Associate

About the Correctional Association of New York (CANY)

Mission: CANY provides independent oversight of prisons in New York State in order to promote greater transparency and accountability; to safeguard the human and civil rights of incarcerated people; to eliminate harmful practices and policies; and to decrease the use of incarceration in New York.

Vision: CANY envisions a future in which our criminal justice system uses an entirely different approach to responding to violence and social concerns. In this vision, prisons look nothing like they do today: far fewer people are held for much shorter sentences in transformed conditions that promote health, safety, and justice for incarcerated individuals, communities, and society at large.

About the Position

CANY is seeking to fill two Associate positions on the Monitoring and Reporting Team. Each Associate will support the administrative, programmatic, and operational aspects of the organization’s prison monitoring activities, in service of the organization’s efforts to provide effective independent oversight and advance key policy and reform issues. This role presents an exciting opportunity for an ambitious professional with prior experience in program management, stakeholder engagement, and/or direct services.

About the Team

The Monitoring and Reporting Team is responsible for planning and implementing monitoring visits across the state, authoring reports, and conducting research and analysis on key areas in corrections.

Job-related factors

• This position requires 3-5 days per month of travel, including overnight travel, within New York State.
• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the analyst must be able to meet the following physical demands: stand, walk, climb stairs, and take handwritten notes for extended periods of time.
• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the analyst must be able to receive clearance to enter a correctional facility following a background check by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Specific areas of responsibility will include:

• Supporting CANY’s day-to-day operations through the development and management of administrative systems, including planning and coordinating prison monitoring visits.
• Facilitating communication with volunteers before, during, and after monitoring visits to include recruiting, vetting, training, and orienting volunteers.
• Data entry and processing of surveys, monitoring observations, and other information collected by CANY staff.
• Managing systems for filing, storage, and inventory of all monitoring materials, while coordinating and ensuring all necessary supplies are available for monitoring visits and intake activities.
• Assisting with the creation and dissemination of findings from monitoring visits and surveys by assisting with writing briefing documents, fact sheets, data tabulations, post-visit briefs, and other outputs.
• Developing processes and procedures for responding to various communications from incarcerated persons and their family members or advocates.
• Preparing and tracking mailings in response to letters and other communication from incarcerated persons, their family members or advocates, and other stakeholders. Prepare internal and external referrals as needed to ensure complaints and other concerns are properly addressed.
• Answering “mainline” calls during assigned weeks and documenting issues raised.
• Configuring and maintaining Salesforce database of contacts and communications and supporting the quality assurance process to ensure data accuracy and integrity.
• Coordinating programmatic activities and providing administrative and supervision support for internship programs.
• Support the work of other staff and at times supervise one or more interns.
• Participate in prison monitoring visits and other organization-wide meetings, work sessions, retreats, trainings, etc.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications

CANY is seeking enthusiastic candidates comfortable working across a variety of functions as part of a small, collaborative, hard-working team. Individuals who possess the following skills, attributes, and qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Minimum educational requirement is a bachelor’s degree in public health, social science, criminology, psychology, public policy, or other relevant field.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills, strong interpersonal and oral communication and writing skills, and ability to multitask.
• Adaptable work style that allows for collaboration across teams and independent, self-directed work.
• Strong administrative skills, including confidence using Microsoft Office, project management tools, customer relationship management systems (e.g. Salesforce), and other relevant industry software.
• At least two years of prior professional work experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered, including previous experience living or working inside a correctional facility.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people in a variety of professional settings and situations.
• Ability to problem-solve, present innovative solutions, and think strategically.
• Excellent relationship management abilities and willingness to work collaboratively.
• Proven experience in handling and maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information and records.
• Fluency in Spanish and other languages is not a requirement, but a plus.
• New York State residency required.