Child Care Worker

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for overseeing the activities of dysfunctional behavioral students in a school setting or emotionally adolescents assigned to an intensive care foster home (cluster home) facility and/or receiving preventive services from the Department of Social Services and taking part in the planning and implementation of recreation, social and everyday living activities. The work is performed under the direct supervision of a Child Care Social Worker or other Professional staff member, in accordance with established policies and procedures. Employees in this title may be required to work hours other than the normal 8:30 to 5:00 office hours. Does related work, as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Supervises the activities of adolescents placed in an "Intensive Care" foster home setting;
• Transports assigned children to clinic appointments, social and recreational activities;
• Provides supportive social and recreational activities to children receiving preventive services or other foster care services;
• Provides relief for foster home parents on assigned evenings, weekends, vacation periods and in cases of emergency;
• Assists foster parents with their duties;
• Maintains accurate and timely records and makes periodic and special reports as required;
• Supervises behavioral students in a school setting;
• Provides feedback to school personnel about the progress and behavior of the child.

The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND/OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Working knowledge of the interests, attitudes and behavior patterns of children and adolescents; working knowledge of management methods for small group care of adolescents; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with adolescents in intensive care foster home setting; ability to plan and supervise activities to help troubled children; dependability; ability to maintain records and make oral and written reports.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to walk, talk and hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet, and at times can be noisy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT AND CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT :

• Possession of a valid NYS Operators License.

Special Requirements for Appointment:

• Successful completion of a background investigation will be required prior to appointment.

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or marital status.

Non-Competitive Class