Youth Support Specialist

Job Overview The Youth Support Specialist (YSS) works directly to supervise court-placed youth, age 12‑20, who reside at OCFS secure, limited‑secure, and/or non‑secure residential facilities. YSSs are part of a team that ensures a facility is physically secure (e.g., responsible for youth movement, key and door control, and conflict resolution) and emotionally safe for both youth and other staff. YSSs help create a professional, healthy, and therapeutic environment. Establish a relationship of professionalism, confidence, safety, and trust with youth and other staff from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity expression (SOGIE), and socio‑economic backgrounds. Supervise and monitor youth, which may include 1‑to‑1 supervision depending on a youth’s clinical needs. Actively participate as a member of a youth’s support team—a treatment‑focused group of professional and para‑professional staff who work together to address the emotional and behavioral needs and goals of youth. Be confident in engaging with people who may be under physical and/or emotional stress. Employ graduated harm‑reduction strategies while supervising youth, correcting and, when necessary, verbally or physically intervening when a youth displays unsafe behaviors toward themselves or others. Take opportunities to improve the well‑being of the facility community by being collaborative and informed. Supervise and/or assist youth during recreation and education activities, and take on various as‑needed assignments. Establish and maintain positive, professional, and appropriate relationships with youths’ families and loved ones. Assist youth in achieving education, work readiness, and community transition goals. Some intrastate travel may be required (e.g., supervision at youth medical appointments, intramural games, extracurricular activities, or other events). The position is physically demanding; a candidate must be prepared to act to ensure the health and safety of youth and staff, which may include use of approved physical restraint techniques. Training Requirements Attend a 2‑week Juvenile Justice Basic Training orientation, be proficient in OCFS‑approved physical skills and youth restraint techniques (given twice a year for eight hours total), take NYS employee mandated annual trainings, and other annual training refreshers. Other Information The YSS position is at all nine OCFS facilities. Vacancies are throughout the state. The position requires shift, weekend, holiday, and overtime assignments, including mandatory and voluntary overtime. Minimum Qualifications Two years full‑time direct care experience* in the care and programming of youth ages 6‑21. OR a Bachelor’s degree. OR an Associate’s degree AND six months of experience. OR a high school graduation or equivalency diploma AND one year of experience*. OR a satisfactory equivalent combination of the above education and experience requirements. *Direct care experience with youth involved in the juvenile justice system or in an institution, camp, school, community center, youth rehabilitation program, mental health or correctional institution, or residential center. Appropriate verifiable part‑time experience will be accepted on a prorated basis. Completion of the probation period must include possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle legally in New York State. Background Investigation Requirements 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, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees, employees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Physical/Medical Requirements Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include a fitness test, a medical standards evaluation, and a substance abuse screening. Equal Opportunity Employer 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr