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Administration for Children's Services

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Becoming a Child Protective Specialist
Becoming a Special Officer
Becoming a Youth Development Specialist
Becoming an Attorney for FCLS
Be An AmeriCorps VISTA

Becoming a Child Protective Specialist

Becoming a Special Officer

Becoming a Youth Development Specialist

Becoming an Attorney for FCLS

Be An AmeriCorps VISTA


Become a Youth Development Specialist to Start Your Career and Make a Difference

Your valuable life experiences could positively influence the direction of a young person.

This is your chance to be a role model and a champion for youth while making a difference and giving back to your community.

What we are looking for:

The New York City Administration for Children's Services is hiring compassionate, enthusiastic individuals to work with young people in our detention facilities. Working as a Youth Development Specialist, you would:

Provide safe and secure supervision and care to youth who are in secure juvenile detention

Serve as a role model, mentor and guide

Work as part of a team to support positive and healthy youth development

Manage conflict and youth behavior safely including using de-escalation and restraint techniques as necessary

Provide structure and engage youth in pro-social activities and behaviors

Support youth in their efforts to develop new social, academic and vocational skills and interests

Receive valuable training on building healthy relationships with youth and crisis prevention and management

Working as a Youth Development Specialist offers:

Starting salary is $53,341 and after 5 years salary goes up to approximately $67,566*

Participation in NYC's pension system

Comprehensive health insurance offering both individual and family coverage

Longevity Bonuses for your years of service

Overtime pay at time and a half for working over 40 hours a week

Higher educational opportunities

*includes a uniform allowance and longevity pay

Benefits

Health Insurance

Choice of 11 health plans to choose from, some with no co-pays or deductibles.

Vacation, Sick & Holiday Leave

Annual leave may be used after 4 months of city service. Non-managerial titles accrue 8:45 hours monthly and managerial titles accrue 10:30 hours monthly. Up to 12 holidays per year. Sick leave accrues at 5.50 hours monthly.

Union Benefits

Youth Development Specialists are part of DC 37, New York City's largest public employee union, with about 150,000 members and 50,000 retirees. The union is also part of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), with more than 1.6 million members nationwide.

Transit Benefits

Use your pre-tax earnings to cover public transportation costs through the Commuter Benefits Program.

Flex Spending Accounts

Use your pre-tax earnings to cover to help pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical or dependent care expenses, for services such as acupuncture, chiropractor, dental treatments, eye exams and surgery, fertility treatments, lab fees, nursing home and services, organ transplants, psychiatrist and psychologist, weight loss programs, x-rays and more. Also included are products such as reading glasses, braces, contact lens supplies, crutches, first aid supplies, hearing aid expenses, insulin and diabetic supplies, walkers, wheelchairs, and more.

Student Loan Forgiveness

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program forgives the remaining balance on a borrower's direct loans after they have made 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer in a public service job.

Pension System

All ACS employees may join the NYC Employees' Retirement System (NYCERS), which provides guaranteed income for life upon retirement and the opportunity to provide a continued retirement benefit to a beneficiary upon your death after retirement. Because your payroll contributions are tax-deferred, it may lower your current federal taxable income. Other types of benefits such as loans, disability and death benefits are also offered.

401K, 457 Plan, ROTH IRA

The NYC Deferred Compensation Plan can be used as a bridge to cover necessary expenses in that period before you decide to collect SS. Even if retiring at a normal retirement age and are eligible to collect social security, pre-tax money is tax deferred - lowering your taxable income.

