Youth Support Specialist

Austin Community College; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A community college in New York is seeking a Youth Support Specialist to supervise court-placed youth aged 12-20 in secure and non-secure residential facilities. The role involves ensuring a safe environment, engaging in conflict resolution, and assisting youth in educational and community goals. Ideal candidates should have direct care experience with youth and possess a valid NYS motor vehicle license. Weekly shifts, weekends, and overtime may be required.

Qualifications

• Two years full-time direct care experience with youth aged 6-21.
• Valid motor vehicle operator’s license for New York State.
• Completion of Juvenile Justice Basic Training orientation.

Responsibilities

• Supervise court-placed youth in secure facilities.
• Engage in conflict resolution and maintain facility security.
• Assist youth in achieving education and community transition goals.

Skills

Youth supervision

Conflict resolution

Effective communication

Empathy and mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Associate’s degree

High school diploma

Job description

The Youth Support Specialist (YSS) works directly to supervise court-placed youth, age 12‑20, who reside at OCFS secure, limited‑secure, and/or non‑secure residential facilities. YSSs are part of a team that ensures that a facility is physically secure—responsible for youth movement, key and door control, and conflict resolution—and emotionally safe for both youth and other staff. YSSs help create a professional, healthy, and therapeutic environment.

Responsibilities

• Establish a relationship of professionalism, confidence, safety, and trust with youth and other staff from different racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, physical ability, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) and/or socio-economic backgrounds; supervise and monitor youth, which may include 1‑to‑1 supervision, depending on a youth’s clinical needs.
• Actively participate as a member of a youth’s support team—a treatment-focused group of professional and para-professional staff who work together to address emotional and behavioral needs and goals of youth.
• Be confident in engaging with people who may be under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Employ graduated harm reduction strategies while supervising youth. This includes correcting, and in some cases, verbally or physically intervening when a youth displays unsafe behaviors toward themselves or other youth and staff. Harm reduction requires that a YSS learn to recognize personal or situational flags that could lead to conflict or harm, provide positive mentorship, and help youth work on interpersonal skills and self‑regulation strategies.
• Take opportunities to improve the well‑being of the facility community by being collaborative and informed.
• Supervise and/or assist youth during recreation and education activities, as well as take on various as‑needed assignments.
• Establish and maintain positive, professional, and appropriate relationships with youths’ families and loved ones.
• Assist youth in achieving education, work readiness, and community transition goals.

Training Requirements

Attend a 2‑week Juvenile Justice Basic Training orientation, be proficient in OCFS‑approved physical skills and youth restraint techniques (given twice a year for eight hours total), take NYS employee‑mandated annual trainings, and other annual training refreshers.

• Some intrastate travel may be required (e.g., supervision at youth medical appointments, intramural games, extracurricular activities, or other events).
• The YSS position is physically demanding. A candidate must be prepared to act to ensure the health and safety of youth and staff, which may include use of approved physical restraint techniques.

Other Information

• The YSS position is at all nine facilities operated by OCFS. Vacancies are throughout the state.
• The YSS position requires shift, weekend, holiday, and overtime assignments, including mandatory and voluntary overtime.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years full‑time direct care experience* in the care and programming of youth from ages 6‑21
• OR a Bachelor’s degree
• OR an Associate’s degree AND six months experience
• OR a high school graduation or equivalency diploma AND one year of experience*
• OR a satisfactory equivalent combination of the above education and experience requirements

*Direct care experience with youth involved in the juvenile justice system or in an institution, camp, school, community center, youth rehabilitation program, mental health or correctional institution, or residential center.

Appropriate verifiable part‑time experience will be accepted on a prorated basis.

Satisfactory completion of the probation period must include possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle legally in New York State.