NYS Office of Children and Family Services

Program Aide (NY HELPS)

RENSSELAER, NYPosted 30+ days ago

Job summary

  • Job post source

    This job is directly from NYS Office of Children and Family Services

  • Job overview

    The Program Aide (NY HELPS) supports contract compliance and administrative tasks within the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, contributing to the agency's mission to promote health and safety for needy children and families.

  • Responsibilities and impact

    The role involves logging and processing contract compliance correspondence, maintaining contract files and spreadsheets, using contract management systems, supporting contract managers and program staff, and assisting with report preparation to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

  • Experience and skills

    Candidates must have three years of clerical, keyboarding, or paraprofessional office experience to qualify, with specific transfer eligibility criteria for internal candidates.

  • Career development

    Employees hired under NY HELPS may convert to competitive status after one year and can participate in promotion examinations, offering career advancement opportunities within New York State service.

  • Work environment and culture

    The agency values diversity, inclusion, and racial justice, encourages applicants from marginalized communities, and fosters a supportive and equitable work environment.

  • Company information

    The NYS Office of Children and Family Services focuses on child and family welfare, enforcing contracting and payment standards regulated by state and federal laws.

  • Application process

    Applicants undergo criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and screening against child abuse registries as part of the hiring process, with non-competitive appointment under NY HELPS program.

  • Unique job features

    The position is part of the NY HELPS emergency hiring program allowing non-competitive appointment with eventual conversion to competitive status.

Company overview

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is a government agency responsible for promoting the well-being and safety of children, families, and vulnerable adults in New York State. They provide a range of services including child welfare, juvenile justice, and child care regulation, as well as support for families in need. The agency makes money through state funding and federal grants, which are allocated to implement and manage these programs. Established in 1998, OCFS plays a crucial role in shaping policies and services that aim to protect and support the state's most vulnerable populations. Understanding their mission and the scope of their services is essential for any candidate interested in contributing to this impactful organization.

How to land this job

  • Position your resume to emphasize your experience in clerical, keyboarding, or paraprofessional office work, highlighting your ability to manage contract compliance documentation and correspondence efficiently and accurately.

  • Highlight skills related to contract management systems such as CMS, NYSCS, and SFS, as well as your capability to maintain detailed spreadsheets and files, since these are key components of the job duties.

  • Apply through multiple platforms including the NYS Office of Children and Family Services official careers page and LinkedIn to maximize your chances of visibility and consideration for the Program Aide position under NY HELPS.

  • Connect with current employees or managers in the Compliance Unit or related divisions at OCFS on LinkedIn, using ice breakers like asking about their experience with contract compliance workflows or recent initiatives related to NY HELPS to start a meaningful conversation.

  • Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'contract compliance,' 'document management,' 'NYSCS,' 'CMS,' 'budget modifications,' and 'time/cost amendments' to ensure your resume passes automated screenings.

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