Child Protective Specialist

Child Protective Specialist

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

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. Candidates must pass a test to demonstrate English language proficiency. 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

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.