Court Advocate

Court Advocate

Queens County Court - Kew Gardens, NY 11415

Overview

Salary Range $27.48 - $27.48 Hourly Position Type Full-Time Non-Exempt

Description

Title: Court Advocate Unit: Court Advocacy Reports to: Queens Senior Court Advocate Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt Salary Range: $27.48 per hour (approximately $50,000 annually) Location: Queens Criminal Court, 125-01 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, NY, 11201 Days/Hours: Monday to Friday, 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:

The Court Advocate is responsible for working with court stakeholders to identify, assess, screen, and advocate for individuals to be placed in Fortune's Alternative to Detention (ATD) or Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programs; managing assigned referrals and cases from initial referral through screening, enrollment or placement, active court advocacy, and case completion or closure; coordinating with internal programs and external stakeholders; and providing timely, accurate reports to the court regarding clients' engagement and participation in programming.

Core Competencies

Mission and Fit:

The Court Advocate needs to match the mission and fit of Fortune, including, meeting a client there they are; 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 & 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;
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus;
• 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.

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:

Requires travel