COURT ADVOCACY-Court Liaison Supervisor

Title:                           Court Liaison Supervisor
Unit:                         Court Advocacy
Reports to:              Director of Court Operations
Status:                     Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Position Summary:

Under the Supervised Release Program (SRP), the Court Liaison Supervisor (CLS) will supervise Court Liaisons and provide additional coverage for screening, intake, and orientations as needed for potential program participants at arraignments at the Bronx Criminal Courthouse. The CLS will liaise with defense attorneys and other court actors to ensure those eligible for SRP are mandated to the program rather than detained, and reporting to the court regarding clients’ participation in programming.

Mission, Culture and Fit

The CLS needs to match the mission and culture of Fortune, including, meeting a client there they are at; engaging participants with a non-judgmental, inclusive attitude; holding space for trauma associated with criminal justice involvement and incarceration; and helping them to believe in their power to change.

Time Management

Arraignment Court can be a fast paced, unpredictable, chaotic environment. CLS are tasked with communicating with court parties, supervising Court Liaisons and assisting when needed in client screenings, fielding calls from active clients and internal and external program staff and coordinating with Clinical Supervisors. Prioritizing the above is imperative in being able to manage the work and do it effectively.

Communication

The CLS must be able to communicate effectively with court parties, defense and district attorneys, judges, other court parties, and potential participants, and internal program staff, including their program counterpart, Clinical Supervisors. The CLS must understand the role of each of these stakeholders and how to communicate with all.

Initiative

CLS will need to lead the way for Court Liaisons to review and acquire cases, manage relationships with the court parties and assist in advocacy efforts. This requires confidence, drive and ambition.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide weekly supervision with Court Liaisons;
• Coordinate and attend case conferences with staff;
• Liaise with defense attorneys, prosecutors and judges;
• Assist in screening arraignment cases and relevant court related documents to identify eligible candidates for Fortune’s SRP program;
• Assist in interviewing prospective clients;
• Assist in advocacy before the court for the release of clients into Fortune’s SRP program;
• Review written and verbal reports to the court regarding client’s participation in SRP programming;
• Collaborate with Fortune’s Clinical Supervisors, and other staff, to assist clients in achieving goals;
• Record accurate information on all activities including court proceedings;
• Provide up to date information regarding Fortune’s SRP service to external stakeholders, as appropriate;
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with defense attorneys, judges, and prosecutors that engender confidence in Fortune; and
• Perform other duties as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly oversee Court Liaisons; carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and engaging employees; addressing employee relations and resolving problems.

Qualifications:

• Ability to get access to the courts through an Office of Court Administration Secure Pass;
• Bachelor’s Degree required;
• Experience with supervisory responsibilities;
• Previous court advocacy experience preferred;
• Experience with databases for entering client information;
• Knowledge of the structure and procedures of the Criminal Justice System and its legalese required;
• Experience with SRP, ATD and ATI programs a plus;
• Strong oral and written communications skills required;
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus; and
• 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: May require travel to community-based sites.

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.