Child Protective Services Specialist 1 (NY HELPS)

This job position will be physically located in Albany County, New York.

Receive reports of suspected child abuse and maltreatment via the Statewide Child Abuse and Maltreatment telephone hotline.

Screen calls for appropriateness, evaluate the information, and prepare and transmit reported cases to local social service districts.

Provide technical assistance to local district staff.

Screen applicants for childcare, daycare, and related positions in accordance with Social Service Law.

Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.

Minimum Qualifications

Transfer: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer.

Open to the Public: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).* To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are as below:

A bachelor’s degree or higher in a human services field;*

Or

• An associate’s degree in a human services field* AND two years of experience where your primary responsibility (at least 50% of your official duties) was in the direct provision of child protective services. This experience MUST include investigating reports of suspected child abuse and maltreatment or conducting a differential response (FAR-Family Assessment Response); conducting an assessment to determine that the children named in the report are safe; determining if there is credible evidence that the children have been abused or maltreated; and analyzing information to determine the case findings, if the family needs services, and if other actions are warranted, such as court intervention;

Or

• Four years of experience where your primary responsibility (at least 50% of your official duties) was in the direct provision of child protective services. This experience MUST include investigating reports of suspected child abuse and maltreatment or conducting a differential response (FAR-Family Assessment Response); conducting an assessment to determine that the children named in the report are safe; determining if there is credible evidence that the children have been abused or maltreated; and analyzing information to determine the case findings, if the family needs services, and if other actions are warranted, such as court intervention.

*A human services degree will be defined as: Audiology, community mental health, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, social work, speech/language pathology, therapeutic recreation, gerontology, human services, sociology, speech communication, counseling, education, and human development.

Examples of Non-Qualifying Experience include casework services not related to children and families; classroom teacher, tutor or Head Start worker, daycare provider or administrator of a daycare center, camp counselor or provider of recreational services, foster parent, transportation service worker, clerical duties, or provider of correctional services.

This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.

Additional Information

*For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non- competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Posted Hiring Salary Reflects PS&T Grade 16: $59,994- $76,359

Salary Schedule for the position is as follows:

Employees hired for this shift (2pm – 10pm) will qualify for a shift differential pay ($3,200).

Employees hired for this shift (4pm – 12am) will qualify for a shift differential pay ($3,200).

Employees hired for this shift (6pm – 2am) will qualify for a shift differential pay ($3,200).

Employees hired for this shift (12am – 8am) will qualify for a shift differential pay ($4,000).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
• All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
• For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff, and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.