• Staff may be required to drive agency vehicles for youth transportation and act as a court representative or transportation coordinator.
• Staff may be assigned to work based on the operational needs of the facility and may include holidays and weekends.

Preferred Skills

• An understanding of the functions and operations of juvenile detention.
• Demonstrated superior judgment and analytical ability.
• Ability to problem solve and make decisions in a timely manner.
• Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadline.
• Strong organizational, written, and oral communications skills.
• Able to lead and work as part of a team.

55a Program: This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55‑a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55‑a Program.

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 not required for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

• A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s department of education or a recognized accrediting organization, and three years of full‑time satisfactory experience working directly with juveniles or young adults (ages 10‑24) in a group, community, educational, or institutional setting or program performing recreational, juvenile detention, vocational, mentoring, or anti‑violence work; or youth leadership development, young adult leadership development, youth and family health promotion, community organizing with youth and families, and/or closely related activities, which can include internships, volunteer work, athletic programs, or closely related experience;
• An associate degree from an accredited college or completion of 60 semester credits of study at an accredited college including or supplemented by two years and three months of full‑time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above;
• An associate degree from an accredited college or completion of 60 semester credits of study at an accredited college, including or supplemented by 12 semester credits in social work, counseling, education, recreation, criminal justice, psychology, biology, sociology, human services or a closely related field; and one year and nine months of full‑time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above;
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by one year and six months of full‑time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above;
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by 12 semester credits in social work, counseling, education, recreation, criminal justice, psychology, biology, sociology, human services or a closely related field and one year of full‑time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above;
• A satisfactory combination of education and or experience equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above;
• Honorable full‑time United States military service commanding young adults (up to age 24) may be substituted for experience as described in "1" above, on a year‑for‑year basis, up to a maximum of two years of military service for two years of experience;
• Academic coursework in social work, counseling, education, recreation, criminal justice, psychology, biology, sociology, human services or a closely related field may be substituted for experience as described in "1" above, at the rate of 12 semester credits from an accredited college for 6 months of experience;
• General undergraduate education may be substituted for experience as described in "1" above, at the rate of 60 semester credits from an accredited college for 9 months of experience.

However, all candidates must possess a four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and at least one year of full‑time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above.

Assignment to Assignment Level II

In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" above, to be assigned to Assignment Level II, candidates must have at least one year of experience as an Associate Youth Development Specialist – Assignment Level I.

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.