Youth Counselor 1

Open to the Public:

A bachelor's degree and two years of direct counseling, educational, clinical, or supervisory experience in prevention, protection, or rehabilitative programs for individuals between the ages of 10 and 21 years of age who are generally considered to be juvenile delinquents, youthful offenders, or youth residing in a residential setting which may include, youth who are diagnosed with mental or developmental disabilities, mental illness, or addictions who could potentially become involved in the juvenile justice system.

OR

Current OCFS Employees:

Current employee of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, with a bachelor’s degree AND one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, non-competitive, or 55-b/55-c service as a Cadet Leader 2 or Youth Support Specialist.

Supervise, evaluate, guide and mentor juvenile and youthful offenders, juvenile delinquents or other “at-risk” youth referred to the Office of Children and Family Services.

Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.

Your actual duties may vary depending on the setting to which you are assigned, including secure, limited secure or non-secure residential centers, community residential homes, community foster care, intake services units, evening reporting centers, aftercare teams in the community and day placement programs.

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.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.