Child Abuse Prevention Specialist 1
Duties Description
Receives, reviews, and investigates significant incidents and reports of alleged child abuse or maltreatment in congregate care settings. Reports can come in twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and the investigation must begin within twenty-four hours to include a safety assessment and safety plan. Must be available for on call/after hours on a rotating basis.
Conduct abuse/neglect investigations as assigned following state protocols and mandates, analyzing all information obtained to make a recommended determination to the Justice Center.
Provides technical assistance and training to congregate care facility staff regarding agency regulations and policies, laws relating to child abuse, preventive measures, or appropriate corrective action methods.
Consults with Justice Center and agency attorneys in preparation for fair hearings and testifies at hearings when necessary.
Provides technical assistance and monitoring to local districts in foster care and child protective issues when necessary.
Participate in program reviews for local departments of social services and voluntary child-care agencies when assigned, including Child Protective, Foster Care, Voluntary Agency and Child and Family Services Reviews.
Work with Local Districts and Voluntary Agencies when assigned to assist in oversight/monitoring activities
Collaborate with other regional office staff on assignments when needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Six years of professional children and family services experience, including or supplemented by two years in the planning, development, or delivery of child abuse or neglect prevention programs. Experience also must include or be supplemented by one year of investigative experience.
Substitutions
An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
Children and family services experience
Children and family services experience may include, but is not limited to, adoption services, foster care services for children and/or adults, preventive services, and protective services for children and/or adults.
Additional Comments
Note: All candidates appointed to this title must be able to fulfill the transportation-related duties of the title at the time of appointment, and throughout their tenure in the title. A valid NYS Driver’s license is required.
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 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. 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. 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. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged 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.