Central Visiting Case Manager- Rikers

Job Description

Title: Central Visiting Case Manager

Reports to: Program Director, Hour Children

Location: Family Support at Central Visit, Benjamin Ward Central Visit Center (Rikers Island) & Community-Based Office

Status: Full-time

Work Schedule: Wednesday & Thursday: 12:00 PM ? 8:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 AM ? 3:00 PM
Friday: Community-Based Office

Salary: $65,000 per year

Job Summary

Hour Children is a mission-driven organization supporting formerly incarcerated women and their children in rebuilding safe, healthy, and independent lives. We offer a compassionate, anti-discriminatory, and inclusive environment rooted in values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are seeking a compassionate and experienced Case Manager to provide direct support to families visiting incarcerated loved ones at Rikers Island. This role is key in promoting positive parent-child engagement during visits and ensuring that families, especially children, receive the emotional, practical, and community-based support they need. This role is based primarily at the Benjamin Ward Central Visit Center (Rikers Island), four days per week, with one day dedicated to community-based case management work. The goal is to support incarcerated parents by helping their families navigate the challenges of incarceration with empathy, dignity, and culturally competent care.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Be present at Central Visits four days per week, conducting outreach to families in need of support, with a focus on those with children
• Provide therapeutic visit coaching and general guidance to family members as they wait to visit their incarcerated loved ones
• Address challenges and concerns that visitors experienced in previous visits; offer strategies for conflict resolution and improved engagement
• Conduct brief family strengths and needs assessments to identify support areas and refer families to relevant community resources
• Facilitate referrals to external agencies for assistance with financial support, benefits, employment, education, counseling, trauma services, and more
• Share information about available resources and workshops for incarcerated individuals within DOC facilities
• Use trauma-informed and motivational interviewing techniques to build trust, promote open communication, and support family growth and healing
• Schedule follow-up appointments at the community-based office for comprehensive needs assessments and continued support
• Conduct outreach and follow-up with family members via mail, phone, and email to encourage engagement in available services (e.g., trauma counseling, support groups, child therapy)
• Assist families with scheduling virtual visits as needed
• Collect and track service delivery data and family engagement metrics
• Collaborate with the Visit Facilitator, DOC uniformed staff, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth and respectful coordination of services
• Coordinate with the Family Visiting Assistance Program team to ensure coverage during scheduled absences or changes in staffing needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree in counseling, Social Work, Human Services, Social Sciences, or a related field with a minimum with three years? work experience in case management, social services, or related direct-service work with vulnerable populations .
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience in case management, social services, or related direct-service work with vulnerable populations
• Familiarity with issues impacting justice-involved families and children
• Strong understanding of parent-child relationships and family dynamics, particularly in the context of trauma, separation, and reunification
• Proficiency in trauma-informed and/or motivational interviewing or similar person-centered engagement techniques is a plus
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is strongly preferred but not required

Core Strengths and Attributes

• Demonstrated empathy and compassion for individuals impacted by the criminal-legal system
• Ability to build trust and communicate effectively with a diverse range of visitors and families in emotionally charged situations
• Lived experience with the criminal-legal system or a strong understanding of its impact on individuals and families is welcomed and valued
• Prior experience working with vulnerable populations, including those who have been incarcerated or otherwise affected by the criminal-legal system
• Strong judgment and ability to work independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to adjust to sudden changes or operational shifts without resistance
• Comfortable navigating the complexities of a jail environment, including engaging with uniformed staff and navigating facility protocols
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills; an ability to de-escalate conflict and advocate effectively
• Collaborative mindset; an ability to work closely with Visit Facilitators, Department of Corrections (DOC) staff, and other on-site team members
• Professionalism, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive information and interactions with care