Direct Care Worker

About the role

The selected candidate will be offered a salary of $49,657.00.

It is important that you file for, take, and pass the next examination for the Civil Service Title of Congregate Care Specialist when it is made available to avoid being "bumped out" of your position when the eligible list for this title is established.

Please visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dcas/employment/how-can-you-find-upcoming-exams.page.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the care, development, and guidance of dependent, neglected, traumatized, and emotionally disturbed children at the Children’s Center.
• Create a welcoming, trauma-informed environment for all children entering and exiting the Children’s Center.
• Conduct individual and group orientation for youth to support NSCC program expectations and transition to placement.
• Closely supervise youths at congregate care facilities, non-secure detention facilities, and during sponsored visits and activities.
• Chaperone and/or transport youth to and from appointments, school, activities, court appearances, and other community-based activities.
• Participate and assist in planning group and individual activities.
• Monitor and supervise children in assigned areas.
• Aid children with personal hygiene, when necessary.
• Intervene in crisis situations by assessing imminent danger and attempting appropriate de-escalation intervention when necessary.
• Conduct frequent room inspections and personal searches to maintain a contraband-free and safe environment.
• Utilize approved physical restraint techniques to ensure safety of residents and staff, when necessary.
• Observe changes in behavior and report aberrations.
• Answer phones and provide requested information or direct inquiries to appropriate staff.
• Complete required log entries, tracking sheets, incident reports, and other relevant documentation supporting the monitoring of youth admission/exiting and youth release from the Children's Center.
• Aid children and youth with educational and recreational activities.
• Shop for clothing, supplies, and materials as necessary.

Requirements

• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and two years of satisfactory full-time experience working with children or youths in a congregate residential institution or non-secure detention facility;
• An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including 12 semester credits in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, criminal justice, education, nursing, or cultural anthropology;
• A satisfactory combination of education and experience that is equivalent to 1 or 2 above. College education may be substituted for the required experience in 1 above on the basis that 30 semester credits, including 12 semester credits in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, criminal justice, education, nursing, or cultural anthropology from an accredited college or university, is equated to one year of experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Pass the Civil Service Title of Congregate Care Specialist examination.
• Have a valid New York State driver’s license.
• Be able to work various shifts including holidays, weekends, and overnights.

Skills

Skills required for this position include:

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of child development and trauma-informed care.
• Experience with crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Benefits

No benefits are provided for this position.

Pay

The starting salary for this position is $49,657.00.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is 35 hours per week.

Benefits

No benefits are provided for this position.

Application

To apply, please visit https://www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or https://www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID#761200.

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.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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 https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

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.