Intake Specialist, Supervised Release Program

The Center for Court Innovation is a non-profit organization that works to create a more effective and humane justice system by performing original research and helping launch reforms by guiding justice innovators, nationally and internationally. The Center creates operating projects that have been documented to reduce the use of jail and prison, assist victims of crime, and strengthen communities.

The Staten Island Justice Center (Justice Center; SIJC) offers an array of programming for both youth and adults in Staten Island, focusing on engaging those with current or past justice involvement. The Justice Center provides judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys with alternative community sentencing options that hold individuals accountable in a way that is meaningful, proportionate, and restorative. The goal is to provide participants with individual and group services that help them to avoid future contact with the justice system and promote swift case resolutions that bolster public confidence in justice.

The Staten Island Justice Center is seeking an Intake Specialist for the Supervised Release Program. Supervised Release offers an alternative to jail, providing pre-trial supervision, case management, and voluntary social services to people charged with misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenses. Program participants are monitored to ensure their appearance at court dates and they receive referrals to community-based programming such as job training, drug treatment, and mental health counseling. Following recent legislative changes in New York State that curtail the use of cash bail and pre-trial detention, the Center is anticipating dramatic growth in the population served through Supervised Release, offering Intake Specialists and other staff the opportunity to contribute to an exciting program at an unprecedented scale. As part of this expansion, the Supervised Release Program will provide services to a growing youth population and take on bail-eligible felony and misdemeanor charges, including violent felony offenses. 

Reporting to the Associate Director of Pre-Trial Services, Supervised Release Program, the Intake Specialist will provide intake and scheduling services for an array of court-based programs, including alternative to incarceration programming, providing services both pre- and post-plea for people charged with misdemeanors and/or felonies. The Intake Specialist will be primarily responsible for assisting with daily intake and assessment operations at the program offices.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct intakes and needs-based screenings for newly mandated participants;
• Explain program requirements and expectations to participants;
• Assist with scheduling and rescheduling mandated participants for intakes and a variety of onsite and off-site services;
• Provide voluntary referral information for participants;
• Manage the flow of referrals to in-house interventions and programming sites;
• Ensure program participants are scheduled properly;
• Maintain appropriate paper files;
• Assist the Clinical Director, Senior Social Worker, and/or Court Operations team with data entry;
• Ensure accuracy of information input into electronic client database, including attendance lists from classes and community service sites;
• Assist with court coverage, as needed;
• Attend project events, community events, and meetings after hours, as needed;
• Greet participants and other visitors in the reception area, as needed;
• Attend all staff meetings and trainings as scheduled;
• Assist with other programming and administrative tasks, as necessary;
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed. 

Qualifications:  The ideal candidate will have a minimum of an Associate’s degree or 3 years of experience working in a criminal court setting and/or human service field. Candidate must be highly organized with an ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment. Willingness and interest in engaging individuals (youth and adult) with mental health and substance abuse needs is required. Candidates experienced in Motivational Interviewing a plus. Candidates must have the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally-responsive manner. Candidates must also be comfortable working with adolescents, adults, and families. Professional demeanor is a must as well as the ability to communicate appropriately with building stakeholders. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication, and writing skills required.

Position Type: Full-time, able to work nights or weekends.