Child Protective Specialist

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FILE FOR, TAKE AND PASS THE NEXT EXAMINATION FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SPECIALIST WHEN IT IS MADE AVAILABLE.

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 Child Protection is seeking qualified candidates to serve as Child Protective Specialists within each borough office. In each Borough office (Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens), DCP Protective/ Diagnostic Units are comprised of five CPS and one CPSS II (and sometimes one CPSS I). These staff investigate reports of alleged child abuse and neglect. The PD child protective team is the largest within DCP, and the largest in each of the Borough offices. Child protective staff are responsible for investigating every allegation that is reported, and also for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the immediate safety and risk of future harm to each child in the family. Based upon the case circumstances, child protective staff may act immediately to protect the child(ren).

Under supervision of the Unit Supervisor and Child Protective Manager, with moderate latitude for the exercise of independent action and decision making, the Child Protective Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Utilize social work and investigative skills to work with families being investigated for abuse or neglect to children.

• Initiate investigations/safety interventions in response to allegations of abuse and / or neglect.

• Meet families in their home within 48 hours of receiving a report or within 24 hours when immediate danger is suspected.

• Interview and assess all children for safety.

• Interview parents/caretaker, alleged subjects, household members and collateral contacts.

• Make a Safety Assessment of children in their family immediately when required or within 7 days.

• Participate in Family Meetings or Conferences with the family or other support systems.

• Provide a determination of abuse or neglect based on the investigation within 60 days of the report.

• For indicated cases with ongoing service needs, assess on an ongoing basis the risk of future abuse or maltreatment of the children, arrange for services and work with the family to address

the reasons for risk to the child.

• Work with ACS legal staff to file petitions with Family Court when required for supervisory oversight of the family or for removal of children.

• Work collaboratively with contract agencies to provide Preventive or Foster Care when appropriate.

• Enter and maintain computerized records of case information.

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

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# 636726.

For all other applicants go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID# 636726. 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.

Minimum Qualifications

1.A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional, or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) including or supplemented by 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the following fields: social work, psychology, sociology, human services, criminal justice, education (including early childhood), nursing, or cultural anthropology, at least 12 of which must have been in one of these disciplines.

Additional Information: Section 424-a of the New York State Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities is or has been the subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report on file with the Statewide Central Register for child abuse

and maltreatment. Statewide Central Register screening will be conducted prior to considering a candidate for employment as a Child Protective Specialist. Candidates who have been the subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report may be disqualified from appointment to this position.

Requirements for Assignment Level II

a. Upon satisfactory completion of six months of training and experience at Assignment Level I, an employee shall be assigned to Assignment Level II.

b. Upon completion of one year of satisfactory experience at Assignment Level II of Child Protective Specialist and satisfactory completion of the probationary period an employee shall receive no less than the minimum salary after 18 months in title.

c. To be appointed directly to Assignment Level II, a candidate must have, in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements set forth above, one year of satisfactory child protective casework experience.

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.