Community Engagement Specialist

Community Engagement Specialist

Supervised Release Service Center (Bronx) - Bronx, NY 10451

Salary Range $27.47 - $30.22 Hourly Position Type Full-Time Non-Exempt

Title:

Community Engagement Specialist

Unit:
Supervised Release Program

Reports to:

Community Engagement Specialist Supervisor

Status:
Full time;
Regular;
Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $27.47 - $30.22 per hour (Approximately $50,000-$55,000 annually)

Location:

502 East 163rd Street Bronx, NY 10451 (within all SRP Bronx location)

Days/

Hours:

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation's preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society.

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 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Position Summary:

Supervised Release offers an alternative to jail, providing pretrial supervision, case management, and voluntary social services to people charged with misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenses. Program participants are monitored to ensure their appearance at court dates, and they receive referrals to community-based programming. Under the Supervised Release Program (SRP), the Community Engagement Specialist (CES) will provide engagement of SRP participants, focusing primarily on clients who require additional supports to remain compliant with program mandates.

Engagement strategies may include warm hand-offs, arranging transportation or other services to facilitate access, text messages or phone calls outside of mandated check-ins, and coffee/snack purchases for clients to facilitate trust-building.

Core Competencies:

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.

Communication/Human Services

The CM must be able to communicate effectively, with internal and external program staff, and participants. The CM must be able to maintain communication with these entities to ensure their clients are being assisted in a timely and effective manner. Ability to manage a high level of multi-taskings, managing well under-pressure, ability to manage emotional response, capable of providing innovative resources, and strong ability to use de-escalation tactics while remaining motivational.

Time Management/Administrative Skills

The CM will receive many referrals, sometimes at one time, and must provide up to date and accurate information to the Court Advocates and CM Supervisors on their client's progress and participation. The CM must maintain communication with these internal staff as well as any parties overseeing voluntary services that their clients are enrolled in. Additionally, the CM will need to conduct client screenings, and field calls from active clients and internal and external program staff.

Prioritizing the above is imperative in being able to manage the work. The CM will need Efficient Typing Skills, Strong software skills – knowledge of Microsoft word, excel, SharePoint, office suite exc, attention to detail, writing – documenting clear and concise accurate case notes.

Problem Solving/ Knowledge of Court and Conduct

The CM has the unique…