PSP Court Advocate

Job Details: Job Location: Bronx Court - Bronx, NY, Position Type: Part-Time Non-Exempt, Salary Range: $27.48 - $27.48Hourly, Title: Parole Services Program (PSP) Court Advocate

Unit: Court Advocacy

Reports to: Director of Outreach

Status: Temporary;  Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $27.48 per hour

Location: Bronx and Brooklyn Courthouses

Days/Hours: TBA

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 over $90 million in annual budget with approximately 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 18,000 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:

Responsible for working in Parole Services Program (PSP). Will primarily work in the Bronx and Brooklyn Courthouses to assess, screen and advocate for individuals incarcerated on a violation of parole to be revoked and restored back to parole and attend programming at Fortune Society.

Core Competencies:

Mission and Fit:

Embodies Fortune’s mission and fit, 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.

Attention to Detail:

The Court Advocate must demonstrate competency to develop systems and processes to organize and keep track of information or work progress; is routinely conscientious, thorough, accurate and reliable when performing and completing tasks; and recognizes trends, detects inconsistencies, and determines essential details.

Collaboration:

The Court Advocate must collaborate and coordinate with external partners, including DOCCS, Revocation Unit and Administrative Judges to provide support to participants in need of more intensive services. Additionally, the Court Advocate must collaborate with Fortune’s counselors, case managers, and other staff to encourage and assist clients in achieving productive long-term and short-term goals and ensure coordinated care.

Technical and Analytical Skills:

The Court Advocate must be able to write efficient queries to extract and manipulate large data sets; Build dashboards and visual reports to stakeholders. Understands data modeling concepts and database structures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Screen violation paperwork and court related documents to identify eligible candidates for Fortune’s Parole Services Program (PSP)
Liaise with defense attorneys, parole specialists and administrative law judges for parole restoration of their clients
Interview with prospective clients, currently incarcerated on Riker’s Island or in the community
Advocate at parole hearings for the release of clients to Fortune’s programming
Present written and verbal advocacy at parole hearings regarding client’s eligibility to participate in Fortune’s programming
Collaborate with Fortune’s counselors, case managers, and other staff to encourage and assist clients in achieving productive long-term and short-term goals
Record accurate information on all parole proceedings related to clients’ parole matters
Provide information to all parties regarding Fortune’s services
Establish collaborative relationships with defense attorneys, administrative law judges, and parole specialists;
Perform other duties as neede

Qualifications: Qualifications:

Ability to get access to Bronx and Brooklyn Courthouses through Department of Corrections & Community Supervision (DOCCS) clearance;
High school diploma or GED/HSE required;
Previous court advocacy experience preferred;
Experience with databases for entering client information;
Knowledge of the structure and procedures of the Criminal Justice and Community Supervision system and its legalese required;
Experience with ATD and ATI programs a plus;
Strong oral and written communications skills required;
Bilingual in Spanish a plus.

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:

Requires travel to Bronx and Brooklyn Courthouses, and to our Long Island City, Bronx and Harlem offices.

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 accommodation 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.