Review Vacancy
AgencyChildren & Family Services, Office of
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitISU - Institutional Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $40193 to $49405 Annually
Minimum Qualifications Two years of experience participating in mental health self-help activities, peer support or advocacy programs, or similar organizations. Must have been in child welfare placement for two years or more above the age of 8 or had juvenile placement or received homeless youth services in New York State.
Duties Description The Peer Specialist (Youth Services) will provide support and technical assistance to social services districts, OCFS facilities, youth bureaus and authorized agencies that serve youth in foster care, detention, and homeless residential settings. The incumbent will be responsible for performing the following duties:
Assist agencies in identifying areas in which youth may need additional support or resources.
Assist in reviewing policies and practices, training curriculum and manuals
Interact with youth and agencies from the perspective of an individual with lived experience, using discretion in sharing experiences that have been beneficial in transitioning from care.
Support agencies in identifying developmentally appropriate goals for transition age youth and young adults
Assist agencies and districts and local government in identifying opportunities to improve youth and family voice
Assist agencies in providing youth with access to available community resources, benefits, and linkages to essential supports (such as legal, housing, education, medical and financial services).
Advocate for the needs of youth by sharing knowledge and lived experience perspective with other human service providers.
Identifies potential supports for youth, is empowering, and must have the skills to handle difficult conversations, to think critically and be solution focused.
Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.
Additional Comments Background Investigation Requirements:
1) All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
2) All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
3) For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.
The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff, and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Email Address eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov
Address
Street Bureau of Personnel - CMV
52 Washington Street, 231 North
Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should e-mail their resume and letter of interest to eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov You MUST include the Vacancy number of the position in the subject line of your email and/or cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. In order to qualify you for the position when you have current or prior New York State employment, you may be contacted by OCFS Personnel for your social security number to confirm your employment history.