Transition Coordinator

Title:                                   Transition Coordinator/Mentor

Unit:                                   Transitional Services (RISE)

Reports to:                         Community Operations Supervisor

Status:                                Full Time- Regular/Non-Exempt

Salary Range:                    $27.47 - $30.22 per hour  [Approximately $50,000 - $55,000 annually]

Location:                            New York City Correctional Facilities (NYC jails) and Long Island City, NY 11101

Days/Hours/Schedule:      35 hours per week (various shifts)

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities. 

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with just under $85 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our participant population mirrors the incarcerated population in being approximately 85% male and over 90% people of color. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Community Operations Supervisors, the Transition Coordinator (TC) will be responsible for supporting recently incarcerated individuals with their transition to the community from Rikers Island and NYS correctional facilities. The Transition Coordinator will manage a caseload, support with evaluating clients’ needs, and make necessary internal and external referrals for needed wrap around supports. The Transition Coordinator will also engage with the participants’ support systems and/or other providers to assist with ensuring a successful transition back into the community. The Transition Coordinator is responsible for conducting weekly visits to Rikers Island to meet with and complete transition plans with incarcerated individuals and provide program information sessions about re-entry services.

Mission, Culture and Fit

The TC must embody the values and mission of the Fortune Society. This includes meeting our participants where they are, demonstrating our values through compassion and understanding; and affirming that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.  

Participant Centered, Education & Advocacy  

The TC will focus on identifying key needs and housing support opportunities for participants. They have the ability to illustrate the highest level of customer care and empathy while thriving to resolve participant concerns and issues. They will also act as a liaison between Fortune and our community partners when creating referrals for individuals in need of support.

Collaboration

The TC should be comfortable collaborating with staff at all levels (senior staff and peers) within RISE, Education and Employment Services, and other department areas to understand complex problems and create solutions to support participants’ successful transition. The TC will be asked for input on department projects, so they should be comfortable contributing constructive feedback and be a team player in supporting the team in completing projects. The TC should be comfortable leading group conversations and facilitating meetings. The TC should be able to prioritize effectively as new projects come up and communicate project progress routinely.

Professional Etiquette & Adaptability

The TC will foster a positive and respectful work environment, making it easier to promote effective collaboration and communication. This includes being mindful and adapting their communication and behavior, accordingly, based on different situations. The TC will also be sure to be respectful of deadlines that are fundamental to meeting participant and program needs. This includes being respectful of others’ time.  The TC will utilize de-escalation skills to resolve conflicts in a calm and respectful manner at all times.
 

        Organization, Time Management & Attention to Detail

The TC must demonstrate competency to develop systems and processes to organize and keep track of information or work progress; is routinely conscientious, thorough, accurate and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; TCs handle multiple cases simultaneously, requiring strong organizational and time management skills to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage caseloads efficiently. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct transition plans with individuals currently incarcerated at Rikers Island and complete service plans with participants once they return to the community;
• Have a weekly presence on Rikers Island, at least twice per week, and assist with program informational sessions as needed;
• Provide referrals to necessary supportive services, internally and externally, providing ongoing, regular follow up with both participants and providers;
• Manage a caseload of up to 75 individuals, conduct consistent case management sessions and outreach by phone/text/email;
• Maintain proper documentation of participant case files and complete case notes in a timely manner;
• Prepare success story summaries of participants on your caseload as needed;
• Support and encourage the professional and personal development of the participants with the use of motivational interviewing skills when conducting case management interactions, in person and virtually;
• Establish standards that will ensure appropriate boundaries and behaviors;
• Issue incentives and maintain proper physical and electronic documentation of distribution;
• Ensure all participant data is entered within 24 hours of interaction with participant and regularly conduct review of your own work to ensure for accuracy of entries;
• Research and establish connections with external resources for participants, as needed, and support with maintaining contacts and document all referral interactions;
• Attend and assist with community events to promote and encourage engagement for participants and individuals interested in enrolling in program services;
• Maintain and monitor confidentiality of participant files;
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED certification, required
• Some college, preferred or the equivalent in professional experience (including participant facing work)
• Experience working with individuals with legal system involvement, preferred
• Experience with documentation, record keeping and data entry, required
• Motivational Interviewing and Interpersonal (Written and Oral) skills, strongly preferred
• Adequate computer software skills including use of Windows 10, Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive), required
• Ability to be flexible; days/hours are subject to change in accordance with program needs
• Must be highly motivated, willing to take initiative and work in a fast-paced environment with varying demands
• Have strong time management and organization skills; attention to detail
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from the Department of Corrections and work within the constraints of facility guidelines, including but not limited to lock downs, screening of personal items including food and clothing restrictions, which can be changed at the discretion of the Department of Correction;
• Bilingual in Spanish/English a plus

Travel Requirements:

• Required travel to and between NYC DOC facilities and Fortune Society offices.
• May be required to travel to other Fortune offices or stakeholder offices for meetings and/or training.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to travel corridors and walk up and down stairs, frequently.
• Ability to quickly remove self from immediate area in event of safety risk(s)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.