Special Officer

Special Officer

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 childcare 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 Administration (ADMIN) has employed approximately 463 public employees to provide a wide range of ACS support services, and ensure all Divisions receive adequate and efficient services to carry out their respective missions. ADMIN manages a Personnel Services (PS) budget of approximately $29M and an Other Than Personnel Services (OTPS) budget of $140M. ADMIN provides services including building maintenance, real estate, design, construction management, facilities and custodial services, occupational safety and health, operational support, security, transportation, and print production. Within ADMIN, the ACS Police & Security Unit has a headcount of 212 uniformed Special Officers who are responsible for overseeing and coordinating safety and security for all ACS locations and properties, ACS staff, children and youth in care, and visiting public / clients and families. The Unit enforces Agency policies and procedures, and the New York City (NYC) Penal Law. The Unit also provides information, guidance, and training on safety and security (e.g., Security Guard assistance, emergency response, medical distress / health crisis, bomb threats, thefts, crime prevention and threats to oneself or others) to all ACS staff. The ACS Police & Security Unit is seeking outstanding candidates to serve as Special Officers who will become integral members for one of the country's premier children's services agencies, dedicated to strengthening NYC's families and their 1.8 million children. Under general supervision, Special Officers perform work of ordinary difficulty and responsibility related to physical security, safety, loss prevention, and maintenance of order. Some of the physical activities performed by Special Officers and environmental conditions experienced are :

• Work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
• Walk and / or stand in assigned areas during tours.
• Drive or sit in patrol cars during tours while remaining alert.
• Run after fleeing suspects, climb up stairs, carry injured adults with assistance, and grip persons to prevent escape.
• Restrain suspects by use of handcuffs.
• Detect odors such as those caused by smoke or gas leaks.
• Engage in hand-to-hand struggles to subdue suspects resisting arrest.
• Be physically active for prolonged periods of time.
• Understand verbal communications over a radio with background noises.
• Read and write under low light conditions.
• Carry or wear heavy equipment.
• May be required to work rotating tours or shifts, including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
• The position requires an individual with flexibility who will be available to work overtime.

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.