Youth Support Specialist

Youth Support Specialist (Permanent) - 215323

The Youth Support Specialist (YSS) works directly to supervise court-placed youth, age 12-20, who reside at OCFS secure, limited‑secure, and/or non‑secure residential facilities. YSSs are part of a team that ensures that a facility is physically secure—responsible for youth movement, key and door control, and conflict resolution—and emotionally safe for both youth and other staff. YSSs help create a professional, healthy, and therapeutic environment.

• Establish a relationship of professionalism, confidence, safety, and trust with youth and other staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Supervise and monitor youth, including 1‑to‑1 supervision when required by clinical needs.
• Actively participate as a member of a youth’s support team, a treatment‑focused group of professional and para‑professional staff.
• Engage confidently with people under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Employ graduated harm‑reduction strategies while supervising youth, including appropriate intervention and mentorship.
• Take opportunities to improve the well‑being of the facility community through collaboration and information sharing.
• Supervise and/or assist youth during recreation and education activities, and perform various as‑needed assignments.
• Establish and maintain positive, professional, and appropriate relationships with youths’ families and loved ones.
• Assist youth in achieving education, work readiness, and community transition goals.

Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.

• Attend a 2‑week Juvenile Justice Basic Training orientation and maintain proficiency in OCFS‑approved physical skills and youth restraint techniques (given twice a year for eight hours total).
• Complete NYS employee‑mandated annual trainings and other annual training refreshers.
• Travel intrastate as required for supervision at youth medical appointments, intramural games, extracurricular activities, or other events.
• Be prepared for the physically demanding nature of the position, including the use of approved physical restraint techniques when necessary.
• Work shift, weekend, holidays, and overtime assignments, including mandatory and voluntary overtime.

• Two years full‑time direct care experience with youth ages 6‑21.
• OR a high school graduation or equivalency diploma AND one year of experience with youth ages 6‑21.
• OR an Associate’s degree AND six months experience with youth ages 6‑21.
• OR a Bachelor’s degree.
• Direct care experience with youth involved in the juvenile justice system or related settings.
• Appropriate verifiable part‑time experience accepted on a prorated basis.
• Satisfactory completion of the probation period, possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license, and ability to operate a motor vehicle legally in New York State.