Children and Family Services Specialist ; NY HELPS

Responsibilities

• Working with Local Dept. of Social Services and Voluntary Agencies using a data informed approach to improve the outcomes of children and families, based on federal and state standards.
• Review and evaluate local district County Plans and/or Annual Plan Updates as assigned. Provide County Plan monitoring and technical assistance to Districts as necessary.
• Participate in program reviews for local departments of social services and voluntary child‑care agencies such as Oversight and Monitoring Assessments (OMA’s), Safety and Permanency Assessments (SPA’s), Federal Child and Family Services case reviews (CFSR/OSRI) and Voluntary Agency Reviews (VARs). Provide technical assistance and monitoring to local departments of social services and voluntary agencies on numerous issues including child welfare program, CONNECTIONS, complaints, regulatory clarification.
• Provide technical assistance and monitoring to LDSS, VAs and other community agencies and organizations. Provide comment and recommendations on regulations and administrative letters in all program areas in which the Regional Office has licensing and oversight responsibilities.
• Provide licensing oversight to agencies and organizations. Prepare application packages for approval and certification of new programs. Provide technical assistance to voluntary agencies regarding program changes and rate setting impact.
• Participate in the management of activities related to the review of complaints involving foster boarding homes and congregate care, child protective services and IAB investigations as necessary.
• Participate in Office of Children and Family Services’ work groups and committees as assigned.
• Facilitate the implementation of Office of Children and Family Services’ priorities, policies and procedures by local districts and agencies such as CONNECTIONS, CFSR/PIP, Title IV‑E, Permanency Round Tables, DMR, FAR, Teaming and Court Improvement Projects.

Transfer:
One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer.

Open to the Public:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
* To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, candidates must meet the open‑competitive minimum qualifications for this position.

The qualifications for the full SG 18 level are:
Six years of experience providing services to children and their families either in the inspection, management, or administration of: foster care programs; day care programs; adoption programs; domestic violence programs; youth detention facilities; or other providers of care, support, and assistance to children, assuring compliance for certification or licensing purposes; or providing, supervising, monitoring, or administering services for children, adults, or their families, including but not limited to: providing social casework, case planning, case management, counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy on behalf of clients, or direct investigation of potential abuse and neglect in one or more of the following settings: human services;

juvenile justice; criminal justice; local departments of social services; or local voluntary childcare service programs.

An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.

This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non‑competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and…