Youth Support Specialist (Permanent)

Responsibilities

• Supervise court‑placed youth, ages 12‑20, residing in OCFS secure, limited‑secure, and non‑secure residential facilities.
• Ensure the facility is physically secure (youth movement, key and door control, conflict resolution) and emotionally safe for youth and staff.
• Establish professional, confident, safe, and trusting relationships with youth and staff from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, physical‑ability, SOGIE, and socio‑economic backgrounds.
• Supervise and monitor youth, including one‑to‑one supervision when clinical needs require it.
• Actively participate as a member of a youth’s support team—a treatment‑focused group of professional and para‑professional staff.
• Engage confidently with individuals who may be under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Employ graduated harm‑reduction strategies, correcting and, when necessary, verbally or physically intervening when a youth displays unsafe behaviors toward themselves, other youth, or staff.
• Recognize personal or situational flags that could lead to conflict or harm, provide positive mentorship, and help youth develop interpersonal and 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, and appropriate relationships with youths’ families and loved ones.
• Assist youth in achieving education, work‑readiness, and community‑transition goals.

Training Requirements

• Attend a two‑week Juvenile Justice Basic Training orientation.
• Become proficient in OCFS‑approved physical skills and youth restraint techniques (provided twice a year for a total of eight hours).
• Complete NYS‑mandated annual trainings and other annual refresher courses.
• Potential intrastate travel for supervision at youth medical appointments, intramural games, extracurricular activities, or other events.
• The position is physically demanding; candidates must be prepared to use approved physical restraint techniques when necessary.

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 an institution, camp, school, community center, youth‑rehabilitation program, mental‑health or correctional institution, or residential center.
• Part‑time experience may be accepted on a prorated basis.
• Successful completion of the probation period must include possession of a valid motor‑vehicle operator’s license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle legally in New York State.

Background Investigation Requirements

• Criminal Background Check (CBC) including state and federal criminal‑history record checks.
• All convictions must be reported; a felony or misdemeanor conviction, or any falsified or omitted information, may bar appointment or result in removal.
• Fingerprinting required; applicants may be required to pay any necessary fees.
• Screening against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR); fees may apply.
• For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) appointees, a check against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center.
• Individuals listed on the SEL for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment.

Physical/Medical Requirements

The applicant’s physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure the ability to perform the duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Evaluation includes a fitness test, a medical‑standards assessment, and a substance‑abuse screening.

Other Information

The Youth Support Specialist position is available at all nine OCFS facilities throughout the state. Vacancies exist statewide. The role requires shift work, including weekends, holidays, and overtime assignments (both mandatory and voluntary).

Additional Comments

Applicants must specify in their cover letter and/or resume how they meet the minimum qualifications, providing specific date ranges for qualifying experience, education, certifications, and the age range of individuals served. Non‑specific submissions may be disqualified.