Family Service Specialist

About the role

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $62,868.00 - $72,298.00.

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.

Juvenile Justice Initiative (JJI) is the first alternative to placement and aftercare program in New York City to use evidence-based therapeutic interventions to improve outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Juvenile Justice Initiative serves adolescents that have a delinquency finding and can be maintained in the community through intensive services. Juvenile Justice Initiative staff performs critically important work in the planning, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the Juvenile Justice Initiative Program.

Specific duties include but not limited to

• Assess and identify court-involved youth to determine eligibility for Juvenile Justice Initiative program and services.
• Fieldwork to include interviewing youth in detention centers and interviewing family members in their homes to assess eligibility for the program.
• Act as liaison between detention, the Department of Probation, Family Court, Corporation Counsel (prosecutor), and the youth's attorney in the context of individual youths' JD cases.
• Develop detailed and comprehensive written reports for judges, attorneys, and other social service providers on the appropriateness of JJI for particular youth.
• Testify in court regarding acceptance of youth into the program and in support of the submitted written reports.
• Develop a thorough understanding of evidence-based therapeutic modalities for youth in the juvenile justice system, including Multi-systemic Therapy and Family Functional Therapy.
• On occasion, troubleshoot cases of "dual jurisdiction" youth (youth involved in both the child welfare and criminal/juvenile justice system).
• Coordinate case conferences with multiple parties involved in a particular case to determine the best outcome for the youth.

Special Note

• Will be required to provide coverage for colleagues in other boroughs as necessary.

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 baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.