Youth Local Assistance Program Specialist 1

Duties Description

Within the Division of Youth Development and Partnerships for Success, the Bureau of Education and Transitional Support Services (BETSS) addresses the needs and challenges of youth in foster care by strengthening educational stability for youth in secondary education programs, improving access to higher education funding sources for post-secondary learning and/or vocational and providing skills-based training, supportive housing options and leadership development opportunities to help youth make a successful transition to adulthood. BETSS provides congregate care and social services staff with the training, knowledge, support, and job aids necessary to effectively assist the youth in their care.

The Youth Local Assistance Program Specialist 1 Will

Provide supervision, task management and ongoing training of staff in the Bureau. Maintain working knowledge of Independent Living policies, programs, initiatives and all related activities.

Manage projects related to improving outcomes for older youth in foster care and youth who have aged out of foster care. Assist in the implementation of new policy and practice for independent living and normative experiences for youth ages 14-21 in foster care, and youth ages 18-25 who were formerly in care, regarding housing, post-secondary education and vocational training.

Provide outreach, monitoring and technical assistance to local districts and voluntary agencies on federal and state requirements for transition services and supports, independent living programming and training, and access to higher education for youth currently and formerly in foster care or involved in juvenile justice, runaway homeless youth, trafficking programs.

Participate in community outreach functions, and represent OCFS in statewide events, activities, interagency workgroups and public forums while ensuring youth voice is included. Identify practices, resources, and services that are culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate for clients and families.

Manage federal and state funded programs, contract development and assist with requests for proposals to address and meet the needs of transition age youth and young adults and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in research, planning, program analysis or evaluation relating to human services or criminal or juvenile justice. Master’s degree is equivalent to one year experience.

Additional Comments

Travel required: 30%

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.