Posted on October 17, 2012

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Community Re-entry Coordinator

Status: Non-Exempt
Report to: Site Directors
Hours: 40 hours per week, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., flexible hours depend on client needs, may require some evening and/or weekend work.

At-Will Employment:

You are free to terminate your employment with the Community Partnership for Families (CPF) at any time, with or without reason, and the CPF has the right to terminate your employment or the employment of others at any time, with or without reason. Although CPF may choose to terminate employment for cause, cause is not required. This is called "at will" employment. Most jobs at CPF are funded by variety of grants, programs, endowment sources. Continued employment is contingent upon receipt of those funds.

DESCRIPTION: The Community Re-entry Coordinator (CRC) is responsible for coordinating programming, services and supports for ex-offenders during transition or after release from custody in the assigned geographic service area, with the goal of promoting successful community re-entry and decreasing the likelihood of recidivism.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Initiate contact, establish rapport, and communicate effectively with ex-offenders referred to community case management by the correctional system.
• Develop a Community Re-entry Plan by working in collaboration with the ex-offender, family and partner organizations.
• The Re-entry Plan includes supporting the existing efforts of the correctional system by following up on referrals already made, as well as engaging the client in other community and family-oriented activities.
• Develop a team of informal service providers (neighbors, church leadership, and others) and formal providers to support ex-offenders in developing and implementing their Community Re-entry Plan.
• Work with the Activities Coordinator/Parent leader to organize new community supports and activities to promote positive peer relations, pro-social behavior and protective factors.
• Engage ex-offenders in these activities (at Family Resource Centers or other venues).
• Work with informal service providers (neighbors, church leadership, and others) to ensure the ex-offender/family have appropriate support.
• Scheduling/reminders to encourage client to follow through on appointments and referred activities/services.
• Conduct home visits and/or meet with participants at diverse and remote sites, including residential recovery environments and neighborhoods where crime and other risk factors tend to be high.
• Maintain accurate case files as directed in a timely manner and according to professional standards and funder’s timeline.
• Manage and direct Mentors who will also be working with ex-offenders.
• Participate in data collection and other evaluation processes and procedures as necessary.
• Participates in service integration related training, including cross-training.
• Other duties necessary to ensuring the successful integration of services and family strengthening efforts.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITY:

• Thorough understanding of challenges and barriers faced by ex-offenders struggling to succeed in the community after release (psychological, logistical, financial, legal, stigmatization, family-related, peer-related, etc.)
• Ability to work with ex-offenders and families from multiple ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to “be there” for ex-offenders: Carrying out all work and attending appointments as scheduled—and demonstrating reliability and responsibility through one’s own actions.
• Ability to conduct home visits and/or meet with participants at diverse and remote sites (includes recovery environments and neighborhoods with crime/drugs/violence).
• Ability to scan the area and avoid potential dangers when entering risky environments.
• Ability to learn the neighborhood-based Family Resource Center (FRC) approach to providing social connections, positive peer associations, and community supports.
• Ability to learn and incorporate the principles of family support and protective factors.
• Knowledge of community resources within local area.
• Involvement with grassroots organizations, resident organizations, and neighborhood groups.
• Ability to work with probation officers and personnel from other service providers, including developing case plans involving multiple organizations.
• Ability to manage and direct mentors who will also be working with ex-offender clients
• Strong personal organization and time management skills; Working under pressure.
• Ability to see possibilities and strengths, not obstacles or deficits.
• Ability to facilitate multi-dimensional team meetings.
• Ability to work cooperatively with the system “as is”, maintaining positive partner and system relations—while at the same time advocating for change in a collaborative, constructive and positive manner.
• Basic proficiency (or the ability to learn) basic word processing (e.g. MS Word).

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Bachelors Degree in criminal justice, social work or related area and minimum of three years working in a community based or non profit organization; OR 5+ years of experience working with ex-offenders or related populations (e.g. gang-affiliated) on objectives related to re-integration into productive community life.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be authorized to work in United States.
• Must provide own transportation and have a valid driver’s license and provide proof of insurance.
• Pass a background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIEMENTS:

• Sit for extended periods of time.
• Stand and walk for a long period of time, bend over, reach overhead, grasp, push, pull and move, lift and/or carry at least 30 pounds to waist height.
• Enter data into a computer terminal/typewriter, operate standard office equipment, and use a telephone
• See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids
• Hear and understand speed at normal levels and on the telephone.
• Employees in this position will be required to work indoors in a standard office environment, and come in to direct contact with CPF’s staff, other agencies and the public.
• Employees in this position will also be required to outreach to target neighborhoods and schools, and work outside of the office atmosphere.

DESIRABLE

Bilingual In one of the following languages: Spanish. Pashto. Urdu. Hmong. Vietnamese. Cambodian, or Laotian

COMPENSATION

CPF offers a competitive salary, retirement, leave and medical benefits package. Salary will be commensurate with experience. For the ideal candidate, we will consider flexible hours, some telecommuting and/or a part-time commitment.

CPF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application Instructions

Please submit all inquires, cover letters, and resumes to Qin Huang at qhuang@cpfsj.org. The deadline for submissions is 9:00am on October 26, 2012.