Reentry Specialist

Are you looking for a rewarding human-services position, helping women impacted by addiction and incarceration? Do you want to be part of a supportive team, working in an innovative criminal justice program? —Then one of our Reentry Specialist positions may be for you!

A woman’s experience in the criminal justice system comes with exceptional challenges, so we designed the Leaving Jail program using gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approaches known to be more effective with women, than traditional criminal justice methods. Our unique blend of supportive Pre- and Post-Release services caters to a woman’s individual needs, to help her establish a life of safety, independence, and success.

As one of our Lehigh Valley Reentry Specialists, you will take a strengths-based and team approach to helping women struggling with substance use in the Lehigh County or Northampton County Jails. You’ll start working with your clients while they’re still incarcerated by administering needs assessments, facilitating classes, providing one-on-one reentry planning, and helping connect them with substance use and other treatment providers. Once your clients are eligible for release, you will work to facilitate a supportive and collaborative transition back to the community, and spend up to 12 months providing case management, resource referrals, and the individualized advocacy they need to meet their recovery and reentry goals.

WHO you’ll be working for.

Pinebrook Family Answers is a large nonprofit and leader in providing behavioral health services throughout Northeast, PA. Our Forensic Services Department is very proud to bring together the best of Criminal Justice and Human-Service research, to offer compassionate services designed to work. You will not be just a person doing a job—you’ll be a valued team member making a true difference for women and their families.

WHAT you’ll do as a Reentry Specialist in the Leaving Jail Program:

• Complete a variety of essential trainings to prepare you for the role, including Trauma, Motivational Interviewing, Cultural Competency, Staying Quit ® and other addiction related trainings, Gender-Responsiveness, Seeking Safety®, and Case Management
• Complete intakes and risk/needs assessments to identify eligible program participants and their unique needs.
• Facilitate multiple evidence-based curricula in a classroom-like setting, including, prep for lessons, track attendance, report outcomes, and administer pre-and post-tests. Program classes address parenting, trauma and addiction, job readiness and financial independence, moral reasoning, and other reentry-related topics.
• Help clients develop individualized reentry plans including needs for substance use and mental health treatment, housing, education, employment, and much more.
• Provide your clients with supportive Case Management in the jail and in the community.
• Help establish supportive treatment teams for your clients, including certified recovery specialists, clients’ family members and/or children, Corrections Staff, Probation and Parole officers, and other community partners and case managers.
• Develop an active knowledge of available resources, and work to build and strengthen professional relationships with community providers.
• Maintain a minimum number of weekly contacts and face-to-face meetings with clients while they are incarcerated and within the community (number of contacts will vary by client need).
• Frequent travel to local jail and community resources within Lehigh and/or Northampton Counties, and occasional travel to Carbon County.
• Maintain case notes, client files, and help track program outcomes.
• Occasionally transport clients to essential appointments as appropriate.
• Attend individual and group supervision, Forensic Department meetings, county Reentry meetings, agency staff meetings, and other advocacy events.
• Understand and respond to the unique needs of the incarcerated population.
• Work collaboratively with the program manager and the rest of the Leaving Jail team to facilitate the program and best meet client needs.

WHY you will LOVE working with us.

• This is a rewarding position directly impacting the wellbeing of vulnerable women, their families, and the community
• We encourage staff wellness and a healthy Work/Life balance, so you can expect flexibility, supportive staff, manageable caseloads, agency mindfulness initiatives, and consistent and strengths-based supervision
• We have a generous benefits package: Health Insurance, 401(k) and matching, Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick Time, and Paid Wellness Days
• We care about your professional future, so we provide opportunities for advancement and unique experiences and training to build your professional repertoire.
• Pinebrook staff can be part of meaningful agency and systems change via the Trauma-Informed Care Committee (T.I.K.I.), our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Allyship Initiative (I.D.E.A.), and other advocacy events and fundraisers.

APPLYING IS EASY AS 1..2..3!

1. Before you apply, please make sure you understand the minimum requirements for this position:

• An Associates degree with 2 years of relevant experience from an accredited college or university in a human services or criminal justice related field, OR 5 years relevant experience.
• Must have a COVID-19 vaccination as required by the agency and other affiliated institutions.
• Working knowledge of the criminal justice system and related issues (addiction, trauma, mental health, etc.).
• Comfort working inside a correctional facility and directly with incarcerated individuals.
• Optimism, empathy, and sensitivity to cultural and other differences amongst colleagues and clients.

2. You can easily submit an (1) Application, (2) Resume, and (3) optional but encouraged Cover Letter or Statement of Interest.

3. Applicants may be asked to participate in phone interview(s), virtual interview(s), or in-person interview(s) as agreed upon by the applicant and the hiring manager. We do our best to accommodate your schedule.

THANK YOU for your interest in this position and we hope to hear from you soon!

*Pinebrook Family Answers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a proud supporter of the LGBTQIA community. The agency has a strong Non-Discrimination policy which can be found on our website.

Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $20