Associate Youth Development Specialist

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY*

The 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.

The New York City Administration for Children’s Services is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Associate Youth Development Specialist Level I.

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.

Under general supervision, with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative, Associate Youth Development Specialist Level I duties include, but are not limited to the following :

• Supervises, mentors, coaches, and monitors the performance of Youth Development Specialists in all aspects of their work.
• Guides staff in their work with youth gangs, and in anti-bullying and violence reduction efforts.
• Supports staffs’ appropriate use of a youth behavior management system to ensure its consistent application.
• Works as part of an interdisciplinary team; promotes a safe and nurturing environment for the residential units supervised.
• Participates in interdisciplinary staff meetings and help staff develop group activities for youth.
• Ensures each youth has an individualized safety plan with goals and is working towards those goals and supports staff as they advocate for youth and their families.
• Responds to calls for help with youth and crises in the facility.
• Helps plan, monitors and evaluates programs by ensuring staff assigned to living unit have all the equipment and supplies necessary to facilitate programs.
• Supervises, mentors and coaches staff on compliance with policy and procedures concerning health, safety, and security protocols.
• Oversees performance of personnel and area security protocols such as searches and inspections.
• Monitors staff performance and conducts performance evaluations of subordinate staff.
• Supports staff in managing youth conflict using crisis intervention methods such as verbal de-escalation, reframing strategies and physical restraint techniques, using the least amount of physical intervention necessary;

debrief staff and youth after all incidents, including those requiring restraints.

• Helps schedule and deploy staff and manage coverage, assignments and time / leave.
• Supervises and coordinates youth meals and ensures staff are correctly posted in recreations yards while monitoring the interactions of different youth groups within the yards.
• Prepares requisitions, records and reports as required and supports staff development of programmatic and recreational activities for hall / living units.
• Develops supervisory skills by attending youth care conferences and training.
• Provides direct oversight to staff on school floors.
• Acts as a court liaison or transportation coordinator in Court Services - confer with Judges, Court Clerks and Probation Officers regarding youth at Family Court.
• May perform the duties of a Youth Development Specialist, as needed.
• May be required to assume the role of the Tour Commander and or perform the duties of the supervisor in that person’s temporary absence.

Minimum Qualifications

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 three 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 two years 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 one year 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 one year and six months of full-time satisfactory 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 and one year of full-time satisfactory experience as described in 1 above; 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 and at least one year of full-time satisfactory experience as described in 1 above .

For Assignment to Assignment Level II

In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" above, to be assigned to Assignment Level II, candidates must have at least one year of experience as an Associate Youth Development Specialist - Assignment Level I.

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.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position