Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information - References
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

SOFIA AKHTAR

Brooklyn,NY

Summary

Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

CHILD PROTECTIVE SPECIALIST (CPS)

THE CITY OF NEW YORK – ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES
04.2018 - Current
  • Complete field visits to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect
  • Engage in a strength-based approach with families to assess their individual and collective strengths and needs
  • Interview family members and collaterals to assess child safety and well-being
  • Assess the risk of future abuse or neglect of children in the family
  • Coordinate a team of family members, staff, and service providers to evaluate safety and identify interventions that can reduce risks to children
  • Remove children into protective custody or foster care when children are found to be in imminent danger
  • Enter and maintain accurate and timely computerized records of all case information
  • Help families navigate government agencies and access entitlement benefits
  • File petitions and testify in family court and other legal proceedings as necessary
  • Working with families from diverse ethnic backgrounds, collaborating with them, respecting their cultural, and religious values, and finding a solution-focused approach to presented issues.

LEAD BENEFITS MANAGER

NEW YORK TAXI WORKERS ALLIANCE
07.2010 - 08.2016
  • Oversaw staff of 3, developed office policies such as payment of dues & refunds
  • Assisted the Director of the organization in enhancing member benefits with partner organizations
  • Every quarter assessed the performance of law offices that NYTWA contracted to address members’ issues with different city agencies
  • Ran a monthly legal clinic in partnership with the Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund where members were provided with referrals and expert advice on immigration related issues from an immigration lawyer
  • Developed and wrote a training manual for future hires.

ASSOCIATES BENEFITS MANAGER

NEW YORK TAXI WORKERS ALLIANCE
09.2010 - 04.2016
  • Dealt with members daily, on issues ranging from advocacy, licensing, and benefits
  • On a given day 40 to 50 members would walk into the office, which my team of three including myself promptly dealt with
  • A record amount of servicing 80 members was done in one day
  • Opened & ran the office for extended hours by myself, dealing with 20 to 30 walk-ins besides taking phone calls
  • Represented members at the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission, NYS Dept
  • Of Motor Vehicle & NYC Dept
  • Of Finance
  • Handled members’ traffic violations, suspensions & license revocations
  • A taxi driver’s livelihood depended on the outcome of how well I took care of their concerns
  • Found remedies and devised strategies that greatly helped members, e.g., keeping driver licenses in good standing resulting in low insurance costs and avoiding annual assessments & fines for the drivers
  • Developed excellent member complaint resolution mechanisms that resulted in better member retention and satisfaction
  • Raised the number of dues paying members from 2500 to 4000.

Education

Master of Arts - Clinical Practice With Individuals, Families And G

Silberman School of Social Worl
2180, 3rd Ave New York, NY 10035
07.2025

BS in Sociology -

CUNY Brooklyn College
01.2010

Skills

  • Organizational Leadership
  • Customer Service
  • Program Development
  • Efficient user of Microsoft Office
  • Fluent in English, Urdu & Punjabi
  • Documentation Skills
  • Family Support
  • Service Planning
  • Safety Assessments
  • Case Management
  • Client Advocacy
  • Community Resources
  • Client Needs Assessment

Additional Information - References

  • Bhairavi Desai, Executive Director, New York Taxi Workers Alliance, nytwa1@aol.com, 718.706.9892
  • Stanley Mark, Senior Staff Attorney, Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund, smark@aaldef.org, 212.966.5932

Accomplishments

The City of New York Administration for Children Services awarded me Distinguished Service Award in 2020. The award honored and celebrated staff members who through their extraordinary performance, contribute significantly to the agency's mission of protecting and promoting the safety and well-being of NYC's children and families.

Timeline

CHILD PROTECTIVE SPECIALIST (CPS)

THE CITY OF NEW YORK – ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES
04.2018 - Current

ASSOCIATES BENEFITS MANAGER

NEW YORK TAXI WORKERS ALLIANCE
09.2010 - 04.2016

LEAD BENEFITS MANAGER

NEW YORK TAXI WORKERS ALLIANCE
07.2010 - 08.2016

Master of Arts - Clinical Practice With Individuals, Families And G

Silberman School of Social Worl

BS in Sociology -

CUNY Brooklyn College
SOFIA AKHTAR