Vulnerable Persons Protection Specialist 1 / Trainee

Staff the 24-hour, seven-day-a-week hotline. Various shifts are available and will be discussed at interview.

Responsibilities

• Receive information pertaining to allegations of abuse, neglect, and/or significant incidents involving vulnerable persons from mandated reporters and others, and make decisions to ensure the health and safety of the individuals who are the focus of the alleged abuse or neglect.
• Interview callers to elicit essential information from the reporter, including the problem, allegation, complaint, names and addresses of the parties involved, and any other details relevant to the alleged incident.
• Determine the immediacy and type of response needed based on the information received and an initial risk assessment; ensure appropriate and immediate protections are implemented and confirm all required notifications are completed in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Evaluate reported allegations to determine if the information is sufficient to constitute a reportable incident; redirect callers to other appropriate agencies or entities when necessary.
• Document all aspects of the information received, the actions taken, and the assessment conducted.

Requirements

Vulnerable Persons Protection Specialist Trainee, Grade 13:

• Bachelor’s degree; or
• Associate degree in a human services field and one year of experience in one of the following:
  • Direct provision of services that includes the care, review, investigation, assessment, treatment, or case planning for persons in facilities or programs covered by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act of 2012; or
  • Development, implementation, or administration of a program that provides quality assurance, conducts incident reviews, investigates, or provides treatment in facilities or programs covered by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act of 2012; or
  • Primary responsibility (at least 50% of official duties) in the direct provision of adult or child protective services, defined as the investigation, assessment, treatment, and/or case planning of reported cases of adult or child abuse and maltreatment; or
• Three years of the above experience.

Vulnerable Persons Protection Specialist 1, Grade 16:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a human services field; or
• Bachelor’s degree and completion of a one-year traineeship; or
• Associate degree in a human services field and two years of experience in one of the following:
  • Direct provision of services that includes the care, review, investigation, assessment, treatment, or case planning for persons in facilities or programs covered by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act of 2012; or
  • Development, implementation, or administration of a program that provides quality assurance, conducts incident reviews, investigates, or provides treatment in facilities or programs covered by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act of 2012; or
  • Primary responsibility (at least 50% of official duties) in the direct provision of adult or child protective services, defined as the investigation, assessment, treatment, and/or case planning of reported cases of adult or child abuse and maltreatment; or
• Four years of the above experience.

About the Agency

Established in 2013 by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act, the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (Justice Center) is charged with protecting over one million New Yorkers under the care or jurisdiction of six State Oversight Agencies. Learn more about the Justice Center.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Holiday and paid time off
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  • Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
  • Affordable health care options
  • Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
  • NYS Deferred Compensation plan
  • Access to NY 529 College Savings Program
• Note: Specific benefits and programs may vary based on negotiating unit, current contract, and length of State service.