Child Protective Specialist

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FILE FOR, TAKE AND PASS THE NEXT EXAMINATION FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SPECIALIST WHEN IT IS MADE AVAILABLE.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York City’s children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care services. In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through preventive services and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home. Each year, the agency’s Division of Child Protection responds to more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families. ACS is also a key part of NYCs early childhood and education continuum, providing childcare assistance to thousands of child welfare involved and low-income children so they can access safe, affordable, quality care.

The Division of Child Protection is seeking qualified candidates to serve as Child Protective Specialists within each borough office. In each Borough office (Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens), DCP Protective/ Diagnostic Units are comprised of five CPS and one CPSS II (and sometimes one CPSS I). These staff investigate reports of alleged child abuse and neglect. The PD child protective team is the largest within DCP, and the largest in each of the Borough offices. Child protective staff are responsible for investigating every allegation that is reported, and also for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the immediate safety and risk of future harm to each child in the family. Based upon the case circumstances, child protective staff may act immediately to protect the child(ren).

Under supervision of the Unit Supervisor and Child Protective Manager, with moderate latitude for the exercise of independent action and decision making, the Child Protective Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Utilize social work and investigative skills to work with families being investigated for abuse or neglect to children.
• Initiate investigations/safety interventions in response to allegations of abuse and / or neglect.
• Meet families in their home within 48 hours of receiving a report or within 24 hours when immediate danger is suspected.
• Interview and assess all children for safety.
• Interview parents/caretaker, alleged subjects, household members and collateral contacts.
• Make a Safety Assessment of children in their family immediately when required or within 7 days.
• Participate in Family Meetings or Conferences with the family or other support systems.
• Provide a determination of abuse or neglect based on the investigation within 60 days of the report.
• For indicated cases with ongoing service needs, assess on an ongoing basis the risk of future abuse or maltreatment of the children, arrange for services and work with the family to address

the reasons for risk to the child.

• Work with ACS legal staff to file petitions with Family Court when required for supervisory oversight of the family or for removal of children.
• Work collaboratively with contract agencies to provide Preventive or Foster Care when appropriate.
• Enter and maintain computerized records of case information.

Additional Information

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 APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY USING ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW:

For current city employees, go to Employee Self Service (ESS), Recruiting Activities, Careers and search for Job ID# 628022.
For all other applicants go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID# 628022. Click on the "" button.

If you do not have access to a computer, most public libraries have computers available for use. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.