Review Vacancy
AgencyChildren & Family Services, Office of
TitleChildren and Family Services Specialist 1 (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $65001 to $82656 Annually
Workday
Minimum Qualifications Transfer: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer.
Open to the Public: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position.
The qualifications for the full SG 18 level are: bachelors or higher degree AND two years of professional qualifying experience**; masters or higher degree AND one year of professional qualifying experience*; or masters or higher degree in social work.
**Qualifying experience is defined as: Either 1: providing services to children and their families either in the inspection, management, or administration of: foster care programs; day care programs; adoption programs; domestic violence programs; youth detention facilities; or other providers of care, support, and assistance to children, assuring compliance for certification or licensing purposes; OR 2: providing, supervising, monitoring, or administering services for children, adults, or their families, including but not limited to: providing social casework, case planning, case management, counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy on behalf of clients, or direct investigation of potential abuse and neglect in one or more of the following settings: human services; juvenile justice; criminal justice; local departments of social services; or local voluntary childcare service programs.
This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
Duties Description Under the direction of the OCFS Native American Services Director, the incumbent of this position assist by acting in a program capacity as a Child and Family Services Specialist 1 to Native American Services, including research, providing consultation, referral and direct services to the Indian population, public and private agencies, governmental agencies, and the public concerning matters that affect the Indian population. In carrying out these responsibilities, the incumbent performs but not limited to the following functions:
• Assist in developing and maintaining close personal working relationships with the various Native American Tribe/Nations and people within the State to provide them with advice and consultation as the availability of program to meet their specific needs.
• Provide technical assistance to local social service districts and private agencies to comply with Federal and State Indian Child Welfare Act and advise on tribal notification procedures.
• Attend court proceedings to assist local social service districts and/or voluntary agencies in compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act in court hearing and determinations.
• Collection of ICWA data to measure compliance with the Federal and state ICWA regulations, development of material to support ICWA compliance, plan, schedule and support logistic for various ICWA trainings: recruitment for training events.
• Respond to inquiries concerning all aspects of Native American people (i.e., documentation of tribal identity, certification of birth records contained in Native American census rolls; genealogical research; education benefits, scholarship, training opportunities and other areas of Indian history of benefits.
• Assist in development of tribal communications including electronic newsletters, funding announcements and training opportunities to support improved child welfare service in tribal communities.
• Provide guidance on current child welfare practices and how ICWA applies.
• Assists in supporting the importance of cultural identity to American Indian children in foster care.
• Attends and participates in meetings with groups and agencies at the federal, state and local level to exchange information.
• Knowledge of historical treaties and their importance.
Additional Comments *For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a non- competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Candidates who took and passed the most recent holding of the Professional Careers Opportunities (PCO) Exam are encouraged to apply.
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.
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 - TAB
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.