Peer Specialist (Youth Services)

Minimum QualificationsTwo years of experience participating in self -help activities, peer support or advocacy programs, or similar organizations. Applicant must have been in child welfare placement for two years or more above the age of 8 or had juvenile justice placement or received homeless youth services in New York State or are a parent who has had a child involved in the juvenile justice system. Duties DescriptionDJJOY Peer Specialists serve and assist parents of DJJOY youth and build a stream of support both through their relationship with them and by connecting parents to other parents. Isolation due to the stigma of having a justice-involved child is one of the biggest challenges for parents of placed youth. Peer Specialists will serve to relieve that burden. Their ability to understand, first hand, what a parent is facing is critical. Therefore the DJJOY Peer Specialists will be required to have experience of having a juvenile justice involved child. The circumstance of being the parent of a child who was or is in the system is a critical point of connection for the parents being supported. The incumbent will be responsible for performing the following duties: • Build a supportive relationship with parents. • Run and/or direct parents to support groups/workshops. • Support the parents OCFS placed youth in meetings and appointments. • Support the parents of OCFS placed youth who are in crisis. • Provide advocacy for parents of youth placed with OCFS. • Connect parents to larger empowerment movements to elevate their understanding of their role promoting families. • Meet with parents on a regular basis through 1:1 engagements in the community and at scheduled meetings. • Engage parents through the groups, trips, and other family engagement events. • Help organize and plan monthly family informational nights. • Participate in mandated and elective training opportunities as prescribed by OCFS. • Work closely with OCFS family engagement specialists and the statewide family engagement specialist. • Help promote and support the active involvement of families in events or activities that occur at OCFS facilities and in community programs. Additional CommentsTelecommuting is available for this position, however, it is at the sole discretion of the assigned supervisor and the Office of Community Partnerships when a candidate may be considered. Telecommuting applications will be reviewed and approved on a case by case basis in accordance with the OCFS Telecommuting Pilot Program Policy. Please specify in your cover letter and/or resume how you meet the minimum qualifications (as described above) when responding to this posting. For example, you should provide specific date ranges for qualifying experience, qualifying education or certifications, or the age range of individuals served. Non-specific submissions may be disqualified from further consideration if the information you provide does not meet the minimum qualifications. Background Investigation Requirements: 1) 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. 2) 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. 3) 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. 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.

Salary : $41,399 - $50,884