Description

Title: Community Engagement Specialist

Unit: Court Advocacy – Supervised Release Program

Reports to: Community Engagement Specialist Supervisor

Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000

Status: Full Time; Regular, Non-Exempt

Location: Bronx

Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Position Summary

Supervised Release offers an alternative to jail, providing pretrial supervision, case management, and voluntary social services to people charged with misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenses. Program participants are monitored to ensure their appearance at court dates, and they receive referrals to community-based programming. Under the Supervised Release Program (SRP), the Community Engagement Specialist (CES) will provide engagement of SRP participants, focusing primarily on clients who require additional supports to remain compliant with program mandates. Engagement strategies may include warm hand-offs, arranging transportation or other services to facilitate access, text messages or phone calls outside of mandated check-ins, and coffee/snack purchases for clients to facilitate trust-building. 

Mission, Culture and Fit

The CES must embody the values and mission of the Fortune Society. This includes meeting our participants where they are, demonstrating our values through compassion and understanding; and affirming that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done. 

Attention to Detail

The CES must demonstrate competency to develop systems and processes to organize and keep track of information or work progress; is routinely conscientious, thorough, accurate and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; and recognizes trends, detects inconsistencies, and determines essential details.

Collaboration

The CES must collaborate and coordinate with Case Managers and Social Workers to provide care and support to those who are in need of higher levels of supervision. Additionally, the CES must collaborate with external providers where individuals are receiving voluntary services to ensure coordinated care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Community navigation and advocacy to increase access to services and other support systems;

• Work closely with case management and social work teams to identify community barriers to returning to court or maintaining supervision schedule;

• Maintain partnerships with community-based organizations that provide voluntary services to participants;

• Complete all necessary documentation and input data into case management database in a timely manner;

• Provide escorts to participants for court appearances and service providers (e.g. substance use, mental health, GED, job training, benefits, etc.);

• Facilitate psychoeducational and skills development group sessions;

• Peer mentoring, role modeling and assistance in developing coping skills;

• Education on and support with accessing voluntary services;

• Assistance with reentry from the criminal justice system.

• Attend and participate in all necessary SRP meetings, conferences, and trainings;

• Engage in his/her own ongoing professional development; and

• Additional responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Applicants must be a fully-certified Peer Specialist or be willing to train as one;

• High school diploma or equivalency required;

• Must have a valid Driver’s License;

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred;

• Ability to work a flexible schedule;

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office;

• Ability to work independently and on a team;

• Able to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally-competent manner;

• We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus. 

Travel Requirements: Travel throughout the Bronx is required.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national