Youth Development Specialist
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, juvenile justice services, and community supports. Its Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) offers services for youth throughout the juvenile justice process, with goals that include preventing youth from entering the system, providing therapeutic care to youth in custody, and helping them leave the justice system for good. DYFJ operates two secure detention facilities in New York City. These facilities provide round-the-clock care, supervision, and rehabilitation in a secure setting, while supporting positive behavioral development, education, mental health, and restorative practices. Youth Development Specialists work under direct supervision during an assigned tour of duty. They engage and support detained youth in daily activities, promote social, academic, and vocational development, mentor youth, help implement treatment and safety plans, respond to conflicts and emergencies, document observations, and support youth transportation and court-related activities. The selected candidate will be offered a salary of $55,075. Compensation is listed as USD 55,075–USD 72,210.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent, plus one of the stated qualifying education, experience, or service pathways; candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Qualifying pathways include one year of full-time satisfactory experience working directly with juveniles or young adults ages 10–24 in specified youth-serving fields; one year of full-time satisfactory security or public-safety experience in specified settings; one year of full-time satisfactory health or human services experience; or one year of honorable full-time U.S. military service commanding service members.
- Alternatively, an associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including or supplemented by six months of qualifying full-time experience, may qualify.
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college may qualify.
- A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience may qualify. Relevant academic coursework may substitute for qualifying experience at the rate of 12 semester credits for six months of experience; candidates must still have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- For certain positions, a valid New York State motor vehicle driver license is required and must be maintained for the duration of the assignment.
- Candidates for child-care responsibilities are subject to an inquiry regarding indicated child abuse and maltreatment reports on file with the statewide central register.
- Candidates are advised to file for, take, and pass the next civil service examination for the Youth Development Specialist title when available to avoid being bumped from the position when the eligible list is established.
Responsibilities
- Facilitate, engage, and support youth in daily activities, including school, routines, meals, chores, recreation, religious services, court preparation and attendance, family visits, and healthcare visits.
- Facilitate youth learning of pro-social, academic, and vocational skills.
- Mentor and guide youth individually and in groups, using a behavior management system to shape behavior.
- Facilitate youth group meetings in the residential unit.
- Address conflicts using crisis intervention methods, including verbal de-escalation, reframing strategies, and physical de-escalation techniques with the least physical intervention necessary.
- Serve, as needed, as part of a rapid response team for emergencies.
- Conduct gang remediation activities and anti-bullying and violence-reduction interventions with youth.
- Work with an interdisciplinary team to develop individualized and group treatment, programming, and safety plans, and support academic achievement.
- Follow policies and procedures, including health, safety, and security protocols concerning searches, headcounts, bed checks, volatile situations, and restraints.
- Closely observe youth and record observations.
- Complete required reports on attendance, incidents, and behavior observations.
- Participate in youth admission and orientation processes.
- Drive transport vehicles and ensure youth safety in vehicles and court detention rooms.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
