Court Representative - NYC Criminal Justice Agency

COURT REPRESENTATIVE

QUEENS SUPERVISED RELEASE PROGRAM

POSTED: 8/27/24 

CJA's work seeks to reduce jail overcrowding and unnecessary detention in New York City.

Join our team of multi-disciplined professionals!

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY

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.

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PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Queens Supervised Release Program is the first program launched by the City of New York's Supervised Release Initiative in 2009 and is the model for which Supervised Release Programs have evolved citywide. The program operates seven days a week, during both the day and night, in Queens Criminal Court and serves individuals 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. It provides pretrial supervision and voluntary social service referrals to a wide array of community-based organizations which offer services including job training, employment, drug treatment, and mental health counseling. Participants remain in the community and are monitored to ensure court appearance with the goal of successful reconnection to their community. Clients are required to maintain face-to-face and/or telephone contact with a case manager, attend all court appearances, and avoid re-arrest. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Court Representatives of the Queens Supervised Release Program are stationed in Queens Criminal Court to orient new clients released under supervision, coordinate a client's release with court partners, present program eligibility and obligations to clients and court partners, as well as represent the program during arraignment proceedings and post-arraignment appearances.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviewing court calendars and Office of Court Administration (OCA) databases to identify prospective clients pending arraignment.
• Interviewing clients to explain program responsibilities and obtain and verify additional contact information.
• Presenting program eligibility and obligations to the court and responding to questions regarding the pre-trial release assessment report produced by CJA on the record as required.
• Cultivating relationships with all relevant court personnel and/or other stakeholders.
• Distributing metro-cards and/or cell phones to clients as needed and maintaining accurate documentation for these processes.
• Providing the Case Manager with all required participant and case information, including court-imposed conditions, special circumstances, contacts and next court date and part information, to then initiate a case management file for the released participant.
• Tracking rearrested client's location status using court databases, obtaining compliance summaries from case managers, and updating Supervised Release staff with the rearrest docket arraignment outcome.
• Collects and fills out screening forms with all the relevant information for successful and unsuccessful instances.
• Appear during subsequent court dates to provide compliance updates to the Court and collect information regarding any updated conditions or mandates imposed post-arraignment
• Tracking potential Intensive Case Management (ICM) clients before their arraignment and referring clients to ICM case managers.
• Determine bail eligibility according to recent legislative changes to NYS bail laws.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree with relevant court or advocacy experience is required. Current CJA employees with at least 2 years of experience as a Pretrial Associate or Court Services Coordinator are encouraged to apply
• Familiarity with Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) or other advocacy program models
• Familiarity with recent 2020 NYS bail reform statutes
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated excellence in time management
• WiFi technology required
• Computer proficiency with the ability to quickly adapt to changing technology
• Ability to effectively navigate and use Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Outlook
• Proficient in the use of video technology to virtually appear in court as needed
• Must be detailed-oriented, thorough and accurate in the completion of paperwork
• Willingness to work evening, weekend, and holiday hours required. The program operates 7 days per week, 365 days a year.
• Bilingual applicants (fluency in Spanish/English) encouraged to apply

SALARY:  $64,565.59

The shifts is as follows:

Wed-Sun 9am-5pm

Thurs-Mon 5pm-1am (night differential will apply $4,519.59)

Note: This role is 100% in person

*Internal applicants must be 1 year in their current roles and in good standing (no disciplinary action within the last 90 days) to apply.

WHY CJA?

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 based on 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.