Job Description

Job Location: Long Island City - Long Island City, NY 11101
Position Type: Full-Time Exempt
Salary Range: $85,000.00 - $85,000.00 Salary/yearTitle:                           Assistant Director of Community-Based Services
Unit:                           RISE (Transitional Services)
Reports to:                 Director of Jail-Based & Community Based Services
Status:                        Full-Time; Regular; Exempt
Salary Range:            $85,000
Location:                    Long Island City and New York City Jails
Days/Hours:               35 hours per week (9am-5pm with some evening when needed)
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:
The Assistant Director of Community Services provides leadership and operational oversight for the community-based reentry programming. Working in partnership with the Director of Jail-Based & Community Services, this position ensures the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed, and person-centered services that support successful community reintegration for individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. Under the supervision of the Director, Jail/Community-Based Services, the Assistant Director of Community Services provides guidance and supervision to the team of Transition Coordinators, Mentors and Housing Specialist and other staff based on “best practices.” The Assistant Director of Community Services helps to ensure the implementation of quality services to clients, the accurate collection and assessment of data and submission of quality reports and provides administrative support for the unit. The Assistant Director of Community Services will be responsible for the operations of both the community and jail responsibilities such as completion of intakes and assessments, housing applications and referrals, and other duties as assigned.
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.
Participant Centered: The Assistant Director of Community Services will prioritize the well-being and successful reintegration of incarcerated individuals into society. This includes oversight of the team who will actively engage with and support participants throughout their time in custody and upon release. The Assistant Director of Community Services will prioritize and foster a culture of respect, communication and mutual support to empower staff and incarcerated individuals.
Collaboration: The Assistant Director of Community Services should be comfortable collaborating with staff at all levels (senior staff, and peers) within RISE, Education and Employment Services, Department of Correction Personnel, Mayor’s office of Criminal Justice Personnel, and other internal and external department areas to understand complex problems and create solutions to reduce barriers to housing and other areas of concern. This individual will build and maintain positive relationships with external providers, engage in interagency cooperation and achieve shared goals and objectives. The Assistant Director of Community Services should be comfortable leading group conversations and facilitating meetings. The Assistant Director of Community Services should be able to prioritize effectively as new projects come up and communicate project progress routinely.
Leadership & People Management: The Assistant Director of Community Services will inspire and guide staff and participants, provide constructive feedback, and foster a strong professional culture. The Assistant Director of Community Services will effectively assign tasks, ensure clear ownership, and support accountability. The Assistant Director of Community Services will communicate clearly and empathetically, practicing active listening and building strong rapport. The Assistant Director of Community Services will handle disputes fairly, efficiently, and with professionalism.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Partner with the Director to oversee the daily operations of community and correctional facility-based programs, ensuring effective service delivery, contractual compliance, and achievement of organizational goals;
- Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional development to program staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and excellence;
- Serve as the Director's designee during their absence, providing operational oversight, decision-making, and staff support;
- Develop and implement strategies that improve program effectiveness, service quality, participant engagement, and operational efficiency;
- Monitor program performance and ensure adherence to agency policies, funder requirements, and Department of Correction (DOC) protocols;
- Coordinate staff schedules, coverage, meetings, trainings, and other operational activities to ensure seamless program operations;
- Assist with recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluations, corrective action, and staff development initiatives;
- Provide clinical oversight to staff managing complex participant needs, behavioral health concerns, and crisis situations, while connecting with them to follow up care with the social worker;
- Promote evidence-based, trauma-informed, and strength-based practices through coaching, case consultation, and ongoing staff development;
- Support staff in developing comprehensive discharge and transition plans that address housing, employment, education, behavioral health, transportation, benefits, and other wraparound services;
- Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation support for participants and staff while ensuring appropriate documentation and follow-up;
- Ensure services are culturally responsive, equitable, and aligned with best practices in reentry and community supervision;
- Serve as a primary liaison between Fortune, the NYC Department of Correction, community providers, and agencies within the Criminal Justice Reentry Network (CJRN);
- Strengthen collaborative relationships with correctional staff, community partners, healthcare providers, housing agencies, workforce development organizations, and behavioral health providers to improve participant outcomes;
- Collaborate with the Director to monitor program outcomes, evaluate service delivery, analyze performance data, and develop quality improvement initiatives;
- Assist in preparing reports, maintaining accurate documentation, and ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and accreditation requirements;
- Identify operational challenges and implement solutions that improve participant engagement, service coordination, and program outcomes;
- Approve staff timesheets, review schedules, monitor staffing coverage, and oversee administrative workflows;
- Ensure timely and accurate documentation, case records, data entry, and reporting within agency databases;
- Assist with budget monitoring, resource allocation, and operational planning, as assigned;
- Represent the department at internal meetings, community forums, and stakeholder meetings;
- Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals.

Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Human Services, Social Work, Public Administration, Psychology, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred;
- Equivalent combinations of education and relevant leadership experience will be considered;
- Minimum of three (3) years of progressive supervisory or management experience within human services, reentry, behavioral health, or criminal legal system programming;
- Demonstrated experience supervising multidisciplinary teams and managing community-based programs;
- Experience working in correctional settings and/or reentry services strongly preferred;
- Knowledge of discharge planning, care coordination, behavioral health, crisis intervention, and community resource navigation;
- Strong leadership, organizational, strategic planning, and operational management skills;
- Experience utilizing data to evaluate program performance and improve outcomes;
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, facilitation, and public speaking skills;
- Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, electronic databases, and reporting systems;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with government agencies, community partners, and internal stakeholders;
- Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency preferred;
- Ability to obtain and maintain NYC Department of Correction Volunteer Services Clearance;
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and serving individuals impacted by the criminal legal system;
- Ability to maintain professionalism, sound judgment, and composure in fast-paced and high-pressure environments.
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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.
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.