Community Engagement Specialist

Position Details

Title:

Community Engagement Specialist
Unit:
Supervised Release Program

Location:

502 East 163rd Street, Bronx, NY 10451 (Supervised Release Service Center, Bronx)

Reports to:

Community Engagement Specialist Supervisor
Position Type:
Full‑Time Non‑Exempt
Salary Range: $27.47 – $30.22 per hour (approximately $50,000 – $55,000 annually)
Days/

Hours:

Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Supervised Release Program offers an alternative to jail by providing pretrial supervision, case management, and voluntary social services to people charged with misdemeanor and non‑violent felony offenses. As a Community Engagement Specialist (CES), you will engage SRP participants, especially those needing additional supports to remain compliant with program mandates. Engagement strategies may include warm hand‑offs, arranging transportation or services, text messages or phone calls outside of mandated check‑ins, and small gestures such as coffee or snack purchases to build trust.

• Mission and Fit: Embodies Fortune’s mission and values; demonstrates compassion and understanding for participants throughout their re‑entry process.
• Communication / Human Services: Communicates effectively with internal and external staff and participants, manages multitasking, remains calm under pressure, provides innovative resources, and uses de‑escalation tactics while remaining motivational.
• Time Management / Administrative
  
  Skills:
  
  Handles multiple referrals simultaneously, maintains up‑to‑date accurate documentation, coordinates with court advocates and supervisors, conducts client screenings, fields calls, and utilizes Microsoft Office and SharePoint.
• Problem Solving / Court Knowledge: Acts as main point of contact, solves problems promptly, comprehends pretrial services, court compliance, reporting, and proper court conduct.

• Community navigation and advocacy to increase access to services and other support systems.
• Work closely with case management and social work teams to identify community barriers to returning to court or maintaining a supervision schedule.
• Maintain partnerships with community‑based organizations that provide voluntary services to participants.
• Complete all necessary documentation and input data into the case management database in a timely manner.
• Provide escorts to participants for court appearances and service providers (e.g., substance use, mental health, GED, job training, benefits, etc.).
• Facilitate psycho educational and skills development group sessions.
• Peer mentoring, role modeling, and assistance in developing coping skills.
• Educate participants on and support them in accessing voluntary services.
• Assist with reentry from the criminal justice system.
• Attend and participate in all necessary SRP meetings, conferences, and trainings.
• Engage in ongoing professional development.
• Provide mentoring services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Preferably fully certified Peer Specialist or willing to train as one; some lived experience advantageous.
• High school diploma or equivalency preferred.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
• Flexible schedule availability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong commitment to the mission of re‑entry and criminal justice reform.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 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, predicated genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.