Associate Clinical Director - LCSW

QUEENS SUPERVISED RELEASE PROGRAM

CJA's work seeks to reduce jail overcrowding and unnecessary detention in New York City.

Join our team of multi-disciplined professionals!

 ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. CJA is the City’s main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof. CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 200,000 persons arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency’s internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City. CJA’s programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 250 employees, citywide.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Queens Supervised Release Program is the first program launched by the City of New York’s Supervised Release Initiative in 2009 and is the model for which Supervised Release Programs have evolved citywide. The program operates in Queens Criminal Court and serves individuals of all ages who are charged with felonies and misdemeanors, and who present a substantial likelihood of detention but are at risk of failing to appear in court if released on recognizance. It provides pretrial supervision and voluntary social service referrals to a wide array of community-based organizations which offer services including job training, employment, drug treatment, and mental health counseling. Participants remain in the community and are monitored to ensure court appearance with the goal of successful reconnection to their community. Clients are required to maintain face-to-face and/or telephone contact with a case manager, attend all court appearances, and avoid re-arrest. 

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a great opportunity for a dynamic, knowledgeable and experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a desire and demonstrated ability to supervise, support and lead a professional team of both experienced and entry-level case managers in providing the best possible care to their clients while adhering to a standard of quality for tracking client data and compliance.

CJA VALUES

It is expected that every CJA employee will embody our values of Commitment, Fairness and Innovation

• We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention. 
• We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families.
• We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Clinical Director will work alongside the Clinical Director to provide clinical direction to staff and ensure adherence to, intake and service provision protocols and will assist case managers in providing appropriate services to clients with a variety of complex mental health, social, educational and emotional needs. In doing so, he/she will be responsible for:

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with intake assessments, service referrals criteria, progress notes, agency policies and procedures for client services, or regulatory requirements for the provision of mental health services, as needed
• Supervision of case managers/social workers, peer specialists and court staff, including providing clinical supervision to eligible LMSW and LMHC staff as they work towards licensing hours.
• Regularly conduct case conferencing to address legal and ethical treatment, and service issues, with staff
• Assist the Clinical Director or Supervising Case Managers with annual performance reviews for the case management staff
• Screen and interview potential candidates for open positions in the program.
• Mentor and provide concrete, constructive feedback to case management staff

Programmatic Responsibilities:

• Establish a rapport with staff and clients alike to contribute to a safe, supportive and structured setting that encourages self-expression and personal growth
• Ensure that staff maintain timely, accurate, and appropriate clinical records
• Provide training and support to staff around goal setting, with the ultimate goal of reducing recidivism
• Effectively manage crises and oversee the daily delivery of care in order to ensure the appropriateness and effectiveness of mental health assessments and support participants’ safety and well-being.
• Identification of gaps in service delivery system and recommending improvements in processes or assessment tools
• Represent the agency at meetings, conferences and public forums as required
• Professional development, including monitoring and review of, service productivity, and case management outcomes
• Facilitation, development or identification of appropriate case management training to promote staff development and ensure case management staff have core competencies

Direct Practice Responsibilities:

• Provide case management and supportive counseling to a small caseload of clients
• Complete assessments and progress notes in the agency’s case management and scheduling database within a timely manner
• Provide intervention as necessary to address complex client issues and provide supportive counseling to clients
• Provide regular progress reports and non-compliance notifications to attorneys and the Court as per program reporting requirements
• Collaborate with external stakeholders such as hospitals, treatment facilities, shelters, attorneys, probation, parole, etc. to achieve positive client outcomes

QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (must have valid NYS Credentials)
• 2-3 years year of supervisory experience including the planning, scheduling, assigning, evaluating, training and directing the work of professional staff
• Must have at least three years of experience with mental illness or behavioral health, and co-occurring substance use disorders for high-risk clients involved in the criminal justice system
• Working knowledge of NYC Criminal Court Operations
• Bilingual Skills, a plus

The successful candidate will possess a combination of the following knowledge, skills, and experiences:

• Familiarity with the Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) or other advocacy program models
• Working knowledge of treatment programs (substance abuse, mental health) and other support services (GED, job training, YIP, etc.) for referrals
• Proven ability to exercise sound and quick judgment in a fast-paced and stressful environment
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of participants and staff
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Superb time management skills
• Computer literate with the ability to quickly adapt to changing technology
• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours

Note: Due to the nationwide pandemic CJA has implemented remote working for most staff until March 2021. While it is uncertain where NYC will be with respect to resuming direct client work at the time of hire, the successful hire must be willing to assume responsibilities that are both remote and on-site; this includes access to your own personal computer, laptop or tablet, and internet, until company devices can be issued.

SALARY: $85,000

BENEFITS:

CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health and wellness (EAP) plan, four weeks’ vacation, paid holidays and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions. CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: January 29, 2021 or until filled

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.