Title: Coordinator of Transitional Specialist

Unit: Drop-In Center

Reports to: Director

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Job Code: TBD

Location: Castle Gardens and NYC correctional facilities

Date Prepared: April 2018

 

Position Summary:

Responsible for coordinating a team of a transitional specialist and peer escorts to assist HIV+ clients in the transition from discharge from Riker’s Island to services at the Fortune Society or another social service agency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Assign newly referred clients to the Transitional Specialist;
  • Assign Peer Escorts as needed to follow up on client’s progress and escort clients to appointments;
  • Conduct intake processing and maintain a caseload;
  • Confirm /Update existing discharge plan, and/or develop new community re-integration plan;
  • Provide emergency basic needs (food vouchers, carfare, clothing, etc.);
  • Conduct individual counseling sessions utilizing humanistic, client empowerment approach;
  • Obtain verification of clients HIV status;
  • Provide AIDS/HIV information to clients;
  • Conduct daily follow-up during the first 72 hours of clients release from Rikers Island;
  • Maintain accurately documented client folders and schedules;
  • Identify, research, and evaluate outside client service resources;
  • Utilize and follow-up in house and outside referrals to client service resources;
  • Provide weekly report to Director;
  • Respond to callers needing information and referrals;
  • Represent Fortune Society with Rikers Island and Dept. of Correction staff
  • Represent Fortune at public speaking engagements; and
  • Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

Coordinates the case load of 4 staff members. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

 

Qualifications:

  • Ability to obtain correctional facility clearance and work within the constraints of facility guidelines which can include lock downs, screening of personal items including food and clothing restrictions, which can be changed at the discretion of the Department of Corrections;
    • Please note that previous charges of arson, sexual assault, murder or possessing contraband, currently being on probation or parole, or having had contact with the criminal justice system in the last 2 years will disqualify individuals from receiving correctional facility clearance; High school diploma or GED/HSE required, some college preferred;
  • Experience counseling HIV+ clients on connecting to available services. Experience dealing with the Department of Corrections and Department of Health and Mental Health;
  • Experience supervising a team of staff;
  • Well versed on community resources;
  • Strong computer skills – Microsoft Office and database entry;
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a 15 person passenger van;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills; and
  • Bi-lingual in English and Spanish a plus.

The Fortune Society encourages individuals to apply who have successfully made the transition from incarceration and/or substance abuse into a stable, productive lifestyle in the community.

Travel Requirements:

Travel to and from Castle Gardens and Rikers Island, as well as throughout the 5 boroughs, as needed.

Physical Demands:

  • Ability to drive a 15 person passenger van.
  • 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 accommodations may be made to enable intervals 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.