Group Facilitator, CRED

Title:                                 Group Facilitator, CRED

Unit:                                  Employment Services

Reports to:                        Program Director, CRED              

Status:                                Full Time; Regular, Non-Exempt

Salary Range:                   $27.48 to $30.22 (approximately $50,000 to $55,000  annually)                  

Location:                           3230 Third Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451

Days/Hours:                      Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm; Some evenings and weekends may be required

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) supports successful reentry from incarceration and promotes alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved over 58 years into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and criminal legal-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to reenter their communities and build productive lives .

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $100 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. Fortune is dedicated to supporting its mission through both services and advocacy . Our advocacy focuses on building a just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry . The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 18,000 people a year. We have locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Position Summary:

The Group Facilitator (GF) will lead and conduct training activities, including the Career Development Workshop, Social Services 101, and Customer Service and Sales training for participants under Fortune’s contract with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development’s Community Resources for Employment and Development (CRED) program, which is designed to provide pathways to employment and economic mobility for people who reside in communities where community violence is most prevalent and address the system feedback loop by offering job readiness, training for sustainable and emerging industries, and supported job placement for continued success, coupled with strong wraparound supports and follow up services tailored towards these communities.

Mission and Fit:

Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Feedback and Modeling:

The GF encourages and promotes a classroom environment in which all individual differences are valued, respected, and welcome. They promote helpful, behavioral specific feedback, both positive and corrective, to participants on performance and engagement. The GF will reinforce efforts and check on participant progress, as well as explain, demonstrate, and reinforce expected behaviors, knowledge, and skills.

Participant Centered:

The GF will focus on identifying key needs and support opportunities for participants. They have the ability to illustrate the highest level of customer care and empathy while thriving to resolve participant concerns and issues.

Collaboration:

The GF expresses disagreement constructively (e.g. by emphasizing points of agreement, suggesting alternatives that may be acceptable to the group). They also have an ability to work effectively with others to ensure participants receive necessary support to thrive in the work readiness workshop. The GF will need to collaborate with Case Managers to effectively support them in managing their case and ensure attention to coordination in care for other wrap-around services needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaboratively work with team and management to implement innovative and engaging interdisciplinary, interactive, and experiential learning activities in the in workshops, including job readiness skills and life skills related to the development and enhancement of pre-employment competencies;

• Assist participants in developing a Work Readiness Portfolio that includes a resume, sample application, cover letter, thank you letter, reference sheet (professional/personal), and a mock interview evaluation form;

• Conduct cognitive behavioral interventions as prescribed by cognitive behavioral curricula in adherence with the program model;

• Conduct activities to improve motivation and communication skills of job-seeking participants;

• Monitor, report, and document participants’ attendance, progress towards goals, and overall class performance;

• Engage in regular participant case conferences and planning meetings with staff;

• Implement systems for assisting participants in learning skills necessary for success in the workplace;

• Notify supervisor of participant-specific or program issues and problems regarding the soft skills training program or participant transition;

• Assist with orientation, screening, assessments, mock interviews, retention, client follow up, recruitment and job development activities;

• Collaboratively work with volunteers to support mock interviews;

• Maintain both physical and digital participant files; maintain cohort and individual fellow folders in SharePoint and CRM system, Caseworthy;

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

• Collaborate with internal departments as needed;

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

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

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, counseling, human services or education preferred;

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience training, counseling, providing workforce development services, or instruction;

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred;

• Experience with job readiness and/or cognitive behavioral curricula facilitation including Thinking for a Change, OWDS, ART (Aggression Replacement Training), or similar preferable;

• Experience with job readiness curricula facilitation to prepare participants for careers in social services and/or customer service and sales;

• Skilled communicator who can liaise interdepartmentally as well as with community partners and stakeholders;

• Ability to work a flexible schedule;

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Outlook and Office 365;

• Familiarity with the Fair Chance Act a plus;

• Ability to apply skills learned from prior work experience, or formal academic training in a related subject area, to the day-to-day project activities; and demonstrated success in being participant-centered, self-motivated with excellent relationship skills.

• Ability to work independently and on a team;

• Experience and/or desire to work with a diverse population. 

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 to Long Island City office, other Fortune offices, training sites, conferences and other relevant events.

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 origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.

Salary : $27 - $30