New York Health Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Summit

63Join for the second annual Health Coverage Regional Outreach and Enrollment Summits. Summits around the State will bring together community leaders and stakeholders to prepare for the upcoming open enrollment season and examine best practices from the first year of outreach and enrollment for NY State of Health.

Over a million New Yorkers have already enrolled in free or low-cost coverage. We need to build on this success for the second year of open enrollment. Representatives from community-based non-profits and service organizations, small business, Navigators and CACs, healthcare facilities, unions, health plans, and healthcare advocates are encouraged to attend the summit in their region.

The Capital District Summit will be held Friday, September 12th from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm at SEIU Albany, 155 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210. Visit Citizen Action NY to register or contact Bob Cohen by E-mail or at 518-465-4600 x104. Please make sure to include your full name, title, organization, and phone number when you RSVP.

We look forward to another successful year of enrollment to ensure all New Yorkers have access to quality health insurance!This event series is being held in cooperation with New York State Department of Health.

Schenectady Police Officer Exam Information Session

You are cordially invited to an information session for the upcoming City of Schenectady Police Officer Exam.

The event will be held on September 8th from 6 to 7:30 PM at the Steinmetz Family Investment Center, 120 Emmons Street, Schenectady, NY. Officers will be present to answer your questions. Please RSVP to Michele Alois or Miriam Cajuste. Women and Minorities are strongly encouraged to attend.

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Prayer Service on the 13th Anniversary of 9/11/2001

This Thursday, September 11th is the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. We will recall the tragic events of 9-11-01 with a prayer service that evening at 7pm. These terrorist acts, and events more recently experienced, were and are inspired by a warped sense of religion. Because faith can be manipulated in evil and destructive ways, it is so important that we pray to God for the virtue of Brotherly Love. All are welcome.

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Reflection for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2014

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Do I have to be
responsible?

Jesus said to his disciples: “Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

There is a very close parallel between today’s Old Testament reading, Epistle, and Gospel. They all speak of a set of inter-related obligations we have as members of the Church. It is our call and obligation to be responsible for our brothers and sisters, to hold them accountable, and to do all of this in the spirit of love.

This call and obligation originate in our baptism. In baptism we are regenerated and made members of the Holy Church, the Body of Christ here on earth. As members and parts of the Body, we are responsible for taking care of the rest of the Body. As St. Paul tells us: But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

This responsibility extends to taking care of the parts of the Body that are sick – not just those who are physically or emotionally ill, but also those who are spiritually ill. This is one of the very hardest things to do, to encounter a Christian suffering in sin and to discuss it with them, to call them back to truth and faithfulness.

How hard is it to visit a sick person? That can make us feel uncomfortable. It reminds us of our human frailty. So much more is there fear in confronting a sinner. Not only is it uncomfortable, it reminds us that we sin and fall; that one day we too may be visited by someone who will call us back to faithfulness.

We must work diligently and pray for the courage to reach out to those who persist in sin, who have fallen away, or who bring division to the Body. This is an obligation of love. When we take up our responsibility we must be very careful so that it does not turn to judgmentalism or arrogance. As St. Paul notes: Love does no evil to the neighbor.

As we pray, we are given the grace and courage to lovingly call to the sick members of the Body to do what is right and to return. We are reassured that just as we act on our responsibility in a faithful manner, others will act responsibly toward us and bring us back when we fall ill with sin.

As we strive to live out our responsibilities, Jesus assures us that He remains with us. This gives us the confidence needed to take the track of loving responsibility.

Happy Labor Day

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Almighty and everlasting God, by Whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified, receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before Thee for all estates of men and women who labor and seek justice for workers, that each in their vocation, ministry, and labor may truly and godly serve our society to Thy greater glory and his own sanctification and salvation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

September 2014 Newsletter – Preparing for Holy Synod

August 30th and our newsletter is here two days early!

September calls us to preparation for Holy Synod and the four things we are called to do: pray, take part, suggest, and be confident. September also calls us to ask God’s blessings upon our labor and to invite friends, family, and neighbors back to church. Read reports on our summer activities and all the wonderful things our youth have been engaged in. This summer showed forth so many blessings on our community of faith. We invite you be part of these blessings right here in Schenectady. You may view and download a copy right here — September 2014 Newsletter.

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Reflection for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Youth Sunday, and Labor Day

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A call to be
changed.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

Today we celebrate a call to be changed, to offer ourselves to God in all we do, and in doing so to make His kingdom a reality.

How will we make this change real? How will we respond and get to work? What will we do to be transformed into people completely focused on carrying out God’s will for humanity?

Our Holy Church has designated this Sunday as Youth Sunday. Our youth will be returning to school. They will study and grow in knowledge so that they may take their place in society, contributing their work and effort – but to what end?

If their studies are self-focused, if they are taken up without due consideration of God’s call to be changed and to change the world, they will only make their lives small and self-serving. They may achieve earthly success, but in the process lose their souls. If however, their study and growth remain focused on God’s call to change and affect change in accord with His call, their lives will be glorious and complete. They will use what they have gained to come into union with God and to carry out His will. We must help them by our example, prayer, and support. Our duty is to continually assist them in realizing that everything they learn and do is a gift from God and requires a response to His call to change.

