Direct Care Worker

Job Description



THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY OF $49,657.00.



*PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT CANDIDATES MUST HAVE TAKEN AND PASSED THE UPCOMING OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAM NO. 4037 OR PROMOTIONAL EXAM NO. 4525 FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE LISTED ABOVE TO AVOID BEING "BUMPED" OUT OF THE POSITION WHEN THE ELIGIBLE LIST FOR THIS TITLE IS ESTABLISHED.



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 ACS Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center (NSCC) provides children with a temporary living environment that is non-judgmental, supportive, caring and structured, and strives to heal past and ongoing trauma. We believe that every child deserves safety, happiness, health, and love in our care, no matter how long or short their stay. Children in our care are prepared to transition to placement or achieve permanency after their stay at the Children’s Center. In caring for our kids, we prioritize the values of acceptance, compassion, respect, equality, growth, education, development, promoting self-esteem, tolerance, and the preservation of self-identity. NSCC is comprised of Pre-Placement Services, the Office of Placement Administration, Social Work, Case Planning Unit, and Program Development and Staff Wellness.



The Office of Pre-Placement Services within NSCC is responsible for providing a safe and nurturing environment for children and youth between the ages of 0-21 years of age. The Office of Pre-placement services is a 24 hour a day, 7-day program that is dedicated to ensuring the social, emotional, medical, educational, and mental health needs of children and youth are being met. The Congregate Care Specialist is responsible for overseeing children and youth placed in the Children’s Center, city congregate care facilities and related functional areas of ACS, and for providing administrative support. All work is performed in accordance with agency policies and procedures, and within required deadlines.



The Congregate Care Specialist staff responsibilities include, but are not limited to:



- Under direct supervision, oversees the care, development and guidance of dependent, neglected, traumatized, and emotionally disturbed children at the Children’s Center.

- Create a welcoming, trauma-informed environment for all children entering and exiting the Children’s Center.

- Conducts individual and group orientation for youth to support NSCC program expectations and transition to placement.

- Closely supervises youths at congregate care facilities, non-secure detention facilities, and during sponsored visits and activities.

- Chaperones and/or transports youths to and from appointments, school, activities, court appearances, and other community-based activities.

- Participates and assists in planning group and individual activities.

- Monitors and supervises children in assigned areas.

- Assists children with personal hygiene, when necessary.

- Intervene in crisis situations by assessing imminent danger, and attempts appropriate de-escalation intervention, when necessary.

- Conducts regular room inspections and personal searches in order to maintain a contraband free and safe environment.

- Utilizes approved physical restraint techniques to ensure safety of residents and staff, when necessary.

- Observes changes in behavior and reports aberrations.

- Perform liaison functions to communicate with and direct inquiries and observations to other members of the inter-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive care for all children and youths.

- Answers phones and provides requested information or directs inquiries to appropriate staff.

- Completes required log entries, tracking sheets, incident reports, and other relevant documentation which supports the monitoring of youth admission/exiting, and youth being released from the Children's center.

- Participates in regular team meetings and all required trainings.

- Assist children and youth with educational and recreational activities.

- Shops for clothing, supplies, and materials as necessary.

- Communicates to the supervisor all issues in a timely manner.

- May be required to work various shifts including holidays, weekends, and overnights.





HOW TO APPLY:



APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY USING ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW:



For current city employees, go to Employee Self Service (ESS), Recruiting Activities, Careers and search for Job ID# (635022)

For all other applicants go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID# (635022) Click on the "Apply" button.



If you do not have access to a computer, most public libraries have computers available for use.



Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.





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.



CONGREG CARE SPEC-ACS(35 HR WK - 5245A



Qualifications



A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and either:



Two years of satisfactory experience working with children or youths in a congregate residential institution or non-secure detention facility; or



An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including12 semester credits in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, criminal

justice, education, nursing or cultural anthropology.



NOTE: For appointment to positions in the Department of Juvenile Justice, under qualification requirement "1" above, at least one year of the required experience must

have been with juveniles ages 7 to18.



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.





Salary Min: $ 46,693.00

Salary Max: $ 73,656.00