Youth Support Specialist

Duties

The Youth Support Specialist (YSS) works directly to supervise court‑placed youth, age 12‑20, who reside at OCFS secure, limited‑secure, and/or non‑secure residential facilities. YSSs are part of a team that ensures a facility is physically secure (responsible for youth movement, key and door control, and conflict resolution) and emotionally safe for both youth and staff, helping create a professional, healthy, and therapeutic environment.

• Establish a relationship of professionalism, confidence, safety, and trust with youth and staff from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, physical‑ability, SOGIE, and socio‑economic backgrounds.
• Supervise and monitor youth, including 1‑to‑1 supervision as needed based on clinical needs.
• Actively participate as a member of a youth’s support team—a treatment‑focused group addressing emotional and behavioral needs.
• Engage confidently with individuals who may be under physical or emotional stress.
• Employ graduated harm‑reduction strategies, correcting and intervening verbally or physically when unsafe behaviors occur.
• Recognize personal or situational flags that could lead to conflict or harm, provide positive mentorship, and help youth develop self‑regulation skills.
• Collaborate to improve the well‑being of the facility community.
• Supervise and/or assist youth during recreation and education activities and take on various as‑needed assignments.
• Establish and maintain positive, professional relationships with youths’ families and loved ones.
• Assist youth in achieving education, work‑readiness, and community‑transition goals.

Training Requirements

• Attend a 2‑week Juvenile Justice Basic Training orientation.
• Maintain proficiency in OCFS‑approved physical skills and youth restraint techniques (provided twice a year, eight hours total).
• Complete NYS employee‑mandated annual trainings and other annual refreshers.
• Potential intrastate travel for supervision at medical appointments, intramural games, extracurricular activities, or other events.
• The position is physically demanding and may require use of approved physical restraint techniques.

Other Information

• Positions are located at all nine OCFS facilities statewide, with vacancies throughout the state.
• Shift work required, including weekends, holidays, and overtime (both mandatory and voluntary).

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years full‑time direct‑care experience with youth ages 6‑21; or a Bachelor’s degree; or an Associate’s degree plus six months experience; or a high school diploma or equivalency plus one year experience; or a satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Direct‑care experience with youth involved in the juvenile justice system or in institutions, camps, schools, community centers, youth rehabilitation programs, mental‑health or correctional facilities, or residential centers.
• Part‑time experience may be accepted on a prorated basis.
• Successful completion of the probation period must include a valid New York State motor vehicle operator’s license and the ability to operate a vehicle legally.

Additional Comments

Please specify in your cover letter and/or resume how you meet the minimum qualifications, including specific date ranges for qualifying experience, education, certifications, or the age range of individuals served. Non‑specific submissions may be disqualified.

Background Investigation Requirements

• Criminal Background Check (CBC) including state and federal criminal history record checks.
• All convictions must be reported; felonies, misdemeanors, or falsified/omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal.
• Fingerprinting required; applicant may be responsible for associated fees.
• Screening against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR).
• For DJJOY appointees, a check against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.
• Individuals on the SEL for serious or repeated abuse/neglect will be barred from appointment.

Physical/Medical Requirements

• Physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure satisfactory performance of duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Standards include a fitness test, medical evaluation, and substance‑abuse screening.