Usually, if youth is under 18, to be employed they must have working papers. Guidance departments in local schools will give you information. The working papers are kept on file by the place that employs you.
The work hours that are allowed for young people depend on age, type of work, and whether an individual is attending school. The NYS Dept. of Labor publication, "Laws Governing Employment of Minors In New York State," provides specific information on child labor laws or call the Rockland County Youth Bureau (638-5166) or schools for specific information.
The minimum wage in New York State is $4.25 an hour for most jobs. The minimum wage law does not apply when young persons babysit occasionally, so their pay is whatever you negotiate.
Other exceptions or complications may be involved with jobs where tips are common - in the restaurant industry, for example - but it's closely regulated and the employer is expected to know the complications involved. The youth should come out earning at least the minimum wage.
Youth who plan to get a job or open a bank account need Social Security numbers which are available at:
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 1-800-777-1213
29 N. Middletown Rd, Nanuet 10954
A birth certificate and one other piece of identification are required (such as a membership card, working papers or report card). Walk-in Monday through Friday, 9 to 4.
The local agency with employment as its major service is:
THE NYS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SPRING VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER 426-2700
235 N. Main St., Spring Valley 10977
Contact: Beverly Ansell
There is a daily listing of job openings in the Rockland - Westchester area and a special "Youth Employment" unit. Job bank listings can be obtained through a Jobs Plus! or Self Search Work Station computer. Representatives from VESID and DSS who are housed at Job Service, are well-informed of options open to young persons and should be viewed as additional resources when seeking employment or training there.
NYS Department of Labor's Spring Valley Community Service Center has an arrangement with the local Private Industry Council (PIC) to do the screening of all prospective participants in federally-funded jobs programs under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), the major federal employment training legislation in effect at this time. ("Screening" refers to determining whether a person is eligible for participation; eligibility is based on low-income and/or handicapping conditions and/or other "barriers" to employment.)
Job Service also has an arrangement with PIC to do screening and certifying of "disabled workers" - laid off due to plant closings or retractions or have difficulty entering labor market, without income eligibility requirements.
Persons going to NYS Job Service for the first time are advised to call before they go to know what records to carry with them if they expect to be eligible for the JTPA programs.
Another important office in determining eligibility for current employment/training programs is:
VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (VESID) 426-5410
15 Perlman Dr.. Spring Valley 10977
Contact: Jon Letscher
VESID determines if a person is eligible for vocational rehabilitation programs. VESID clients include youth who have "significant barriers to employment," whether they be physical, mental, emotional, or social. "Barriers" may include drug and alcohol abuse, learning disabilities, psychiatric problems, as well as physical and mental handicaps. A representative from VESID is on hand at Job Service in Spring Valley.
PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCIL (PIC) 735-7040
One Blue Hill Plaza, Pearl River 10965
Director: Donald Sluys
This local coordinating body allocates federal funds to develop "partnerships" between the private and public sector re: employment under JTPA.
The following agencies currently have program contracts with PIC:
Any or all of these agencies can be contacted for information about the programs they sponsor.
SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SYEP)
As Title IIB of JTPA, SYEP is the major summer youth employment training program at this time for ages 14-21. Eligibility, based on JTPA guidelines, is determined by the NYS Department of Labor Spring Valley Community Service Center (low income, public assistance, handicapped, barriers to employment). Stipends are paid. One local agency (RCDC) has an organized program.
ROCKLAND COUNTY SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM 638-5166
Inititated in the summer of 1994 and funded by the County of Rockland, the program is administered through the Youth Bureau. Rockland County residents, ages 14-21, are eligible provided their family's income does not exceed a a specific income guideline.
LIFE CAREER EDUCATIONAL PLANNING CENTER/RCC 574-4306
145 College Road, Suffern 10901
Contact: Barbara Kase
Provide career interest and assessment and academic advice for high school students through returning adults.
LIFE SKILLS DEPT/RCC
145 College Rd., Suffern 10901 574-4294
Contact: Maire Liberace
Courses to further pursue individual assessment and planning in the area of education or career choice.
JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES RCC 574-4302 (main campus)
College Rd., Suffern 10901
Contact: Marcy O'Brien
This satellite of the NYS Department of Labor is for the general community as well as students. Placement is made in full or part-time employment, on or off campus.
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
Apprenticeship programs are not well developed in the County. Most are in craft skills where the level of competency is established by a union. (Some local unions, such as the Carpenters' Union, have special programs set up. Call the Union directly.)
Contact Marvin White, Area Representative, US Dept. of Labor, (212) 337-2313
Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, 201 Varick St., New York 10014 to
learn how an individual program can be set up.
TARGETED TAX CREDITS
This program allows tax credits to employers who hire hard-to-place persons, including young people. Persons declared "eligible" at Job Service Intake can carry information with them about the tax credit program and proof of their eligibility as an incentive to their being hired.
ROCKLAND COUNTY GUIDANCE CENTER/DSS 358-9390
DISPLACED HOMEMAKER PROGRAM
Director: Dr. Rita Lieberman
This agency provides career counseling as well as career workshops. Sixty-plus employment group for senior citizens and displaced homemaker program featuring counseling and job placement.
ROCKLAND SUCCESS TEAMS 353-0579 (sponsored by Mental Health Assoc.)
Contact: Sue Hadley
An award winning youth development program to help high school students build self-esteem through setting personal, educational and career exploration goals, learning problem solving and decision making techniques and working as a team.
CAREER RESOURCE CENTER 365-5560
South Orangetown School District, Tappan Zee HS, Orangeburg 10962
Coordinator: Joan Donovan
Career information available. Call for information or appointment.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM 947-1000 x3268
LETCHWORTH VILLAGE, Thiells 10962
ROCKLAND PSYCHIATRIC CENTER 359-1000 x2947
Orangeburg 10962
SCHOOL TO EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (STEP)
This NYS program for potential dropouts provides 20 hours work per week during the school year and up to 40 hours during vacation and summer for ages 16-21. Minimum wage is paid.
SPRING VALLEY HS: 577-6500
(Contact: Mary Kaplan) 577-6549
RAMAPO HS: 577-6400
(Contact: Isaiah Pauling 577-6431
This program helps youth who are identified as potential dropouts to find part-time jobs without giving up school, and prepares youth for job seeking readiness.
DSS EMPLOYMENT UNIT 364-3143
Bldg. L, Pomona Health Center
Pomona 10970
The unit works to restore public assistance applicants and recipients to gainful employment through a variety of employment programs. In addition, they approve vocational exemptions for school attendance, monitor clients in training programs and monitor the attendance of alcohol and drug abusers in rehabilitation programs.