Program Counselor

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $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) is responsible for oversight and management of secure and non-secure detention services for juveniles (e.g., youths) and adolescent offenders awaiting disposition in family, criminal, and/or supreme courts. DYFJ also oversees a wide network of providers throughout the five boroughs that operate Non-Secure and Limited Secure Placement sites for youth who are adjudicated delinquent and are placed by the New York City Family Court, and a vast network of community-based alternative programs for youth involved in, or at risk for involvement in, the Juvenile Justice system.

Under administrative supervision, the Program Counselor is responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation, facilitation, assessment of programmatic services and youth development activities for youth in youth living spaces and designated recreational, programmatic and youth living spaces.

Specific duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Implement behavioral, recreational, and pro-social programing within a juvenile detention facility for youth pending court proceedings or as a sentence after a conviction for either felony or misdemeanor offenses to promote idleness reduction and positive behavior

• Facilitate activities, groups, workshops and youth and family-focused events addressing criminogenic needs, the acquisition of life skills, including vocational and non-vocational programming provided on the halls/units, development of internships, support for Regents exams and remediation, after-school activities, and discharge planning

• Work within the secure facilities with contracted vendors and the DOE to develop and support implementation of programmatic activities for all youth in secure detention, including daily living activities and schedules and logistical coordination

• Collaborate with other DYFJ facility staff to ensure the appropriate development, implementation, and maintenance of a youth behavior management system

• Accompany youth to facility programs and activities

• Engage families in relevant areas of programming to better support youth interests and gains

• Participate in detention, milieu-based meetings, conferences, team meetings and weekly program meetings to support the planning, development of special programs across youth living spaces and other designated programming spaces, as well as the coordination of care and behavior plans, and discharge recommendations for youth that will enable them to return to the community with reduced risk to reoffend

• Track and verify youth attendance and participation at all programs including summer youth employment, after school programs, and skills-based programs and internships

• Work with intra-divisional staff to develop and adopt innovative activities and programs that promote teamwork, leadership, problem solving, critical thinking, building self-confidence, reducing violence, and encouraging healthy lifestyles through sports and physical exercise

• Meet with detention resident council to elicit Youth input and participation in program design and development

• Ensure the required completion and maintenance of reports and other documentation requested by DYFJ administration including individual support plans, statistical reports, data entry, and programming logs that are contemporaneous, accessible and used as the basis for planning, management and evaluation

- Aide in the collection of programmatic data, including youth and staff pre- and post-surveys to gauge interest and quality of programs

• Attend meetings with and on behalf of the Program Supervisor, and conduct appropriate follow-up from meetings with relevant staff, and contracted vendors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job opening has been reposted. Previous applicants do not need to reapply

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 #631193.

No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.

Note: Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.