Court Advocate - Night Shift

Title: Court Advocate (Night Shift)

Unit: Court Advocacy – Supervised Release Program

Reports to: Supervisor, Court Operations (Night)

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $30.22 to 36.82 per hour (approximately $55,000 - $67,000 annually)

Location: Bronx Criminal Court

Days/Hours: Monday to Friday with alternate weekends, 5:00pm to 1:00am, 6:00pm 2:00am

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 nations 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:

Under the Supervised Release Program (SRP), the Court Advocate (CA) will be responsible for identifying and screening potential program participants at arraignments in the Bronx Criminal Courthouse. The CA will liaise with defense attorneys, prosecutors, and other court actors to ensure those eligible for SRP are mandated to the program rather than detained. The CA will present on the court record to judges, primarily at arraignments, and occasionally when reporting to the court regarding clients participation in programming. The night shift CA will be responsible shifts between 4pm-2am schedule to be present for night court in the Bronx. Arraignment court operates 365 days a year including holidays.

Core Competencies:

Mission and Fit : Embodies Fortunes 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 Fortunes core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Human Services/Client Services: Ability to manage a high level of multitasking, managing well under pressure, ability to manage emotional response, capable of providing innovative resources, and strong ability to use de-escalation tactics while remaining motivational.

Knowledge/Court Conduct: Comprehension of pretrial services, court-based compliance measures, and proper reporting and documentation procedures. Fortune programming and proper court conduct and etiquette.

Administrative: Efficient typing skills, strong software skills- knowledge of Microsoft word, excel, SharePoint, office suite, etc., Internal Skills – Active listening, articulate clearly and professionally- (verbal and written communication), attention to detail, writing – documenting clear and concise case notes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Court Screening and Advocacy

- Review court calendars, case information, and relevant records to identify individuals who may be eligible for Fortunes Supervised Release Program.

- Interview prospective participants, determine program eligibility, and advocate for appropriate admissions into Supervised Release.

- Appear in night arraignment parts, including weekends and holidays as scheduled, to provide programming information and respond to court-related questions.

- Provide accurate verbal and written updates regarding participants enrollment, engagement, compliance, and re-arrest status, as requested.

Participant Engagement and Support

- Explain Supervised Release requirements and orient newly mandated participants to their court conditions, program responsibilities, and initial reporting instructions.

- Engage participants using a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered approach.

- Identify and communicate immediate needs, safety concerns, behavioral health concerns, or other circumstances requiring additional support or follow-up.

- Provide crisis support, de-escalation, and referrals in accordance with agency procedures.

Documentation and Coordination

- Collect and maintain required court and enrollment documents.

- Complete timely, accurate, and thorough documentation in all required databases, court-tracking systems, calendars, and shift reports.

- Collaborate with case management, clinical, court advocacy, and supervisory staff to support a smooth transition from arraignment to community-based supervision.

- Communicate court outcomes, urgent concerns, outstanding tasks, and follow-up needs to the appropriate staff.

Court and Professional Relationships

- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, court officers, and other court stakeholders.

- Represent Fortune professionally while maintaining participant confidentiality, appropriate boundaries, and confidence in the Supervised Release Program.

- Follow agency policies, court procedures, contractual requirements, and supervisory directives.

General Responsibilities

- Maintain reliable attendance and flexibility to support night, weekend, holiday, and changing courtroom coverage needs.

- Participate in supervision, staff meetings, training, case reviews, and quality-assurance activities.

- Meet established expectations for productivity, timeliness, documentation, and quality of work.

- Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Ability to get access to the courts through an Office of Court Administration Secure Pass;

High school diploma or GED/HSE required; bachelors degree preferred;

Previous court advocacy experience preferred;

Experience working within the criminal legal system or human services;

Experience with databases for entering client information;

Knowledge of the structure and procedures of the Criminal Justice System and its legalese required;

Experience with SRP, ATD and ATI programs a plus;

Strong oral and written communications skills required;

Bilingual English/Spanish a plus

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: 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.