Tour Commander

City of New York•New York City, NY

About The Position

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 the Administration for Children’s Services in secure and specialized secure detention facilities.

Requirements

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; or
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; or
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; or
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; or
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; or
A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2”, or “3” above: a. 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; b. 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; c. 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 .
For 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.

Responsibilities

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 notifies 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.
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.