Outreach Worker

Title : Outreach Worker


Unit : Court Advocacy


Reports to : Director of Community Outreach


Status : Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary Range : $24.73 to $27.48 ($45,000 to $50,000 Annually)


Location : Long Island City

Days/Hours : 9am to 5pm


This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

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:

Responsible for successfully conducting outreach (including disseminating outreach materials) at a variety of community-based and government agencies throughout the five boroughs.

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 Outreach Worker 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 Outreach Worker must collaborate and coordinate with Fortune staff and stakeholders to provide support to participants in need of more intensive services. Additionally, the Outreach Worker must collaborate with external partners (NYSDOCCS/Parole, Department of Probation) in linking referrals to wraparound services at the Fortune Society

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Present on Fortune's wrap-around services at a variety of community-based and government agencies and at forums including health fairs, community events, farmer's markets, etc.;
• Handout printed materials to individuals and groups at presentations;
• Liaise with referral sources, promoting Fortune services;
• Accept and engage with new client referrals;
• Connect incoming clients with Fortune's wrap-around services, including linkages to benefits such as SNAP;
• Follow a weekly field schedule and provide daily and accurate reports of areas covered;
• Find/research outside organizations to network within order to schedule presentations;
• Able to work effectively both independently and collaboratively;
• Must be team player and work colleagues to address programmatic challenges as they arise
• Maintain electronic and hard copy filing system
• Attend and participate in scheduled staff activities, meetings and trainings
• Engage in his/her own ongoing professional development.
• Perform other duties or tasks as assigned .

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; some college preferred;
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus;
• Clear and concise communication skills, verbal and written;
• Basic computer skills, text messaging, e-mailing and internet navigation; and
• Strong Time Management Skills
• Strong Microsoft Office and database entry 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:

Travel as required (with printed material) to conduct outreach throughout the five boroughs and working out of our main office in Long Island City.

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.