1. What is the Summer Youth Employment Program
(SYEP)?
SYEP is a job program that provides youth between the ages of 14
- 24 years old with work experience, life skills training and income during the
summer months and qualified organizations with free summer help.
2. When will SYEP start?
 SYEP is a seven week
program that will begin on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 and continue through Saturday,
August 21, 2010.
3. Can I work on
weekends?
Work on weekends is permitted but it is up to your SYEP
Provider and the worksite. Your total hours for SYEP cannot exceed 25 hours per
week.
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1. How do I qualify for SYEP?
To be eligible for SYEP,
you must be at least 14 years old but not over 24 years old as of the start of
the program on July 6, 2010. You must also permanently reside within the five
boroughs of New York City.
2. When will the SYEP
applications be available?
SYEP applications will be available April 19,
2010.
3. How do I apply for SYEP?
Visit www.nyc.gov/dycd and complete the
application online. You can also download and print a copy of the application,
complete it and return it to a community-based SYEP Provider.
4. Where can I obtain an SYEP application?
To obtain an
application, you may do any one of the following:
- Visit the DYCD website at www.nyc.gov/dycd to download and print
out a copy; or
- Review the list of authorized SYEP Providers on the DYCD website at www.nyc.gov./dycd and visit any of
these providers to obtain an application
DYCD cannot mail applications to you, nor do we accept applications by
mail.
5. Where do I submit my SYEP
application?
To submit an application, you must do one of the
following:
- Submit your application to anauthorizedSYEP Provider. The list of
these Providers is attached to the application or you can visit the DYCD
website (www.nyc.gov/dycd) to
obtain the list of SYEP Providers; or
- Fill out the application online at www.nyc.gov/dycd. Then submit it
electronically to the SYEP Provider of your choice. Review the list of
required documents and have them ready (see Required Documents Checklist). You
do not have to submit any required documents to the SYEP Provider until you
have been selected for a job.
6. Can I mail in my application to DYCD or to an SYEP
Provider?
No, applications may only be submitted online or in person to
an SYEP Provider. All applications must be submitted to an SYEP Provider. DYCD
does not accept SYEP applications.
7. Can I submit
more than one SYEP application? Does it increase my chances to be selected for a
job?
No, only the first application submitted will be accepted.
8. Will I receive a receipt confirming that I have submitted
an SYEP application?
Yes. If you are submitting an online application,
you will be given an opportunity to print out a receipt and the completed
application. If you are submitting an application by hand to an authorized SYEP
Provider, you should also receive a receipt for the submission of your
application.
9. When is the deadline to submit a
complete SYEP application?
The deadline to submit a complete SYEP
application to an authorized SYEP Provider is Friday, May 28,
2010.
10. Do I have to pay any fees to apply
or work for SYEP?
No. DYCD does not require a fee for applying to SYEP.
SYEP Providers, Worksites, or any other parties are not allowed to charge a fee
for participation in SYEP. To apply for SYEP, you only need to submit a
completed application either online or in person to an authorized SYEP
Provider.
If selected for the program, you will need to submit further
documentation to verify the information on your application. You will be
responsible for obtaining and providing these documents at that point (see the
list of required documents). These are the only costs that you should incur to
apply for SYEP.
During the summer, you may be responsible for your own
transportation to and from work as well as your own meals. These are the only
out-of-pocket costs that you should incur while working for SYEP.
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1. How will SYEP applicants be selected?
DYCD will
conduct a lottery of complete applications to determine whether applicants are
offered a job.
2. How does the lottery
work?
Applicants submitting a complete application to an authorized SYEP
Provider are placed into a pool for potential selection. The SYEP computer
system will randomly select complete applications for enrollment into
SYEP.
3. How will I know if I am selected to
participate in SYEP?
The authorized SYEP Provider where you submitted
your application will contact you if you have been selected through the
lottery.
To be notified, it is necessary that you provide your correct
contact information (address, telephone number, email address). The SYEP
Provider will also have a list of participants that are selected for a job at
its intake site.
4. How can I check on the status
of my SYEP application?
Visit the DYCD website (www.nyc.gov/dycd) and follow the
instructions, or contact the authorized SYEP Provider where you submitted your
application.
5. Do I need Working
Papers?
Yes. If you are selected for an SYEP position and you are under
the age of 18 (as of the start of the program on July 6, 2010), you must submit
your most current working papers. Working papers can be obtained through any New
York City Public High School or Regional Office. If you are currently not
attending school, visit your local New York City Public High School or
Department of Education Regional Office or call 311. For a list of schools and
regional offices and their contact information, please visit www.schools.nyc.gov.
6. Besides an SYEP application and Working Papers what
other documentation is required?
If you are selected for an SYEP
position, you will need to also provide copies of documents that will verify the
information that you have provided on your application. You can download a list
of required documents from the SYEP website. To find the list, you can go back
to the "SYEP Documents" menu to access it.
Note that if you are a male,
18 years or older at the time of enrollment, you must provide proof of
Selective Service registration. To register or obtain proof of registration, you
can visit the Selective Service website at www.sss.gov.
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1. How much does SYEP
pay?
SYEP Participants will earn the New York State minimum wage of $7.25
an hour and may work up to 25 hours per week.
2. How
will I be paid?
