About Us:

The Women’s Prison Association (WPA) is a New York City based not-for-profit that prioritizes trauma informed care to support vulnerable women and their children navigating incarceration and homelessness, providing them stability, security, support, and hope that opens the door to their limitless future. Our mission is to support systems involved women as they navigate their journey towards freedom, safety, and independence, and we strive to create a diverse team that delivers outstanding services.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. We recruit, employ, train, and promote regardless of systems involvement, race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic, or any other protected status. Faithful to our mission, all our employees share in these commitments as a guide to engage one another with dignity and respect.

Position Description:

The Advocate Coordinator is responsible for providing ongoing case management services for participants enrolled in WPA programs. Furthermore, the Advocate Coordinator will support administration, outreach, and direct client engagement for the Law Project. WPA works with participants to enhance stability and overall well-being by addressing specific needs that may have contributed to criminal system involvement. The Advocate Coordinator will have an assigned caseload and will be responsible for the successful case planning and coordination for program participants. The Advocate Coordinator must be resourceful, organized, computer-savvy and be knowledgeable of the systems that impact low-income families and often observed stressors related to substance use, mental illness, domestic violence, and incarceration. The role requires written and verbal communication skills with both residents and colleagues on staff.

Advocate Coordinator Responsibilities (Case Management, 70%):

• Conduct screening and intake assessment within designated timeframes and monitor the case for the duration of the program.
• Provide trauma-responsive case management services, collaborating with participants to develop service plans based on assessed needs and participant interests.
• Complete all pertinent program documents within designated timeframes.
• Refers participant to in-house and external provider programs for medical care, mental health, and family counseling services, drug treatment/relapse prevention, employment, and vocational or remedial education, and any additional needed assistance.
• Conduct community and home visits as needed.
• Attend participant scheduled court dates.
• Prepare court letters within designated program timeframes.
• Accompany participants to HRA, medical appointments, housing appointments, and any other field support that they may request.
• Support participant engagement in services, including referral to and follow-up with external providers in areas including but not limited to health & mental health, substance use treatment, parenting support, and educational programming.
• Maintain casework contact frequency appropriate to participants’ needs and consistent with WPA’s expectations of individualized, trauma-responsive case management.
• Document all activities with, and on behalf of, enrolled participants in WPA’s electronic database as directed.
• Provide continuous feedback to the team during regular supervision and staff meetings.
• Transport clients using WPA vehicle as needed.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Advocate Coordinator Responsibilities (Law Project, 30%):

• Provide administrative support for Law Project program.
  Intercept referrals and perform brief intakes for Law Project clients.
• Spreadsheet and Database entry, and maintenance
  Establishing and maintaining relationships with crucial stakeholders throughout NYC to create a catalog of resources and support networks for WPA clients.
• Growing WPAs presence within the courts and among social justice practitioners in the field
• Provide gender-responsive and trauma-informed legal administrative support and referrals to WPA client-participants and systems-impacted women in the community.
• Provide technical support and legal coordination among WPA colleagues and external court-based partners.
• Provide education and outreach to community-based service providers and their client-participants with justice system involvement.
• Maintain client records in a secure, confidential manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS/BSW preferred; comparable work experience will be considered.
• Spanish or other bilingual proficiency preferred.
• At least 2 years of documented relevant social services experience.
• Familiarity with available affordable housing options in NYC including housing vouchers/subsidies (e.g. HRA2010e, NYCHA, CityFHEPS, Section 8, etc.).
• Knowledge of public entitlement programs and systems required.
  Must have strong written and verbal skills.
• Must have substantial knowledge of public and not-for-profit legal and social service resources in New York City and the metropolitan area
• Must be organized, detail oriented, solution oriented, and able to work well both in collaboration with others and independently.
• Must have commitment to protecting attorney-client privilege and to maintaining the highest ethical standards of the legal profession.
• Excellent conflict resolution abilities to promote organizational productivity and culture.
• Good interpersonal skills to perform within a purposeful client and team culture.
• Strong computer skills required.
• Experience with reporting and reporting software.
• Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Excellent written and verbal skills. Legal writing skills strongly preferred.
• Must have professional maturity and maintain confidentiality around all client records.
• Commitment to providing high caliber, supportive, non-judgmental legal assistance to clients of diverse backgrounds.
• Must appreciate the racial, gender, and socioeconomic dynamics of underserved communities, with a particular familiarity with issues facing systems-involved women.
• Familiarity with and sensitivity to the impact that carceral systems have on women, families and communities.
• Must believe in WPA’s mission, with a passion to serve underserved populations.

Compensation:

Compensation for this role is $35.71 an hour, non-exempt, based on a 35 hour a week work schedule. WPA offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, employer paid dental insurance, generous paid time off along with 11 paid holidays, including paid holiday week between Christmas & New Year’s Day, 403(b) and paid leave, as well as:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Credit Union Membership Options
• Direct Deposit Money Paycard
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tax Deferred Commuting Benefits
• 529 College Savings Plan
• “Alcott HR Marketplace” Employee Discount Program
• “Aspiring Professionals” Scholarship Program

WPA strongly values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. WPA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, religious or political affiliation or any other classification considered discriminatory under applicable law. Individuals with criminal justice involvement are strongly encouraged to apply.

For background information about the Women’s Prison Association (WPA), see our website at www.wpaonline.org.

Please email your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to jobs@wpaonline.org. You must include "Advocate Coordinator, JusticeHome" in the subject line of your email.