Job Description

Job Location: New York County Court - New York, NY 10013,

Position Type: Full Time,

Salary Range: $27.48 - $27.48 Hourly, Title: Court Advocate

Unit: Court Advocacy

Reports to: Director of Court Advocacy

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $27.48 per hour (approximately $50,000 annually)

Location: Manhattan Court, 100 Centre Street

Days/Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

Organization Overview

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 60 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 Manhattan Court Advocate will be responsible for working with court stakeholders to assess and screen and advocate for individuals to be placed in Fortune’s Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programs, and report to the court regarding clients’ participation in programming.

The Manhattan Court Advocate will split their time between court advocacy and managing a caseload of current clients and potential referrals.

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.

Communication & Stakeholder Relations

The Court Advocate must be able to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with defense attorneys, district attorneys, judges, other court stakeholders, internal program staff, and participants. The Court Advocate must understand the role of each stakeholder, adapt communication to the audience, provide timely, accurate, and proactive updates, handle difficult or sensitive conversations professionally, build collaborative relationships, and recognize when an issue requires supervisory escalation.

Organization, Time Management & Accountability

Court can be a fast-paced, unpredictable, and chaotic environment. Court Advocates are tasked with communicating with court parties; managing multiple in-person court appearances, sometimes occurring at the same time; conducting client screenings and assessments; fielding calls from active clients and internal and external program staff; participating in case conferences; maintaining required documentation; tracking court dates and deadlines; and completing timely follow-up. Strong organization, prioritization, follow-through, and accountability are imperative to managing a caseload and performing the work effectively.

Initiative & Case Ownership

Court Advocates are the doorway for many of our Fortune clients. It takes initiative and ownership to identify appropriate cases, follow assigned referrals through screening and placement, monitor cases through plea and programming, and remain engaged through completion, sentencing, or other disposition as applicable. While cases may be brought to the Court Advocate by the defense or district attorney, the Court Advocate must also proactively identify appropriate cases, approach attorneys and potential participants, determine next steps, problem-solve barriers, and follow through without repeated prompting. This takes confidence, drive, sound judgment, and accountability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Screen court calendars and court related documents to identify eligible candidates for Fortune’s ATI program;
• Liaise with defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, resource coordinators, and other court stakeholders;
• Interview prospective clients, both currently incarcerated and in the community;
• Advocate before the court for the release of clients to Fortune’s ATD/ATI programs;
• Present written and verbal reports to the court regarding clients’ enrollment, participation, progress, attendance, compliance concerns, and other relevant developments in ATD/ATI programming;
• Collaborate with Fortune’s counselors, case managers, clinical staff, housing, employment, treatment, and other relevant internal programs to coordinate services, address barriers, and assist clients in achieving short- and long-term goals;
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete documentation in Caseworthy and/or other designated systems regarding referrals, outreach, screenings and assessments, court appearances, stakeholder communications, client status, program participation, and case outcomes;
• Maintain current knowledge of Fortune’s ATD/ATI programs, eligibility criteria, enrollment processes, group schedules, and supportive services, and provide accurate, up-to-date information to external stakeholders;
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with defense attorneys, judges, prosecutors, resource coordinators, and other court stakeholders that engender confidence in Fortune and support appropriate referrals and effective problem-solving;
• Proactively monitor assigned referrals and cases, including upcoming court dates, outstanding issues, client status, and required follow-up, from initial referral through case disposition or closure;
• Conduct timely and documented outreach to prospective and active clients and referral sources and follow established procedures for unsuccessful outreach, case closure, and re-engagement;
• Provide proactive and timely updates to defense counsel, prosecutors, court personnel, and other appropriate stakeholders regarding screening, enrollment or placement, program participation, attendance or compliance concerns, and significant changes in client status;
• Identify and appropriately escalate urgent, complex, or unresolved client, program, or court-related issues to the Senior Court Advocate and/or supervisor;
• Coordinate case coverage and communicate critical case information when unavailable or when another team member must appear, respond, or follow up;
• Comply with confidentiality, privacy, documentation, and information-sharing requirements in internal and external communications;
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications: Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain and maintain required clearance and access to New York State court facilities, including an Office of Court Administration Secure Pass where applicable;
• High school diploma or GED/HSE required; MSW or LMSW, preferred
• Previous court advocacy experience preferred;
• Experience with electronic databases or case management systems and timely, accurate documentation of client and case information;
• Knowledge of the structure and procedures of the Criminal Justice System and its legalese required;
• Experience with ATD and ATI programs a plus;
• Strong oral and written communication skills required;
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a high-volume caseload, competing deadlines, multiple court appearances, and required follow-up;
• Strong follow-through, attention to detail, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams;
• Sound professional judgment and discretion, including the ability to identify issues that require supervisory consultation or escalation;
• Experience working with people impacted by the criminal legal system using a person-centered, non-judgmental approach preferred;
• Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.

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.