Child Protective Specialist

City of New York•Kew Gardens, NY

About The Position

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Division of Child Protection is seeking Child Protective Specialists for borough offices in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens. Child Protective Specialists investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect and conduct comprehensive assessments of children’s immediate safety and risk of future harm. Depending on circumstances, staff may take immediate action to protect children. Under the supervision of a Unit Supervisor and Child Protective Manager, and with moderate latitude to exercise independent judgment, the specialist works with families, assesses safety and risk, coordinates services and interventions, and maintains computerized case records. The selected candidate will be offered a salary of $58,984.00. Candidates are advised to file for, take, and pass the next civil service examination for Child Protective Specialist when available to avoid being displaced when the eligible list is established.

Requirements

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college.
Pass a test demonstrating English language proficiency.
To be appointed directly to Assignment Level II, have one year of satisfactory child protective casework experience in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications.
To progress to Assignment Level II, satisfactorily complete six months of training and experience at Assignment Level I.
To receive no less than the minimum salary after 18 months in title, complete one year of satisfactory experience at Assignment Level II and satisfactorily complete the probationary period.
File for, take, and pass the civil service examination for Child Protective Specialist when it becomes available to avoid being displaced when the eligible list is established.

Responsibilities

Use social work and investigative skills to work with families being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
Initiate investigations and safety interventions in response to allegations of abuse or neglect.
Meet families in their homes within 48 hours of receiving a report, or within 24 hours when immediate danger is suspected.
Interview and assess all children for safety.
Interview parents or caretakers, alleged subjects, household members, and collateral contacts.
Complete a safety assessment of children immediately when required or within seven days.
Participate in family meetings or conferences with the family or other support systems.
Determine whether abuse or neglect occurred based on the investigation within 60 days of the report.
For indicated cases with ongoing service needs, assess risk of future abuse or maltreatment on an ongoing basis, arrange services, and work with the family to address risks to the child.
Work with ACS legal staff to file petitions with Family Court when supervisory oversight of the family or removal of children is required.
Collaborate with contract agencies to provide preventive or foster care services when appropriate.
Enter and maintain computerized case information.