Permanency Specialist

Position Summary

The Permanency Specialist works as part of the residential social service team to ensure that each youth has a clear, actionable, and timely plan toward a safe, stable, and lifelong family connection. This role focuses on concurrent planning, adoption readiness, and reunification efforts, coordinating closely with caseworkers, families, foster / adoptive parents, ACS, and community partners. The Permanency Specialist serves as an advocate for youth in permanency planning meetings, facilitates meaningful engagement with birth families and kin, and ensures compliance with all applicable regulations and timeframes.

About St. John's

Founded in 1826 as a home for orphaned children, St. John's has evolved into a nonprofit social services agency providing residential care to New York City youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We offer holistic, trauma-informed support to young people up to age 21.

Our main campus in Rockaway Park, Queens, houses a Residential Treatment Center, Close to Home Non-Secure Placement programs, administrative offices, clinical services, and an on-site NYC Department of Education school. We also operate a Non-Secure Detention residence in Richmond Hill and Limited Secure Placement programs in Brooklyn and Staten Island.

St. John's is dedicated to helping youth heal, grow, and build the skills they need to achieve their goals and return to family or a stable, supportive environment as engaged members of their communities.

Key Responsibilities

Permanency Planning & Coordination

• Lead the development and implementation of individualized permanency plans for each assigned youth, aligned with agency and ACS policy requirements.
• Ensure concurrent planning is in place and updated regularly to avoid delays in permanency.
• Coordinate with case planners, legal representatives, and court personnel to support case progress.

Youth & Family Engagement

Adoption & Guardianship Readiness

Collaboration & Documentation

Compliance & Quality Improvement

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Skills

Additional Requirements