Court Based Social Worker Supervisor - NYC Criminal Justice Agency

COURT BASED SOCIAL WORKER SUPERVISOR 

QUEENS SUPERVISED RELEASE PROGRAM

Posted: 9/24/24

ABOUT CJA 

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 100,000 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 270 employees, citywide. 

PROGRAM SUMMARY

CJA operates a Supervised Release Program in Queens Criminal Court for defendants 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. The program, which operates during the day and night court, screens targeted defendants for release, subject to specific conditions including maintaining face-to-face and telephone contact with the program, participating in a screening protocol for substance abuse and mental health issues, and agreeing to program monitoring and reporting of non-compliance, re-arrests and scheduled court appearances.

POSITION SUMMARY 

Reporting to the Associate Director of Clinical Services II (ACD II), and under the direction of the Executive Director for Supervised Release, the Court Based Social Worker Supervisor is a dynamic, knowledgeable, and experienced individual with a background in social work intervention and service delivery seeking to help make an impact on the court system and alternative initiatives aimed at reducing detention and crime rates in the city. The Court Based Social Worker Supervisor will oversee the delivery of clinical services and crisis interventions in court, conducted by a team of licensed social workers. The Court Based Social Worker team serves both youth and adult clients (ages 16 and up) who have enhanced needs such as mental health and substance use issues, developmental disabilities, housing instability, and who are at a high risk of failing to appear at their next court appearance. This role is based in the Queens Criminal Courthouse.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Court Based Social Worker Supervisor functions include:

• Lead the SRP Court Based Social Work (CBSW) team, in collaboration with the ACD II.
• Supervise the Court Based Social Worker Team
• Provide clinical and administrative supervision to the Court Based Social Work team weekly.
• Responsible for quality assurance of the Court Based Social Workers' work, including ensuring that documentation is completed and uploaded into Microsoft Dynamics (MSD)Be a leader in executing consistent and effective cross-team communication between both the Clinical and Court teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify opportunities to strengthen court based social work programming.
• Support policy and protocol implementation in collaboration with both the Clinical and Court Operations management staff.
• Function collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team of Court Based Social Workers, Court Representatives, Case Managers and Peers to enhance the effectiveness of the CBSW team in appropriately screening and advocating for participants with behavioral health needs.
• Draw upon an understanding of court procedures and work collaboratively with CBSW's, clients, attorneys, judges, and other court stakeholders. Provide crisis intervention and initial mediation of any conflict at a client level.
• Provide support to staff in navigating judicial and/or attorney questions and conversations related to the participant.
• Support management by assisting with training, supervision, and implementation of new policies and initiatives within the CBSW team.
• Provide updates on participants' compliance with supervised release conditions on record as required.
• Step in as needed to conduct routine CBSW duties including:
• Full, or mobile intakes for newly released clients
• Engagements with re-arrested individuals
• Circulate AP parts to deliver level reduction and graduated response requests
• Provide support as needed to ensure ICM intakes are completed
• Ensure that CBSW's are following policies and practices as written.
• Client Centered Management and Communication
• Communicating and coordinating with staff comprised of diverse identities, experiences, and professional disciplines in a respectful manner that acknowledges differences, expertise, and experiences to promote collaboration and better client outcomes.
• Communicating with clients of diverse populations, needs, and experiences in the legal system and other institutions, in a respectful manner that acknowledges lived experiences, trauma, and creates connection.
• Answering questions about our services in an informed and well-resourced way.
• Utilize clinical knowledge and expertise to ensure that clients are being supported in a trauma-informed way.
• Influencing and Motivating
• Ability to work intensively with clients using trauma-informed interventions to enhance engagement in the program.
• Supporting the client's self-efficacy by reinforcing their power to make the changes that they want.
• Clearly and concisely communicating with other members of the court and office-based teams to understand and support the needs and goals of the client and collaborate on appropriate next steps.

QUALIFICATIONS

• LCSW, LMSW or LMHC required with 2 years of related case management experience.
• 2 years of supervisory experience required.
• Experience working with diverse populations of clients and team members.
• Knowledge of NYC Court Operations preferred.

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
• Expert level engagement skills when working with a vulnerable population.
• Working knowledge of treatment programs (substance abuse, mental health, etc.) and other support services (GED, job training, YIP, etc.) for referrals
• Ability to exercise sound and quick judgment
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Computer literate with the ability to quickly adapt to changing technology
• Bilingual: Spanish (preferred)
• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours

Hours & Scheduling Expectations

This is a visible role with direct client-facing responsibilities engaging with clients, staff, and court stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess the required qualifications and skills, and the ability to work in-person 5 days a week.

• Typical hours are 1PM-9PM, on 4 weekdays and 1 weekend days (either Tuesday through Saturday or Sunday through Thursday schedule).
• Candidates must be willing and able to work beyond scheduled hours at times to meet the demands of the role. The position may occasionally require staying late or adjusting hours to accommodate urgent tasks and operational needs. The ideal candidate will be adaptable and open to working flexible hours to support the team and organizational values.

Salary: 93,292.62

Location: Queens 

*Internal Applicants must be in their current role for at least 1 year and in good standing (no disciplinary action within the last 90 days) to be eligible for this role. 

CJA VALUES  

Each employee at CJA is guided by these values in our work: 

• Commitment: 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. 
• Fairness: 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. 
• Innovation: 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. 

BENEFITS: CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness, Employee Assistance Program (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. 

Only those candidates being considered will be contacted. 

CJA is seeking applicants who pursue professional development pathways by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and engaging with professional associations.

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is an 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.