Unit: Court Advocacy
Reports to: Senior Director of Court Advocacy Services
Status: Full-Time; Regular; Exempt
Salary: $85,000
Location: Bronx Criminal Court
Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with alternative nights (once a month) 5pm-1am
Date Prepared: June 24th, 2024
Position Summary:
Under the Supervised Release Program (SRP), the Director of Court Operations (Director) will have direct oversight over the Court Operations Unit, including all court-related operations as well as direct supervision and guidance of all Supervisors of Court Operations and Court Advocate team. The Director will maintain and develop relationships with court stakeholders. The Director will work alongside the Program Director, Director of Administration and Director of Data and Compliance and other internal and external parties, to ensure all programming is provided in a timely and effective manner. The Director will supervise, evaluate and support the development of staff within the Court Operations Unit, including maintaining regularly scheduled supervision sessions and overseeing day to day job performance, ensuring program goals are met.
Mission, Culture and Fit
The Director needs to match the mission and culture of Fortune, including, meeting a client there they are at; engaging participants with a non-judgmental, inclusive attitude; holding space for trauma associated with criminal justice involvement and incarceration; and helping them to believe in their power to change.
Communication
The Director must be able to communicate effectively with external stakeholders, including, defense and district attorneys, judges, other court parties, and internal program staff. The Director must understand the role of each of these stakeholders and how to communicate with all.
Time Management
Arraignment Court can be a fast paced, unpredictable, chaotic environment. The Director is tasked with communicating with court parties, overseeing client screenings, fielding calls from court stakeholders and internal program staff and coordinating with Director of Program Operations. Prioritizing the above is imperative in being able to manage the work and do it effectively.
Professionalism
The Director must portray a steadfast, responsible, organized demeanor in their interactions with court parties, in order to maintain good relations. The front face of this initiative to the Courts will be the Director and it will require that they embody finesse, confidence, drive and ambition.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
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Develop and maintain relationships with court stakeholders;
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Ensure all services rendered are documented in data management system as required by the agency and by funding sources;
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Ensure timely and accurate internal reporting, including playing an active role in development and implementation of new reports as needed to assess program effectiveness and achievement of desired outcomes;
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Plan, develop, conduct and/or arrange in-service training to maintain and improve staff competencies and optimal service delivery;
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Develop and implement corrective action plans as needed;
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Clearly communicate unit and agency priorities and ensure that priorities set are carried out;
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Assess, recommend, develop and implement accountability systems and best practice strategies to ensure compliance with programmatic requirements while producing maximum client outcomes;
- Provide both formal and informal staff assessment, and recommend hiring, firing, promotional and disciplinary decisions concerning staff members to the Senior Director of Court Advocacy Services;
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Render client assessments; conduct psych-social interviews and write narratives as needed;
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Provide short-term crisis intervention as needed and make appropriate referrals for appropriate services;
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Chair case conferences and other programmatic services as directed;
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Participate as an active member of the data review to ensure targets are met;
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Ensure timely processes and documentation for admissions and discharges;
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Able to work some nights on an alternating schedule;
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Develop, monitor and conduct quality improvement to ensure program goals/objectives are achieved; and
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Perform other related duties as needed.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly oversee Court Operations Unit; carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and engaging employees; addressing employee relations and resolving problems.
Qualifications:
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Master’s degree preferred, preferably in social work, public health, human services, criminal justice, sociology or related field;
- Three or more years preferred of full-time management experience, in the field of substance use, mental health and/or criminal justice with clientele similar to that served by the program(s) and with experience supervising counselors/social workers;
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One year minimum of supervisory experience;
- Computer literate; advanced skills such as Excel and database applications are a plus;
- Team-oriented, anticipatory self-starter working style; a strong work ethic, and the ability to think strategically required; and
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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: May require travel to community-based sites.
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.