Case Manager

CJA operates a Supervised Release Program in Queens Criminal Court for defendants of all ages who are charged with felonies and misdemeanors, and who present a substantial likelihood of detention, but are at risk of failing to appear in court if released on recognizance.

The program, which operates during the day and night court, screens targeted defendants for release, subject to specific conditions including maintaining face-to-face and telephone contact with the program, participating in a screening protocol for substance abuse and mental health issues, and agreeing to program monitoring and reporting of non-compliance, re-arrests and scheduled court appearances.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Supervising Clinical Case Manager and under the direction of the Clinical Director, the Case Manager is a dynamic, knowledgeable, and experienced individual with a social service, psychology, or clinical background to help make an impact on the ever-changing role of the court system and alternative initiatives aimed at reducing detention and crime rates in the city. The Case Manager hired for this position will be working on a team that serves both youth and adult clients (ages 16 years and older). The Case Manager in this role will be responsible for building relationships with participants and their support systems. In building these relationships, the Case Manager will coach and connect people with resources to meet their unique needs, such as education and employment programs, career assessments, job readiness, and other opportunities aligned with their personal goals and interests.

The Case Manager’s functions include:

Client Needs Assessments:

• →Conducting the intake/assessment interview to identify participants’ immediate needs, including risk factors for recidivism.
• →Assessing for mental health and substance abuse problems, making outside referrals as appropriate.
• →Working with people to explore interests and create plans to take steps towards meeting goals.
• →Assessing for school and/or job readiness and connecting young participants to quality school and job programming, vocational trainings, technical skills classes or other certification programs, as well as peer support services, based on their personal interests and goals.
• →Verifying participant contact information and age-appropriate activities and responsibilities to assign to participants at a designated level of supervision.

Client Engagement:

• →Build relationships with program participants ages 16 years and older
• →Identify and collaborate with support systems, such as guardians and significant, in participant’s life.
• →Reviewing with participants the conditions of release, program agreement, and consents for disclosure
• →Maintaining face-to-face and telephone contact with participants, monitoring re-arrests, and preparing on-calendar and off-calendar reports for court.
• →Utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, including using the use of interactive journaling, in applicable sessions.
• →Run psychoeducational and supportive psychotherapeutic groups for participants ages 16-24 years old.
• →Motivating participants to engage in voluntary services.

Documentation and Reporting:

• →Updating computerized case management appointments accordingly to produce periodic reports on participant’s compliance.
• →Writing formal progress reports for each court date, in accordance with program requirements and quality standards; advocate for graduated sanctions for eligible clients.
• →Completing all necessary documentation and maintaining all data set reporting requirements in the program’s case management database

Teamwork and Relationship Building:

• →Maintaining professional communication with defense attorneys, Assistant District Attorneys, and referral agencies until transfer or completion of reporting responsibilities
• →Appearing and advocating in court regarding participants’ compliance as necessary
• →Participating in clinical supervision, case conference meetings, staff meetings, and on-service trainings; identify new opportunities for staff development.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or other related field
• 2 years of experience in case management; at least 1 of those years working with an adolescent population.
• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours, as operations expand.

• Knowledge of NYC Court Operations
• Familiarity with the Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) or other advocacy program models
• Working knowledge of treatment programs (substance abuse, mental health, etc.) and other support services (GED, job training, YIP, etc.) for referrals
• Ability to exercise sound and quick judgment
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Computer literate with the ability to quickly adapt to changing technology
• Bilingual skills preferred (Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, French-Creole, a plus). Those with other language skills are also encouraged to apply.
• Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) or Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor in Trainee (CASACT) encouraged to apply

Each employee at CJA is guided by these work values:

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention.
• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families.
• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention.

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.