This weekend we also celebrate Labor Day. Our work and labor must also been seen in light of the call to be changed and change the world. Paraphrasing our organizer, Bishop Hodur: ‘The time will come when our heroes emerging from the homes of farmers and laborers will sweat and sacrifice not for kings or the rights of the privileged or a single class, but will battle and work for freedom and the rights of man. Let us gather and strive to be first in good and last in wrong. Then shall we bring ourselves, our nation, and the whole world closer to happiness and salvation.’

We are thus called to change ourselves and the world, to transform life away from the money-driven values of this world to the bringing of the kingdom of God.

We are called to make change real in the lives of our youth and in our lives. This is true worship: “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” Do not live the status quo. It is not enough! Jesus put His body on the line for us. So we must put our lives on the line, changing them for Him and working for the coming of His kingdom.

New Job Announcements as of August 29th

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City of Schenectady – Provisional Paralegal Position

There is a full-time opening for a provisional Paralegal position in the Law Department. The annual salary range is $37,592 to $41,595 commensurate with experience. See attached for job description and minimum qualifications. Applicants must be residents of the City of Schenectady and remain residents throughout employment. All interested parties should submit a completed City of Schenectady Application or resume to:

Kathy Finch, Personnel & Benefits Administrator
City Hall, Room 105
Schenectady NY 12305

Resumes can also be E-mailed.

Completed applications/resumes need to be received in the Personnel & Benefits Administrator’s Office (City Hall, Room 105) by 4:00 PM September 5, 2014.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation – Maintenance Assistant (Seasonal) 2 Positions

Date Posted: 08/25/14
Applications Due: 09/08/14
Vacancy ID: 15713
Salary Range: $15.10 Hourly
Employment Type: Part-Time
Appointment Type: Temporary
Jurisdictional Class: Non-competitive Class
Schedule: Variable, 32 hours weekly, 7 AM to 3:30 PM
Location: 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561

Minimum Qualifications: Two years of experience in maintenance or mechanical work under the supervision of a skilled trades-worker or completion of an appropriate two-year technical school course. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Will operate a chainsaw and must be able to successfully complete our chainsaw safety training course within 60 days of appointment. Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain on foot carrying loads up to 75 lbs. Will work outside in adverse weather conditions. Must be able to respond to after hour emergencies and overtime may be required. Must be able to operate a standard shift. Will operate heavy machinery if your license is appropriate for that type of work and must be able to load, unload and trailer same in a safe and efficient manner. Candidates will perform routine repairs and maintenance on equipment. Must demonstrate ability to work independently with little or no direction. May be required to supervise one or more personnel in completing routine job assignments. May not be assigned the same job location each day. Should expect to be assigned anywhere in the working circle during work days.

Contact Information:

Sherri Montross
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233

Notes on Applying: E-mail or mail your resume to the above. Be sure to put (OPS 14-35) on your resume or it may not be accepted.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation – Laborer (Seasonal)

Date Posted: 08/25/14
Applications Due: 09/08/14
Vacancy ID: 15709
Salary Range: $13.54 Hourly
Employment Type: Part-Time
Appointment Type: Temporary
Jurisdictional Class: Non-competitive Class
Workweek: Variable, 32 hours weekly, 7 AM to 3:30 PM
Location: 78 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Minimum Qualifications: Must possess a valid NYS driver’s license. Must be able to safely load, unload and trailer same. Must successfully complete our chainsaw safety training course within 60 days of appointment. Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain on foot carrying loads up to 50 lbs. The use of personal protection equipment is required. Will work outside in adverse weather conditions must be able to respond to after hour emergencies and overtime may be required. Preference will be given to candidates who are able to operate farm tractors, various mowers including a slope mower, heavy machinery such as dozers and excavators.

Contact Information:

Sherri Montross
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233

Notes on Applying: E-mail or mail your resume to the above. Be sure to put (OPS 14-35) on your resume or it may not be accepted.

NYS Office of Children and Family Services – Call Center Representative 2

Date Posted: 08/22/14
Applications Due: 09/08/14
Vacancy ID: 15687
Salary Range: From $44135 to $53606 Annually
Employment Type: Full-Time
Appointment Type: Provisional
Schedule: Mon-Fri, 37.5 hours/week, 9 AM to 5 PM
Location: Human Services Call Center, One Broadway Center, 9th Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305

Minimum Qualifications:

Open Competitive: Either a Bachelor’s and 1 year of work experience in a customer call center operation in a government agency; or Sixty college semester credit hours and 2 years of work experience in a customer call center operation in a government agency; or A high school diploma or GED and 3 years of work experience in a customer call center operation in a government agency.

Additional Comments: Up to 5 positions available. Pending Division of Budget Approval.

