Peer Mentor, Client Services Division

IPNO frees innocent people sentenced to life in prison and those serving unjust sentences. We recognize the root causes of wrongful convictions and unjust sentences as systemic racism and inequities. We work to expose and address these root causes by sharing our clients’ stories in court, the legislature, the community, and the media. We support our clients living well and fully in the world after their release.

About Innocence Project New Orleans

Founded in 2001, IPNO has freed or exonerated 47 innocent individuals and, through our Unjust Punishment Project, freed a further 29 people who received life or near-life sentences for non-violent crime. IPNO developed and teaches the first Wrongful Conviction Clinic at LSU Law School, built and is continually expanding the Louisiana Law Enforcement Accountability Database (https://llead.co/) to promote transparency and accountability of police, and advocates for law and policy changes to make our criminal legal system fairer and more just.

Our Client Services Division provides long-term re-entry support to all freed clients. This support includes intensive case-management to assist with public benefits, housing, employment, healthcare, mental healthcare, financial literacy, and digital literacy. We also strive to build a robust peer community of clients and former clients through our monthly community gatherings and our collaborative legislative advocacy.

About the Position

The Peer Mentor has survived long-term incarceration and is motivated and personally equipped to use their lived experience and insights to provide social, emotional, and practical support and guidance to current and former IPNO clients.

The Peer Mentor will be a key member of the Client Services team, and should expect to actively work with 10-15 clients. They will report to and collaborate closely with our Client Services Supervisor, who is a Social Worker, to provide peer mentorship and case management services to all assigned clients.

The Peer Mentor will also work to build connection and community among all current and former IPNO clients by coordinating and facilitating our monthly community gatherings. They will broadly serve as a resource, guide, and advocate for our community of clients and former clients.

IPNO’s physical office is located in Mid City, New Orleans. This position will require travel, as many of our clients live outside of New Orleans; IPNO has two shared office cars which the Peer Mentor may use to help clients get to appointments and conduct longer trips to check in on clients living outside of New Orleans.

Finally, we understand that working in the criminal justice field as a person with lived experience of incarceration presents its own set of challenges. While this job description offers a basic description of the role we have in mind, we are committed to making the Peer Mentor role flexible and individualized to the particular strengths of the right candidate.

Primary Responsibilities (but are not limited to)

• • Provide one-on-one mentorship and case management to 10-15 freed clients. Case management activities will vary widely depending on the client, but may include:
  • Helping clients access benefits, healthcare, gainful employment, and stable housing.
  • Transporting clients to appointments and court dates and acting as an advocate in those settings.
  • Conducting wellness checks and home visits with freed clients throughout the state of Louisiana.
  • Conducting wellness checks with incarcerated clients.
  • Helping clients identify personal and professional goals and collaboratively creating realistic step-by-step plans to achieve those goals.
  • Providing ongoing guidance on building relationships, maintaining mental health, navigating conflict, and integrating into a community.
  • Collaborate with the Client Services team to identify and facilitate opportunities to grow community, build connection, and empower leadership among all IPNO clients and former clients.
  • Coordinate and lead group meetings and activities, including our monthly community gathering.
  • Participate in trainings to enhance your knowledge and skillset in support of clients.
  • Carefully and consistently document all interactions with clients.
  • Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards in all client interactions.

IPNO is a small nonprofit organization so, in addition to their primary duties, the Peer Mentor will be expected to assist as necessary with other aspects of IPNO’s work such as public education and advocacy, policy efforts, office administration and operations, and events. IPNO is a client-focused office where teamwork and collaboration to ensure IPNO’s overall effectiveness and success are expected and valued.

Requirements for the Role

• • Lived experience with long-term incarceration.
  • An understanding of issues bearing on criminal justice, social justice, racial justice, and wrongful convictions and, most importantly, the desire to learn more.
  • Strong listening and communication skills.
  • Creative problem-solving skills.
  • Desire to lead with kindness and willingness to recognize that some challenging behaviors might be defense mechanisms or responses to trauma.
  • Genuine interest in helping clients succeed.
  • Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and commitment to keeping case, client and other work-related information confidential.
  • Ability and willingness to work with a wide range of individuals with different life experiences.
  • Computer literacy and demonstrated ability to learn and apply common office software.
  • Good writing skills and the ability to electronically write formal memos, case notes, and re-entry plans.
  • Able to work evenings and weekends when needed.
  • Valid, current driver’s license.

Helpful But Not Required

• • Reliable transportation (organizational vehicle provided for work-related travel when possible).

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $42,000 to $71,000. Salary will be commensurate with relevant experience. IPNO offers a very competitive benefits package, including employer paid medical/vision/dental coverage, 30 days of paid vacation, and 401k match (1%). We observe federal holidays and the office is closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

How to Apply

The position will be open until filled. Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, and 3 references, to openings@ip-no.org. Please include a salary demand in your cover letter. Please include the job title in the e-mail subject line. Do not call.

IPNO is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse work force reflective of the diverse communities we serve and support, with regard to race, culture, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, and caregiver status. IPNO works to advance racial justice and equity. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and legal system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.