Job Description IF YOU ARE HIRED PROVISIONALLY IN THIS TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAM, WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT. *ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION* Newly hired Caseworkers will receive $46,689/YR Newly hired Caseworkers are now eligible to receive a bonus of up to $6000 during a two-year period between April 2024 to March 2026. Caseworkers hired and onboarded by April 1,2024 and who remain active on payroll through this period will have the opportunity to earn up to four (4) bi-annual $1,500 bonus payments, for a possible maximum of $6,000. Criteria are that staff remain on active status during the entirety of each six-month period listed here: *RETENTION BONUS* - April 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024 - October 1. 2024 - March 31, 2024. - April 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025. - October 1, 2025 - March 31,2026. *ASSIGNMENT DIFFERENTIAL* OCSE CASEWORKERS RECEIVE A YEARLY DIFFERNTIAL OF $1540 The OCSS Borough Offices are the point of entry into the child support system for custodial parents who are Cash Assistance applicants and recipients. Custodial parents are automatically referred for child support services as a requirement for full benefits for their household. When the noncustodial parent’s whereabouts are or become known, cases will be referred to the family court to initiate the legal child support proceedings, for pursuing orders of support and/or the establishment of paternity. Custodial parents and their families rely on the agency to provide guidance in collecting monies due to them and to use all means at the disposal of the agency to collect such monies. Under the supervision of the Supervisor I (Social Services), the Caseworker, with latitude for independent actions, conducts client interviews and investigations with referrals from Family Independence Administration (FIA) for the purposes of locating the legally, responsible, absent parents of their children. This process is required for the applicant to remain eligible for assistance. When the absent parent is located, the information is referred to DSS Court Services for the preparation of the summons for the absent parent to appear in court in order to confirm paternity and establish child support. OCCS is recruiting six (6) Manhattan Borough Office Caseworkers who will: - Assess whether an interview is required, and conduct required interviews for the purpose of completing the child support application, building and/or updating the case record, and locating the non-custodial parent. Schedules follow-up interviews and activities as needed. Client contact may be in-person or by telephone. - Conduct comprehensive system searches in various applications based on leads obtained during the client interview, pursue and develop leads through systems searches and contacts so that the non-custodial parent is located. - Communicate with other OCSS departments and entities to obtain information and/or required documents. - Ensure all necessary documentation is available for referral to court to establish parentage and/or an order of support. - Understand and adhere to correct operational procedures and established guidelines to prevent delays in referring the case to court and ensures accuracy of the completed work. Prepare and complete standard forms and other supporting documentation to move the cases from the Borough Office to Court. - Complete worker logs to reflect interviews conducted throughout the day. - Participate in special projects; performs other Caseworker allowable functions within the program area. Hours: 8:30-9:30 / 9:00 – 10:00am (flex) Work Location: 115 Chrystie Street, NY, NY, 10002 Qualifications 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university accredited by regional, national, professional, or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Additional Information: Section 424-a of the New York State Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities is or has been the subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report on file with the State Central Register for child abuse and maltreatment. State Central Register screening will be conducted prior to considering a candidate for employment as a Caseworker. Candidates who have been the subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report will not be assigned to any position which requires child-care responsibilities. Employees who have been the subject of such a report may be reassigned or terminated from employment from their positions as Caseworker. Additional Information The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.