Social Worker

Job Title: Social Worker Employment Type: Contract Work Hours: 40 hrs./week Work site: 100% Onsite Location:Taberg-Florence Rd, Taberg, NY 13471 Job Duration: 7 Months Closing: 11/14/2025. Position Overview: The Social Worker will work directly with court-placed youth (ages 12–20) residing in New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) secure, limited-secure, and/or non-secure residential facilities. This position plays an essential role in ensuring both the physical security and emotional safety of youth and staff while fostering a professional, therapeutic, and supportive environment. Social Workers (Youth Support Specialists) are part of a multidisciplinary team responsible for maintaining a healthy, structured facility, supporting youth development, and assisting in their rehabilitation and transition toward positive community reintegration. Job Duties: Establish a relationship of professionalism, confidence, safety, and trust with youth and other staff from different racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, physical ability, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) and/or socio-economic backgrounds. Supervise and monitor youth, which, depending on a youth's clinical needs, may include 1-to-1 supervision. Actively participate as a member of a youth's support team. A support team is a treatment-focused group of professional and para-professional staff who work together to address the emotional and behavioral needs and goal of youth. Be confident in engaging with people who may be under physical and/or emotional stress. Employ graduated harm reduction strategies while supervising youth. This includes correcting, and in some cases, verbally or physically intervening when a youth displays unsafe behaviors toward themselves or other youth and staff. Harm reduction requires that a YSS learn to recognize personal or situational flags that could lead to conflict or harm, provide positive mentorship to youth, and help youth work on their own interpersonal skills and use of self-regulation strategies. Take opportunities to improve the well-being of the facility community by being collaborative and informed. Supervise and/or assist youth during recreation and education activities, as well as take on 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. Minimum Education and Work Experience: Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications: Two years full-time direct care experience* in the care and programming of youth from ages 6-21; OR a Bachelor's degree; OR an Associate's degree AND six months experience; OR a high school graduation or equivalency diploma AND one year of experience* OR a satisfactory equivalent combination of the above education and experience requirements.*Direct care experience with youth involved in the juvenile justice system or in an institution, camp, school, community center, youth rehabilitation program, mental health or correctional institution, or residential center. Appropriate verifiable part-time experience will be accepted on a prorated basis. Soft Skills and Competencies: Strong active listening and communication skills. Ability to manage stressful or emotionally charged situations calmly. Empathy, patience, and professionalism when working with youth and families. Commitment to teamwork, integrity, and consistent follow-through. Ability to foster a therapeutic and structured environment. Training Requirements: Completion of a two-week Juvenile Justice Basic Training orientation. Proficiency in OCFS-approved physical skills and youth restraint techniques (training provided twice per year for 8 hours total). Compliance with all NYS-mandated annual trainings and refresher courses. Miscellaneous Information: Shifts: Day, Evening, and Night shifts available (specific schedules will be discussed during interviews). Work environment: 24/7 facility — coverage is required during weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. Parking: Free parking available onsite. Public Transportation: None in close proximity—personal vehicle required. Typical supervision ratios: 1:8 during waking hours; 1:16 during sleeping hours. Interview Process: Onsite interviews preferred. The Nexus Staff Difference: Our outstanding healthcare coverage, including dental and vision, begins in just 30 days after you join us. We offer weekly payments via ACH (Automated Clearing House). Serving as Prime Vendors to New York State and New York City for over 10 years.