Program Assistant-WFDU

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - 56057

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities.

The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

The NYC DOC has a unique opportunity for a Program Assistant in the Division of Programs and Community Partnerships. The position involves working inside Rikers Island facilities to support the Executive Director of Programs and other Programs staff in facilitating and coordinating services for individuals in DOC’s care. The Program Assistant will perform administrative duties, coordinate program schedules and events, assist with special projects, and provide direct services to incarcerated individuals.

The primary duties of the position will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supporting the Executive Director of Programs and other Programs staff in coordinating programs for incarcerated individuals.
• Preparing and maintain weekly and monthly reports, clearance requests, meeting minutes, and records;
• Collaborating with uniformed staff, nonprofit partners, and DOC staff to facilitate programming in the assigned facility;
• Develop and maintain schedules for programming afforded at the command as well as those of external providers;
• Using motivation interviewing and other techniques to provide individual and group services to people in custody;
• Tracking program participation and preparing reports to document activities; entering data into a program database;
• Maintaining appropriate records relevant to programming and other services;
• Touring facilities to gain feedback from incarcerated individuals and staff;
• Assisting in the planning and coordination of events, focus groups, tours, visits, and meetings scheduled to strengthen services afforded to persons in custody as well as the daily operation of programming at the command level;
• Fostering positive relationships with DOC staff and community partners to coordinate programs and services;
• Performing clerical duties as assigned;
• Assisting with special projects and other duties as needed

• Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook etc.) proficiency.
• Experience in a high‑paced environment, with the ability to manage information and distribute appropriately.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships with multiple units and different levels of staff.
• Excellent writing, communication, inter‑personal, analytical, research, problem‑solving, and organizational skills;
• The candidate must be well‑organized, proactive, resourceful, flexible, and able to communicate with staff (at all levels) in a fast‑paced environment, meet deadlines, and perform with a high level of professionalism.
• Experience with Justice‑Involved or other high‑risk populations.
• Bilingual

Qualification Requirements

• 1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or
• 2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.