Reentry Case Manager Jobs in Merrick, NY (NOW HIRING)

Title: Queens County Reentry Taskforce Case Manager

Unit: Court Advocacy 

Reports to: Queens County Reentry Taskforce Coordinator

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary: $24.73 to $30.22 (approximately $45,000 - $55,000 annually)

Location: Long Island City, NY

Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Some evening hours will be necessary depending on program needs.

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:

The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) funds the County Re-entry Task Force (CRTF) initiative to provide re-entry services to individuals released from prison and supervised by the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). CRTFs prioritize individuals assessed as moderate to high risk of recidivism and help them to address their stabilization and criminogenic needs to support successful re-entry and reintegration into the community. CRTFs collaborate with DOCCS and community service providers and focus on stabilization needs, service coordination and the provision of evidence-based cognitive behavioral interventions and/or employment readiness programs. Under the Queens County Reentry Taskforce (QCRTF), the Case Manager will be responsible for conducting screenings, assessments, and providing counseling sessions; developing treatment plans; making referrals internally and externally; facilitating Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) groups; and monitoring and reporting to QCRTF stakeholders on client progress.

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.

Attention to Detail

The Case Manager 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 job tasks; and recognizes trends, detects inconsistencies, and determines essential details.

Collaboration

The Case Manager must collaborate and coordinate with QCRTF staff and stakeholders to provide support to participants in need of more intensive services. Additionally, the Case Manager must collaborate with external service providers where individuals are receiving services to ensure coordinated care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct intake interviews and needs assessments for clients;

• Perform general Counseling/Case Management duties, including holding weekly individual sessions with clients, making referrals to community-based resources, and developing client  schedules, and client centered treatment plans;

• Assist clients in identifying and prioritizing needs;

• Provide referrals to ensure all participants’ concrete needs are addressed;

• Provide crisis intervention when needed in collaboration with supervisor;

• Facilitate CBI groups;

• Ensure accurate and timely data entry of all client information into the agency’s database;

• Provide accurate and timely data and information to be included in QCRTF reports;

• Monitor participants attendance and compliance with mandate requirements;

• Advocate for individual client services;

• Lead case conferences for optimum collaboration among internal programs and external agencies;

• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations;

• Develop and maintain relationships with all QCRTF stakeholders including parole, the District Attorney’s Office and others.

• Attend and participate in all necessary QCRTF meetings, conferences, and trainings;

• Conduct weekly chart audits;

• Engage in his/her own ongoing professional development; and

• Additional responsibilities as required.  

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED/HSE required; Bachelor’s degree or higher desired;
• Experience and commitment to working with criminal justice involved mandated participants;
• Strong Microsoft Office and database entry skills;
• Strong assessment and engagement skills;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus;
• Strong organizational and leadership skills; 

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:  Will require travel to Queens Parole office (Jamaica, NY) on a weekly basis.  Will require occasional travel to other correctional settings and client appointments if additional support is needed.

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 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, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.