Children and Family Services Specialist 1 (NY HELPS)

About the role

This Child and Family Services Specialist 1 position is located within Child Welfare Community Services (CWCS) and focuses on the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). The role involves engaging individuals with lived experience in child welfare to assist with oversight, monitoring, and policy development for New York State’s child welfare system.

Responsibilities

• Work with Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) and Voluntary Agencies using a data‑informed approach to improve outcomes for children and families based on federal and state standards.
• Participate in program reviews for LDSS and voluntary child‑care agencies, including Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) reviews, Federal Child and Family Services case reviews (CFSR/OSRI), and Voluntary Agency Reviews (VARs).
• Provide technical assistance to LDSS, voluntary agencies, and other OCFS‑licensed programs by applying a parent perspective to support the development of program improvement plans.
• Provide comments and recommendations on regulations in all program areas where the Regional Office has licensing and oversight responsibilities.
• Participate in workgroups and committees as assigned.
• Support the growth and sustainability of a family peer support program within LDSS and voluntary agencies.
• Assist in creating and implementing systems that solicit feedback from families and individuals receiving services from OCFS.
• Perform additional duties as needed.

Requirements

• One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer (transfer option).
• Open to the Public: part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS); candidates must meet the open‑competitive minimum qualifications.
• A bachelor's degree and two years of professional experience providing services to children and their families in the inspection, management, or administration of foster care, day care, adoption, domestic violence, youth detention, or other care providers assuring compliance for certification/licensing; OR providing, supervising, monitoring, or administering services for children, adults, or families in social casework, case planning, case management, counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, or direct investigation of potential abuse/neglect in human services, juvenile justice, criminal justice, LDSS, or voluntary childcare programs.
• A master's or higher degree can substitute for one year of specialized experience; a master's or higher degree in social work can substitute for two years of experience.
• This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.

Qualifications

• Personal lived/life experience accessing and using services within the child welfare system, either as a child or an adult.
• Ability to travel throughout the region/state, including some overnight travel out of the assigned region.
• Preference for candidates who meet the criteria to become a credentialed peer advocate.
• For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment (no examination required); after approximately one year, non‑competitive status is expected to convert to competitive status without further examination.
• Candidates who took and passed the most recent Professional Careers Opportunities (PCO) Exam are encouraged to apply.