SYEP Participants are paid every two weeks through direct
deposit to the SYEP Debit Card or designated personal bank account. Please
review the SYEP Debit Card instructions that are included in your debit card
packet. You can also visit our website at www.nyc.gov/dycd (under Summer Youth
Employment Program) for more information and instructions on how to access your
summer pay.
4. Can I work overtime?
No.
SYEP cannot pay for overtime. If you are asked by the worksite to work overtime,
you must inform your SYEP Provider.
5. Can I
attend summer school and also participate in SYEP?
Yes, if your SYEP
Provider can arrange a schedule that accommodates both work and
school.
6. What type of summer jobs are
available?
The SYEP Provider will determine the range of placement
possibilities. SYEP has traditionally offered jobs as clerical, hospital, camp,
cultural and custodial aides in government and non profit agencies. The SYEP
Providers may also provide jobs in private, for-profit companies in a variety of
industries.
7. Does SYEP offer jobs outside of
New York City?
Yes, as long as the SYEP Provider that you are enrolled
with has out-of-city worksite placements. The most common job available through
the Out-of City SYEP is an assistant camp counselor at a day or sleep away
camp.
If you are placed in a worksite outside of New York City, you will
be asked to provide guardian/parental consent.
8.
What will my work week consist of?
Your summer job hours will consist of
a combination of work and Educational Component hours. The actual work schedule
will be developed and provided by the worksite to which you are
assigned.
9. What is the SYEP Education
Component?
The SYEP Education Component is a series of training classes
conducted by the SYEP Provider for all SYEP Participants. The classes are
designed to provide participants with basic to intermediate information on
topics such as job readiness, career exploration, financial literacy, college
and post-secondary educational opportunities and health education.
10. Must SYEP Participants attend the SYEP Education
Component?
All All SYEP Participants are required to spend at least 10
percent of their SYEP hours attending the educational workshops. Participants
are paid for their training time and will not be paid for any educational hours
that are missed.SYEP Participants are required to spend at least 10 percent of
their SYEP hours attending the educational workshops. Participants are paid for
their training time and will not be paid for any educational hours that are
missed.
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1. Who is responsible for paying the youth?
The
New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) pays the
wages and the SYEP Worksites provide youth participants with work and
supervision.
2. How many hours can the youth work,
and how much are they paid?
SYEP pays youth to work a maximum of 25 hours
a week at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
3. What are the qualifications to become an SYEP
Worksite?
Organizations that wish to receive SYEP workers can be
not-for-profit, for-profit or government agencies. They must be able to provide
youth with productive work for the entire duration of the program and proper
adult supervision. They must also abide by all federal, state and local labor
laws and facilities health and safety regulations. All childcare programs and
facilities must have a current license or permit to operate.
4. How does an organization apply to become an SYEP
Worksite?
Organizations that want to participate in SYEP must apply as an
SYEP Worksite with a DYCD-contracted community-based SYEP Provider. A listing of
the Providers can be found at www.nyc.gov/dycd. The application can be submitted
directly to one or more SYEP Providers or online to the DYCD website.
Organizations can access a list of SYEP Providers and a brief description of
each provider when they complete an online SYEP Worksite application.
5. How are the youth selected to work in the
program?
Youth are selected by a lottery conducted for all complete and
eligible applications that are submitted by the application deadline. Youth can
apply for SYEP beginning in April and up until the middle of May. Applications
can be submitted online or by hardcopy in person to an SYEP Provider.
6. Who is responsible for placing the youth at the
Worksites?
The SYEP Providers are responsible for developing Worksites
and placing the youth at the Worksites. An organization must work with at least
one SYEP Provider in order to receive SYEP workers.
7. Can the Worksite select the youth for their
Worksite?
All youth are selected by a lottery. Worksites must work with
their designated SYEP Provider to determine which of the selected youth can be
assigned to that Worksite.
8. Is there a
screening process to ensure the youth are ready to work?
DYCD and its
SYEP Providers verify the age, city residence and permission to work status of
each participant selected and enrolled in SYEP. In addition, SYEP Providers
conduct a series of educational workshops with their participants that address
workplace readiness and other life skills. If the Worksite has additional
requirements such as medical clearance, criminal background checks and the like,
it is responsible for letting participants know about the requirements and
providing for the screening of participants prior to their placement at that
Worksite.
9. What kind of work are SYEP
Participants allowed to perform?
Worksites are required to provide proper
supervision and age-appropriate work for youth between the ages of 14 and 24.
All SYEP Worksites are required to abide by federal, state and local labor laws.
In addition, there are other forbidden activities that are listed in the SYEP
Worksite Manual. In particular, DYCD does not allow SYEP participants to operate
motor vehicles, take part in political activities or fundraise on behalf of the
Worksite or SYEP Provider as part of their work assignment in SYEP.
10. Is there any additional support provided to the
Worksite staff throughout the program?
If the Worksite is accepted, the
SYEP Provider will conduct a program orientation, provide you with the SYEP
Worksite Manual and conduct weekly visits to support the participants placed at
your site. You should communicate with the SYEP Provider regarding questions
about the SYEP or specific issues related to participants placed at the
Worksite.
11. Can a Worksite terminate the
employment of an SYEP Participant?
DYCD encourages Worksites, SYEP
Providers and Participant to maintain a continuous communication and feedback
regarding the job performance of Participants. If the Worksite is dissatisfied
with the performance of an SYEP Participant, the Worksite must inform the SYEP
Provider and attempt to resolve the issue along with the Provider. The Worksite
must not terminate Participants and send them home independently.
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