Flight Crew Type 245
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
Climbing out of EWR on Runway 22R via the EWR2 departure we were cleared to 6;000 feet. Subsequently; we were advised of VFR traffic at 12 o'clock position [at] 6;500 feet. We had reported the aircraft in sight. As we were leveling off in the climb; we received a TCAS RA. I was still flying without the autopilot; however; neither of us remembered to de-select the Flight Directors. I noticed that the VFR traffic was only indicating 400 feet above us so I nudged the aircraft down another 80 feet to approximately 5;920 feet before the traffic passed directly overhead. A few moments later and after receiving the clear of conflict alert; we were cleared to climb to a higher altitude.
A320 First Officer reported a near mid-air collision on climb out from EWR when VFR traffic passed above them with less than 500 feet vertical clearance.