Youth Development Specialist

City of New York•New York City, NY

3d•$55,075

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 manages two secure detention facilities for youth in New York City, providing round-the clock care, supervision, and rehabilitation. Operating 24/7, the facility is responsible for the safety and well-being of detained minors, ensuring a secure environment while promoting positive behavioral development. Staff oversee daily activities, monitor behavior, and implement individualized treatment plans. The facility prioritizes security, education, mental health support, and restorative practices to address the needs of detained youth. Additionally, staff maintain compliance with state regulations and best practices for youth detention. Youth Development Specialists, under direct supervision during an assigned tour of duty will perform the following duties but not limited to:

Requirements

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and one of the following: a. one year of full-time satisfactory experience working directly with juveniles or young adults (ages 10-24) in juvenile detention, education, vocational rehabilitation or education, antiviolence work, mental health, counseling, mentoring, youth/young adult leadership development, recreation, sports or athletics, health promotion, community organizing, and/or closely related activities; or b. one year of full-time satisfactory experience working in security or public safety in one of the following settings: i. an educational setting, for example as a school safety agent, or; ii. in juvenile or young adult detention, or; iii. in a community services setting which primarily serves juveniles and young adults (ages 10-24); or c. one year of full-time satisfactory experience working in a health or human services field such as mental health, counselling, nursing, life or career coaching, casework, social work, probation, congregate care, physical fitness, or sportstraining; or d. one year of honorable full-time United States military service commanding service members; or Notes: Experience described in 1 “a” & “c” above can include internships, volunteer work, athletic programs, or closely related experience. Verifiable experience working as a correction officer in a facility specifically assigned to juveniles or young adults (ages 10 to 24) may be qualifying under “1b” above, however experience as a correction officer working with an adult population (over age 24) is not qualifying.
An associate degree from an accredited college or completion of 60 semester credits of study at an accredited college, including or supplemented by six months of full-time satisfactory experience as described in “1 a, b, or c” above; or
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or
A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to the above; 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. a, b, or c” above at the rate of 12 semester credits from an accredited college for 6 months of experience; however, all candidates must possess a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.
For certain positions a motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York is required. This license must be maintained for duration of the assignment.
Section 424-a of the New York State Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities is or has been the subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report on file with the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment.

Responsibilities

Facilitate, engage and support youth in all activities including school, wake-up and bedtime routines, meals, chores, recreation, religious services, court preparation, court attendance, family visits, healthcare visits and other activities as necessary
Facilitate youth learning of pro-social, academic and vocational skills
Mentor and guide youth individually and in groups while using a behavior management system to shape youth behavior
Facilitate youth group meetings in the residential unit
Address conflicts with crisis intervention methods such as verbal de-escalation, reframing strategies and physical de-escalation techniques using the least amount of physical intervention necessary
May serve as part of a rapid response team to respond to emergency situations
Work with youth to provide gang remediation activities and anti-bullying and violence reduction interventions
As part of an interdisciplinary team, develop individualized and group treatment, programming and safety plans and support for academic achievement
Follow all policies and procedures including health, safety, and security protocols such as those concerning searches, headcounts, bed checks, intervention in volatile situations, the use of restraints and others
Observe youth closely 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