Youth Development Specialist Benefits

Benefit
Academy
After 1 Year
After 2 Years
After 3 Years
After 4 Years
After 5 Years
After 6 Years
After 7 Years

Base Salary
$53,341
$57,489
$61,638
$65,196
$66,379
$67,566
$68,751
$69,937

Uniform Allowance
$106

Longevity Differential
N/A
$848
$1,695
$2,542

Paid Sick Days
10
12

Paid Vacation Days
15
16
17
18
19

Paid Holidays
12

Choice of Medical
Yes

Prescription, Dental &
Eyeglass Coverage
Yes

Deferred Compensation:
401K, IRA
Yes

Requirements:

A four-year high school diploma (or its educational equivalent), fluency in English, and one year of full-time experience working directly with at-risk youth or young adults (ages 10-24) in a juvenile detention, education, vocational rehabilitation or education, antiviolence work, mental health, counseling, mentoring, youth/young adult leadership development, recreation, sports or athletics, health promotion, community organizing, and/or closely related activities. Some years of work experience may be waived if you have an associate’s degree in social work, counseling, education, recreation, criminal justice, psychology, biology, sociology, human services, or a bachelor’s degree. New York City residency is NOT required.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Youth Development Specialist

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Click a question, or press the enter key on a question, to reveal its answer.

What are the qualifications to become a Youth Development Specialist?

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and one of the following:

one year of full-time satisfactory experience working directly with juveniles or young adults (ages 10-24) in juvenile detention, education, vocational rehabilitation or education, antiviolence work, mental health, counseling, mentoring, youth/young adult leadership development, recreation, sports or athletics, health promotion, community organizing, and/or closely related activities; or

one year of full-time satisfactory experience working in security or public safety in one of the following settings:

an educational setting, for example as a school safety agent, or;

in juvenile or young adult detention, or;

in a community services setting which primarily serves juveniles and young adults (ages 10-24); or

one year of full-time satisfactory experience working in a health or human services field such as mental health, counselling, nursing, life or career coaching, casework, social work, probation, congregate care, physical fitness, or sports training; or

one year of honorable full-time United States military service commanding service members; or

An associate degree from an accredited college or completion of 60 semester credits of study at an accredited college, including or supplemented by six months of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "1 a, b, or c" above; or

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or

A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to the above; academic coursework in social work, counseling, education, recreation, criminal justice, psychology, biology, sociology, human services, or a closely related field may be substituted for experience as described in "1. a, b, or c" above at the rate of 12 semester credits from an accredited college for 6 months of experience; however, all candidates must possess a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Notes:

Experience described in 1 "a" and "c" above can include internships, volunteer work, athletic programs, or closely related experience.

Verifiable experience working as a correction officer in a facility specifically assigned to juveniles or young adults (ages 10 to 24) may be qualifying under "1b" above, however experience as a correction officer working with an adult population (over age 24) is not qualifying.

What counts as youth experience?

Only professional satisfactory experience working directly with juveniles or young adults (ages 10-24) in one of the following: Educational setting; Juvenile or young adult detention, or; Community services setting performing juvenile detention, education, vocational rehabilitation or education, antiviolence work, mental health, counseling, mentoring, youth/young adult leadership development, recreation, sports or athletics, health promotion, community organizing, and/or closely related activities are acceptable. Which can include internships, volunteer work, athletic programs, or closely related experience.

Are there any work sites outside New York City?

As an agency of the City of New York, our work sites are only in NYC in Brooklyn (Brownsville) and the Bronx (Mott Haven).

I've applied, how long will it take to hear back?

If you are among our qualified candidates, we will schedule a phone interview within 60 days as the first step. Because we receive tremendous interest in this role, we are only able to contact candidates who are under consideration.

License Requirement

A motor vehicle driver license is not required but is a plus.

What is the hiring process?

Applications to become a Youth Development Specialist are being accepted on a continuous basis. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be scheduled for an in person interview.

Is there an exam for this position?

All Youth Development Specialists are required to take and pass the civil service exam; please visit NYC.gov/DCAS for details on upcoming YDS civil service exams.

What if I have a criminal record?

