Assistant Commissioner, Horizon

About the role

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $155,000.00 - $165,000.00.

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.

Some specific duties of the Assistant Commissioner of Operations for Horizon will include but are not limited to:

Oversight and management of detention operations

• Ensure optimal operation of the secure juvenile detention center in accordance with all relevant federal, state, and city regulations, as well as in compliance with all agency policies, procedures, and court orders and decrees while ensuring community safety is always maintained.
• Ensure the safety, security, and wellness of all building personnel and the health, welfare, and safety of the youth in care.
• Organize regular searches for contraband and manages the recovery and storage of contraband, coordinating with ACS Police, the NYC Department of Investigation, as necessary.
• Ensure safe and efficient movement of youth, staff, vendors, and visitors, through the facility.
• Monitor and manage physical space including egress and ingress, security equipment, and Genetec camera system coordinating with the Division of Administration and other units as required to ensure good working order.
• Ensure consistent adherence to all policies and procedures, including proper and standardized incident review and reporting protocols.
• Coordinate with ACS Police on all security matters.
• Develop and implement contingency and response plans to potential emergencies and security breaches, including running drills.
• Oversee incident response, including the creation and staffing of a dedicated Rapid Response Team.
• Maintain productive relationships with external stakeholders including community groups, union locals, public and private agencies, service delivery partners and oversight agencies.
• Coordinate with secure detention leadership to ensure alignment of practice across facilities.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Deputy or Associate Commissioner.
• Develop a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Conduct risk maintenance assessments and provides Deputy and Associate Commissioner with regular reports and recommendations.

Special Note

• Candidate will be required to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Additional Information

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

To Apply

No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.

Note: Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and four years of full-time, paid professional experience in a child care institution or in group work with children in a child care setting, including two years in an administrative capacity; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college in sociology, psychology, education, public administration or a closely related field, and five years of full-time paid professional experience as described in "1" above including two years in an administrative capacity; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have two years of administrative experience in a child care setting.