Youth Development Specialist

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York City’s children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care services. In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through preventive services and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home.

The New York City Administration for Children’s Services, Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) provides secure and non-secure detention (NSD) services for Juvenile Delinquents and Juvenile Offenders whose cases are pending in the Family or Criminal Courts. Judges decide whether youth should be detained while their court cases are being resolved, and in which type of residential setting youth should reside, depending on the youth’s risk level. The Administration for Children’s Services is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Youth Development Specialist (YDS). 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 juvenile detention facilities.

Youth Development Specialists, under direct supervision during an assigned tour of duty, will perform the following duties:
- 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, health care 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 and elsewhere.
- 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.

Minimum Qualifications
 

1. 1. A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s department of education or a recognized accrediting organization, and two 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

2. An associate degree from an accredited college or completion of 60 semester credits of study at an accredited college, including or supplemented by one year and three months of full-time satisfactory experience as described in “1” above; or

3. 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 nine months of full-time satisfactory experience as described in “1” above; or

4. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by at least six months experience as described in “1” above; or

5. 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; or

6. 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.

55a Program
This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
New York City Residency is not required for this position.
Additional Information
 

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.