Contact Information:

Bureau of Personnel, EOA#14-338 VMR
Telephone: (518) 473-7936
Fax: (518) 474-0017
E-mail

Capital View Office Park
52 Washington Street
Room 231 North
Rensselaer, NY 12144

Notes on Applying: Qualified candidates should send a resume and cover letter giving the Title, Location, and EOA Number of the position being applied for. Please provide your E-mail address and your work, home and cell phone numbers. In order to qualify you for the position when you have current or prior New York State employment, you may be contacted by OCFS Personnel for your social security number to confirm your employment history.

Northeast Parent & Child Society – Clinical Case Manager

Northeast Parent & Child Society, one of New York State’s most innovative human service agencies, invites application for a Clinical Case Manager with IAPP in our Hudson, NY office.

The Intensive Aftercare Prevention Program (IAPP) provides six to nine months of intensive services to families whose children are either at risk of being removed from their homes or are already in placement. The goals of the program are to prevent out-of-home placement for troubled children, provide a safe environment to return children already in placement, and prevent future out-of-home placement.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Develop treatment plans to assist youth succeed with current issues. Develop a psychosocial assessment. Connect with the youth’s family to monitor progress and support the family’s effort to keep the youth safe. Ensure the coordination of services with service providers and collaterals involved with the youth and his/her family. Complete paperwork properly and within agency, county and state guidelines. Ability and willingness to do the job as changes arise.

Education / Experience: Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, criminal justice, psychology, human services or related field. Experience working with at-risk youth and families. Home and community based experience a plus.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:30AM – 5PM. Some evening hours depending on client need and schedule. On-call rotation for evenings, weekends and holidays.

To learn more about and apply for this position please visit us online.

Northeast Parent & Child Society – Clinic Director

The Northeast Parent & Child Society, a Northern Rivers Family Services affiliates, Child Guidance Clinic a nationally accredited mental health outpatient treatment program, invites application for a Clinic Director.

The Child Guidance Center offers children and families help in managing their emotional well-being and assistance in resolving issues that may cause impaired emotional/behavioral functioning and psychiatric difficulties.

The Clinic Director will develop, shape, and oversee the array of Agency Clinic Services offered so that it may best advance the agency’s mission and its strategic plan. Consult clients, customers, professional colleagues and the most current pertinent science in making decisions concerning the array of services.

Skills/Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Psychology, counseling, social work or related degree with five to seven years of experience. NYS Licensure required. LCSW-R preferred.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

To learn more about and apply for this position please visit us online.

Northeast Parent & Child Society – Day Treatment Clinician

The Northeast Parent & Child Society, one of New York State’s most innovative human service agencies, invites applications for a Day Treatment Clinician.

The School at Northeast is a co-ed special education program for 152 students in grades 6-12. Students typically cope with multiple problems including educational disabilities, family instability, emotional trauma, delinquency, mental illness, truancy, and substance abuse. The school offers a full curriculum in a structured and supportive learning environment, providing students with a variety of academic, recreational, and vocational opportunities.

In this position the Day Treatment Clinician provides therapeutic services to the students at the School at Northeast and their families. Clinician will assist students and families address significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in their lives to promote school success.

Skills/Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling from an accredited school required. NYS Licensed or licensed eligible. Minimum of two years relevant experience working with at risk youth; ability to follow oral and written instruction; and a valid Driver’s License.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm; School Calendar with extended school year (summer)

Review of applications will begin immediately and continued until the position is filled.

To apply for this position please visit us online.

Albany Community Action Partnership – Executive Director Position

The Board of Directors of the Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP) seeks an experienced, inspirational and resourceful Executive Director to provide operational oversight for a $10M organization within Board-established strategic goals and policies and statutory requirements. Candidates must have the demonstrated ability to promote a vision for ACAP’s future that attracts resources, visibility and partnerships to increase the organization’s positive impact on people seeking greater social and economic stability and better lives for themselves and their families.

The Executive Director will lead an executive team that has, during the past 18 months, implemented a major transition in staffing and service configuration, toward an integrated, customer-focused approach to intake, assessment, service provision and evaluation. This individual must demonstrate the ability to assess changing community and organizational needs, develop and oversee an entrepreneurial business model in a heavily regulated environment, and develop high level community relationships and alliances that will support ACAP’s strategic growth.

The responsibilities of the Executive Director include financial management, communications, fund development planning and successful revenue development, and continuous program quality improvement and personnel development and oversight, all representing high ethical standards and respect for the circumstances and needs of customers and the value of employees.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of 8 years progressive experience in a senior leadership role with a track record in strategic planning, fundraising, staff and leadership development, and program design, development and evaluation. The successful candidate must also have experience supporting a Board of Directors in its legal and fiduciary responsibilities, and in partnering with a Board to continually develop its composition and effectiveness. A master’s degree is preferred.

The salary for this position is based on meeting job qualifications and is competitive with comparable nonprofit organizations in the region.

To apply: Interested individuals should forward a resume, in confidence, with a cover letter and salary requirements, via E-mail by September 8th.