Vulnerable Persons Protection Specialist 1 / Trainee

Duties Description

This position is required to staff the 24-hour a day, seven days a week hotline. Various shifts are available to be discussed at interview. Employees will perform the following duties:

• Receive information pertaining to allegations of abuse and/or neglect and/or significant incidents involving vulnerable persons from mandated reporters and others and make decisions to ensure the health and safety of the individuals who are the focus of the alleged abuse/neglect.
• Interview callers to elicit essential information from the reporter, including the problem, allegation and complaint, names and addresses of the parties involved, and any other details and/or information relevant to the alleged incident.
• Determine the immediacy and type of response needed based on the information received and on an initial risk assessment; ensure that appropriate and immediate protections have been implemented, and confirm all appropriate notifications are completed in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Evaluate reported allegation to determine if information is sufficient to constitute a reportable incident; redirect caller(s) to other appropriate agencies or entities when necessary.
• Document all aspects of the information received, the action(s) taken, and the assessment conducted.
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Vulnerable Persons Protection Specialist Trainee, NS=Grade 13:

• Bachelor's degree; or
• Associate degree in a human services field and one year of experience in one of the following:
• the direct provision of services that includes the care, review, investigation, assessment, treatment, or case planning for persons in facilities or program covered by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act of 2012; or
• the development, implementation, or administration of a program that provides quality assurance, conducts incidents reviews, investigates, or provides treatment in facilities or program covered by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act of 2012; or
• where your primary responsibility (at least 50% of your official duties) was in the direct provision of adult or child protective services, which is defined as the investigation, assessment, treatment, and/or case planning of reported cases of adult or child abuse and maltreatment; or
• Three years of the above experience.
  
  
  

Vulnerable Persons Protection Specialist 1, Grade 16

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a human services field; or
• Bachelor's degree and completion of a one-year traineeship; or
• Associate degree in a human services field and two years of experience in one of the following:
• the direct provision of services that includes the care, review, investigation, assessment, treatment, or case planning for persons in facilities or program covered by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act of 2012; or
• the development, implementation, or administration of a program that provides quality assurance, conducts incidents reviews, investigates, or provides treatment in facilities or program covered by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act of 2012; or
• where your primary responsibility (at least 50% of your official duties) was in the direct provision of adult or child protective services, which is defined as the investigation, assessment, treatment, and/or case planning of reported cases of adult or child abuse and maltreatment; or
• Four years of the above experience.
  
  
  

Additional Comments

Established in 2013 by the Protection with Special Needs Act; The New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (Justice Center) is charged with protecting over one million New Yorkers under the care or jurisdiction across six State Oversight Agencies. https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 College Savings Program
  
  
  

Please note that specific benefits and programs may vary based on negotiating unit, current contract, and length of State service.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the Justice Center’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

NOTE ON FINGERPRINTING: Please be advised that should you accept a job offer with this agency, you may be required to be fingerprinted and pay for the cost of the fingerprinting fee.

The New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Our agency does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed/religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence, prior arrest or conviction record, citizenship/immigration status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. The Justice Center is committed to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion while continuing to build a diverse workforce. Our agency seeks candidates dedicated to working in and contributing to an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived experiences, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff.

The New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (Justice Center) provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Office of Human Resources via email at jc.sm.deeo@justicecenter.ny.gov