THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY OF $60,889.00 - $70,022.00.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services, and provides subsidized child care vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement and programs for youth in the community.

The Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) provides a wide range of services and programs for youth at every stage of the juvenile justice process. Our goals are to (a) build stronger and safer communities and advance public safety by preventing juveniles from entering the New York City's juvenile justice system, (b) provide therapeutic treatment and services to youth in our custodial care, and (c) help juveniles access the tools they need to leave the justice system for good. We strive to help families and young people by providing supportive services that are responsive to the needs of individual youth and families.

The Policy, Legal and Compliance Unit was created in October 2020 to codify these important functions into a single program unit and increase the level of integration between these closely connected areas of practice within DYFJ. Our legal team serves as a liaison to the city courts, law enforcement, legal advocates and our own Office of General Counsel and provides legal-guidance, division-wide on issues that arise from the custody of juvenile justice-involved youth in our care. Our Compliance team was created in response to the increased oversight of our detention facilities and serves as point for all oversight, reporting and compliance activities, including Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance. Our Policy team develops and updates the 100+ policies that guide DYFJ's practice including those critical for the operation of our detention and placement facilities.

The Policy Unit is responsible for drafting and revising the Division’s 150+ policies and operations orders that guide the safe and secure operations of DYFJ’s specialized-secure, secure, non-secure detention facilities and the limited-secure and non-secure placement facilities. The policies and operations orders are required by the Division’s state, federal and city oversight authorities including but not limited to the federal PREA Act, NYS OCFS, NYS SCOC and NYC DOI. The Policy Unit works with Division leadership to set priorities and establishes workgroups of content-area experts to draft and/or revise policies and ops orders. The Policy Unit reviews all applicable legislation, best practices, etc. The Unit collaborates with the Office of General Counsel, responsible for reviewing all agency policies and operations orders, as well as the Policy, Planning & Measurement Division and Commissioner’s office to ensure that policies and ops orders reflect the Agency’s mission and are put into effect in a timely manner. Policy, Legal Oversight, and Compliance Unit is responsible for ensuring that DYFJ complies with all local, state, and federal regulations and industry best practices. The Youth Rights Unit provides a continuum of positive, progressive and proactive services designed to protect and promote the rights of young people navigating detention. The Youth Rights Unit infuses best practice and youth voice throughout the services it offers. Offerings include: Leadership Council where young people elect a leader to represent their hall in a facility-wide Council comprised of youth. Grievance Program where a formal complaint process exists to resolve issues and afford our young people due process for their concerns.

This position plays a vital role in advocating for justice-involved youth and ensuring their rights are upheld while in secure detention. The Youth Rights Specialist will conduct regular rounds, address grievances, and collaborate with various units to integrate youth perspectives into policies, practices, and procedures. Additionally, the perspective candidate will serve as a liaison between secure detention and justice system-involved youth.

The specific duties of the Youth Rights Specialist will include but not limited to:

Advocacy and Youth Support:

- Serve as a dedicated advocate for detained youth, ensuring their rights and concerns are heard and addressed

- Increase visibility and accessibility of the Youth Rights Unit by conducting frequent hall rounds and one-on-one engagements

- Provide crisis intervention and immediate response to youth concerns and complaints

- Support the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) by facilitating meetings, fostering youth engagement, and empowering youth voices in decision-making

- Collaborate with facility staff, case managers, and program coordinators to promote a youth-centered approach to care and services

- Provide court companionship for secure detention youth throughout New York City’s Family, Criminal, and Supreme courts

Grievance Response and Investigations:

- Assist youth, families, and external parties in navigating the grievance process, ensuring timely resolution of concern

- Conduct preliminary investigations into youth grievances, gathering statements, reviewing documentation, and liaising with relevant staff

- Maintain accurate and confidential records of grievances, resolutions, and outcomes

- Advocate for systemic improvements based on trends in grievances and youth feedback

Data Collection and Reporting:

- Gather and analyze data related to grievances, advocacy interventions, and facility incidents

- Develop comprehensive monthly reports to highlight key findings, recommendations, and progress in advocacy efforts

- Present data-driven recommendations to leadership for policy and procedural enhancements

- Responsible for formulating and distributing YLC reports to facility administration and senior leadership

Collaboration and Policy Development:

- Work closely with facility leadership, social services teams, and community partners to improve youth experiences and outcomes

- Participate in agency meetings, panels, and conferences to support the planning and development of special initiatives to ensure youth advocacy remains a priority in decision-making

- Contribute to the development and refinement of policies and practices that impact detained youth

- Recommend proactive interventions, corrective actions, and strategies to support youth rights to enhance youth engagement and well-being

Event and Program Support:

- Support unit and facility events such as workshops, town halls, and educational programs that empower youth

- Assist in coordinating special initiatives that encourage positive youth development and rehabilitation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

TO APPLY

Please go to www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID #708192.

No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.

Note: Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

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/.

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.

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.

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Youth Rights Specialist