Associate Commissioner

Duties Description

The Division of Youth Development and Partnerships for Success oversees a portfolio of local assistance funding to support positive youth development, homeless youth programs, youth justice prevention and diversion, local detention, independent living services to youth 14+ in foster care and education and training vouchers.

Duties

This position will primarily oversee the detention portfolio as well as be a key part of the division and agency leadership., The detention portfolio has continued to grow as a result of increased facility census’ (which also has resulted in increases to critical incidents, contraband, and abuse/neglect complaints), capital projects, billing/claiming complexities, and the necessity to build strong relationships with local practitioners. This Associate Commissioner position provides additional policy and monitoring expertise. Several areas of the YDAPS portfolio will require direct management at the executive level to ensure timely and successful completion. Specific duties include:

• In collaboration with the Deputy Commissioner, lead the planning, organizing and implementation of the work of the division
• Management and oversight of the Bureau of Youth Justice Services. Responsibilities also include collaborating with other YDAPS Bureau Directors on cross-cutting objectives and initiatives.
• Set and implement strategic vision for detention programs across NYS for the 21st century in collaboration with OCFS and the larger field.
• Manage and oversee, under direction of the Deputy Commissioner, youth justice reform initiatives and partnerships.
• Provide support and technical assistance to local jurisdictions to avoid unnecessary use of detention and placement
• Create and maintain strategic partnerships within OCFS, other state agencies, external agencies, the courts, local stakeholders and Federal partners.
• Participate in developing and implementing new policies, procedures and statutes that affect the agency and the Division stakeholders.
• Assist with creating and implementing the division’s plan to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the division and in making YDAPS a trauma-informed organization.
• Assist in improving positive youth development outcomes for vulnerable youth and young adults in NYS. This requires extensive work with local departments of social services, voluntary agencies and provider groups to support the successful implementation of practice initiatives.
• Assist with facilitating special projects and assignments at the direction of the Deputy Commissioner; advises the Deputy regarding program/management needs as well as priorities and strategies for achieving the Division’s goals
• Researches the best and innovative practices in a wide range of fields, and provides concise written summaries and
• Provides strategic problem-solving approaches to complex social and institutional challenges.
• Establish/monitor quality assurance processes are being followed to ensure accurate detention billing/claiming.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare, Public Policy, Criminal Justice, Public Health or a closely related field and 7 years of experience with adolescent or emerging adulthood youth, health and human services and workforce development and 3 years of experience in executive or professional management overseeing large scale diverse work portfolio with strong networking and partnership building skills. Persons who have a lived experience of foster care, homelessness, youth justice involvement are encouraged to apply.

Additional Comments

Travel: 35%

Background Investigation Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged 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.