Family Assessment Specialist
: Job Details :

Job Description

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $82,192.00 $94,521.00.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN AND PASSED THE OPEN COMPETITIVE FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE LISTED ABOVE TO AVOID BEING BUMPED OUT OF YOUR POSITION WHEN THE ELIGIBLE LIST FOR THIS TITLE IS ESTABLISHED. PERMANENT CHILD AND FAMILY SPECIALISTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

The Administration for Childrens 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 childcare 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.

Within DYFJ, Community-Based Alternatives provides preventive services to youth at risk of getting involved in the system through the Family Assessment Program (FAP). The overarching goal of the FAP is to engage families in appropriate services to preserve the family unit, divert them from Family Court, and prevent the filing of Person in Need of Supervision (PINS) petitions, and foster care placements. The FAP refers youth and families for on-going services through various programs, community-based services, home-based crisis intervention, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions. The team also oversees alternative programs that prevent youth from being detained or placed in a residential setting.

DYFJ is seeking a Family Assessment Specialist who will be responsible for FAP screenings and assessments of families requesting PINS petitions, and related services in Family Court.

The duties and responsibilities of the Family Assessment Specialist will include, but will not be limited to:

- Conduct service-oriented assessments with families to provide immediate evaluation of the circumstances and determine appropriate services to assist the families in developing courses of action.

- Facilitate initial interviews with families to bring clinical experience and knowledge to the process with the goals of promoting a reduction in the number of court level cases and assist families in making the best decision(s) regarding appropriate services.

- Host family conferences, both in office and other locations, which may include other support and service providers required to develop the most appropriate service plans.

- Confer with and make referrals to service providers, as needed.

- Develop written reports for judges and attorneys and give presentations in court on the appropriateness of the service plans.

- Assist families in developing realistic expectations for the PINS diversion process by offering in-depth information regarding the continuum of service interventions, Family Court, and placement.

- Collaborate and strengthen partnerships with a variety of community representatives and stakeholders to promote knowledge of FAP and encourage referrals to FAP.

- Ensure all safety and risk concerns are fully identified and addressed.

- Report any signs of neglect, and/or abuse to the Borough Director, and the State Central Register.

- Consistently apply and uphold state and city laws, regulations, and policies related to the delivery of child welfare services.

- Report to the Borough Director regarding the progress of each child/family on assigned caseloads, and make recommendations to the Borough Director on planning.

- Perform administrative functions, including timely documentation and data entry.

- Complete a written assessment of the families strengths, needs, and service referrals.

- Work with youth, family, service providers and other stakeholders to continually ensure services meet the needs of the youth and families.

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#680654.

- NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES OR PERSONAL INQUIRIES PERMITTED.

- NOTE: ONLY CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED.

Qualifications

A Masters Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work and

1. A valid New York State Registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and at least one year of full-time, satisfactory, post-graduate experience that includes substantial experience in one or more of the following modalities of practice: facilitation of family team conferences or family group decision-making meetings utilizing a conferencing model which emphasizes family engagement and consensus based decision-making; clinical group work with children, youth, parents or individual families; or the conduct of professional training on topics related to child and family services; or

2. A valid New York State Registration as a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) and at least three years of the experience required in 1 above. Up to two years of this experience may have been in the supervision of social work practice areas described in 1 above; or

3. At least three years of the experience required in 1 above. A valid New York State Registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master of Social Work license (LMSW) must be obtained within one year of appointment.

Note: Employees who fail to obtain their LCSW or LMSW within one year after appointment may have their probationary periods extended for no more than six months. Failure to obtain the LCSW or LMSW by the end of the probationary period will result in dismissal.

Note: At least one year of the required experience described in 1 , 2 and 3 above must have been obtained in the last five years.

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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.