Having a criminal history does not exclude you from being considered for employment as a Youth Development Specialist or Associate Youth Development Specialist unless your convictions are directly related to the job or pose an unreasonable risk or are among those specified in legislation as disqualifying for this employment such as: (1)The Protection of People With Special Needs Act which presumptively disqualifies based on the following convictions:

A felony conviction at any time for a sex offense;

A felony conviction within the past ten years involving violence;

A conviction pursuant to Penal Law (PL) section(s):

260.00- Abandonment of a child;

260.25- Endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person

260.32- Endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person or an incompetent or physically disabled person in the second degree;

260.34- Endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person or an incompetent or physically disabled person in the first degree.

Any similar offense in any other jurisdiction outside of New York State; and

(2) The Prison Rape Elimination Act, (PREA), which presumptively disqualifies based on the following convictions:

Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility or other institution

Engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse.

What kind of training will I receive?

Youth Development Specialists receive a robust combination of classroom and hands-on training at the start of your employment to bolster your knowledge of the juvenile justice system and give you the tools you need to successfully work with high needs adolescents. The James Satterwhite Training Academy provides pre-service training on important topics, such as: understanding youth development and relationships; safety, security, and supervision; behavior modification and management; and facilitating groups. Ongoing, in-service training is also provided throughout the year to support professional development and additional training opportunities are available through the ACS Workforce Institute.

Where will I work?

You will be assigned to work at either Crossroads Juvenile Detention Center in Brownsville Brooklyn, or Horizon Juvenile Detention Center in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. Work location assignments are based on years of service (seniority) and agency needs.

What hours does a Youth Development Specialist work?

Both Crossroads and Horizon operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will be assigned to one of the following tours: the AM Tour from 7:00am to 3:15pm, the PM tour from 3:00pm to 11:15pm or the Night Tour from 11:00pm to 7:15am. Shift assignments are based on seniority and the needs of the agency.

Do I have to work weekends and holidays?

Yes, most Youth Development Specialists work weekends and holidays. As a result, Youth Development Specialists get every third Sunday off in addition to their regularly scheduled off days (Monday/Tuesday or Wednesday/Thursday or Friday/Saturday). Days off are based on seniority and agency needs.

Is there overtime?

On occasion, there may be mandatory overtime. If someone calls out from the shift after yours, you may be required to work a second shift.

What is a typical day like?

This is not a sit-behind-a-desk-job. It requires regular interaction with youth. For instance, a typical day might involve you working inside a classroom, counseling a youth in the living unit, leading an activity in the gymnasium, or escorting a youth for their medication. Depending on your shift, your day would follow the typical schedule of the youth in detention: the youth wake up, shower, and are escorted to the cafeteria for breakfast, escorted to class, break for lunch, return to class, attend after-school activities, complete homework, have dinner, attend evening recreation, shower, and go to bed. Youth Development Specialists supervise a group of youth in all of the aforementioned activities.

Is juvenile detention the same as a jail?

Our secure juvenile detention facilities house adolescents whose cases are pending in the Family or Criminal Courts. Their stay is not for punishment - judges decide whether youth should be detained while their court case is being resolved. Secure detention is typically reserved for youth who pose the highest risk and who have been accused of committing serious offenses. Youth are paired with others their age and are given access to education, prosocial programming, recreational activities and health care while in detention.

Is this job dangerous?

This is not a job for folks who can be easily intimidated but it is seldom dangerous. YDS staff work with youth who have experienced significant trauma and sometimes display emotional outbursts that can be upsetting, even violent. YDS are trained to handle and protect themselves and others. Occasionally, YDS may experience a minor injury, but they are never in life-threatening danger such as a fire fighter or police officer.

What about emergencies?

Youth Development Specialists never work alone. All staff working in juvenile detention are trained in Safe Crisis Management (SCM) intervention. When additional assistance is needed, Youth Development Specialists may seek assistance from Special Officer Staff, who are in charge of the facility's security, as well as an array of supervisors.

Will there be any promotional opportunities once I become a Youth Development Specialist?

Promotional opportunities to supervisory positions and the opportunity to work in other parts of the juvenile justice continuum beyond Detention are a possibility.

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