About

• FLSA Status:  Exempt

• Division/Department: Alternative Sentencing

• Reports to: Managing Director, Chief, and Assistant Chief

• Direct Reports: N/A

• Job Summary

• Through collaboration with criminal justice partners, the Alternative Sentencing Unit creates, improves, and expands reentry programs as alternatives to mass incarceration. The Unit’s attorneys represent clients at county and state parole or probation violation hearings before judges and before the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. The Social Services Re-entry Advocate will work closely with attorneys to assist with re-entry planning for incarcerated clients. The role will complete a needs-based assessment for incarcerated clients, gather pertinent mitigation information, as well as develop pre- and post-release plans to ensure success upon reintegration into the community and help reduce recidivism. The position will also be responsible for working with the staff of the Bridge Home Project, which is a re-entry initiative housed within the Defender Association. The Social Services Re-entry Advocate should be able to combine a focus on social work and client-based services with a skillset that involves understanding the criminal justice system to ensure long-term goal-setting and problem-solving for our clients. This position will interface with all members of the unit, including attorneys, clients, private counsel, probation officers, social workers, judges, and other criminal justice partners and service providers. Must be able to communicate effectively with clients and their families, as well as various criminal justice partners and service providers.

• Major Areas of Responsibility

• * Assist attorney and social work staff to identify clients who will benefit from comprehensive re-entry planning and connection to service providers.
• * Review and collect all relevant documentation in preparation of parole planning documents
• * Compose parole plans with the assistance of clients, social work and administrative staff and attorneys
• * Arrange post-release services and conduct follow-up with clients upon release
• * Contact and interview clients, when applicable, both pre-release and post-release
• * Answer calls and questions from clients on supervision, family members, and service providers 
• * Communicate with clients through different platforms: letters, phone calls, video conferencing, in person, etc.
• * Update client files and input information pertaining to hearings into client management system
• * Assist with other department duties as needed  
• * Document outcomes to assist with data collection efforts
• * Set up and manage program systems; work collaboratively to address hurdles and make changes to improve client services and program outcomes.

Qualifications

• * MSW, LSW, Certified Peer Specialist or any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience
• * Minimum two years’ experience working with clients in criminal justice proceedings and/or experience with high-risk/high-needs populations preferred
• * Knowledge of criminal justice, mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and other related populations 

 Required Skills/Abilities

• * Proficiency and/or familiarity with motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral approaches, and a strengths-based focus therapy is highly desired 
• * Ability to engage effectively with both participants and colleagues through verbal and written communication 
• * Skilled in writing and maintaining computer-based participant records in an accurate and timely manner
• * Good interpersonal, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• * Organized with attention to detail.
• * Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with attorneys, clients, office and court personnel, oftentimes under considerable pressure
• * Proficient in Google Drive, Microsoft Office Suite or similar software and computer literacy including the ability to learn multiple internal and external computer systems 
• * Must be able to multi-task
• * Work independently and use independent judgment when needed

Physical Requirements

• * Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• * Ability to lift up to 15 pounds
• * Travel to various City courtrooms, prisons and community placements

• Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions. It does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.