Department of Civil Service

Health and Human Services - Social Work

Salary Range

NYC Metro - From $59,637 to $75,066
Rest of State - From $56,550 to $71,979

(Salary may differ from what is listed for an agency and/or location. See HELP job postings for specific salary.)

Career Ladder Information

Below is a listing of titles that are most commonly used as steps for upward mobility for this title series.

As a Child Protective Services Specialist 1 you would receive reports of suspected child abuse and maltreatment via the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment telephone hot line. You would screen calls for appropriateness, evaluate the information, and prepare and transmit reported cases to local social services districts. You would also provide technical assistance to local district staff; participate in various monitoring functions; provide information and referrals to concerned individuals and agencies; and screen applicants for potential employment in child care, day care, and related positions in accordance with the Social Service Law. The duties of the position require that individuals possess good verbal communication skills and the ability to cope with often anxious and upset callers. The New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation. Child Protective Services Specialist 1’s are initially assigned to evening and night shifts and may be required to work weekends and holidays. Assignments to the day shift will be made based on seniority.

• Office of Children & Family Services

Either 1. A bachelor's degree or higher in a human services field;*

Or 2. An associate's degree in a human services field* AND two years of experience where your primary responsibility (at least 50% of your official duties) was in the direct provision of child protective services. This experience MUST include investigating reports of suspected child abuse and maltreatment or conducting a differential response (FAR-Family Assessment Response); conducting an assessment to determine that the children named in the report are safe; determining if there is credible evidence that the children have been abused or maltreated; and analyzing information to determine the case findings, if the family needs services, and if other actions are warranted, such as court intervention;

Or 3. Four years of experience where your primary responsibility (at least 50% of your official duties) was in the direct provision of child protective services. This experience MUST include investigating reports of suspected child abuse and maltreatment or conducting a differential response (FAR-Family Assessment Response); conducting an assessment to determine that the children named in the report are safe; determining if there is credible evidence that the children have been abused or maltreated; and analyzing information to determine the case findings, if the family needs services, and if other actions are warranted, such as court intervention.

*A human services degree will be defined as: Audiology, community mental health, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, social work, speech/language pathology, therapeutic recreation, gerontology, human services, sociology, speech communication, counseling, education, and human development.

Examples of Non-Qualifying Experience include casework services not related to children and families; classroom teacher, tutor or Head Start worker, daycare provider or administrator of a daycare center, camp counselor or provider of recreational services, foster parent, transportation service worker, clerical duties, or provider of correctional services.