Court Representative (Day Shift)

About the role

The Queens Supervised Release Program (QSRP) is the first program launched by the City of New York’s Supervised Release Initiative in 2009 and serves as the model for citywide Supervised Release Programs. CJA operates QSRP in Queens Criminal Court seven days a week, including day and night court. The program serves individuals released at criminal court arraignments who are charged with felonies and misdemeanors, presenting a substantial likelihood of detention but at risk of failing to appear in court if released on recognizance.

QSRP provides pretrial supervision and voluntary social service referrals to community-based organizations offering services such as job training, employment, substance misuse treatment, and mental health counseling. Participants remain in the community and are monitored to ensure court attendance and avoid rearrest, with the goal of successful reconnection to their community.

Court Representatives are the first point of contact with CJA services, coordinating release with court partners, orienting newly released participants, and presenting program eligibility and obligations. The Night Shift QSRP Court Representative role is based at Queens Criminal Court during evening and weekend arraignment hours (Friday through Tuesday, 9AM to 5PM), serving as the primary CJA contact during night arraignments and providing critical support to participants immediately following arrest, detention, and arraignment.

Responsibilities

• Screen court calendars, court-related documents, and Office of Court Administration (OCA) databases to identify prospective clients, including high-risk/high-needs participants pending arraignment.
• Appear at night arraignments (including weekends and holidays) to provide Supervised Release program information, eligibility criteria, and obligations to courts, responding to on-the-record questions regarding rearrest and CJA pretrial release assessments.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with night-shift personnel, including defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, and court officers, to uphold CJA credibility.
• Collect and organize all court documents needed for case records.
• Orient new participants immediately following arraignment, ensuring they understand the conditions of their Supervised Release mandate, court conditions, and responsibilities through a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approach.
• Conduct comprehensive orientation intakes for newly released participants, flagging risk factors, immediate needs, and behavioral health concerns; provide crisis support as needed.
• Distribute metro cards and/or cell phones to clients as needed and maintain accurate documentation for these processes.
• Collaborate with CJA case management, Program Analyst, and daytime Court Representatives teams to ensure seamless transition and comprehensive participant information sharing.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation in database case records and court tracking systems, including participant demographics, contact information, court-imposed conditions, special circumstances, and next court proceeding information.
• Track program compliance for participants who have been rearrested via case managers and provide verbal compliance updates to the courts at arraignment, as requested.
• Appear during subsequent court dates to provide compliance updates to the Court and collect information regarding any updated conditions or mandates imposed post-arraignment.
• Participate in regular team meetings, supervision, and professional trainings identified by management.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Supervising Court Representatives and Senior Manager of Court Operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, required.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working within the criminal legal system, direct service delivery, or with those impacted by the legal system. Current CJA employees with at least 2 years of experience as a Pretrial Associate or Court Services Coordinator are encouraged to apply.
• Ability to obtain Office of Court Administration (OCA) Secure Pass for court access.
• Strong understanding of the criminal legal system, including its structure, procedures, and NYS bail reform statutes, with the ability to explain processes such as bail proceedings, court appearances, and orders of protection to justice-impacted individuals in a clear and accessible way.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed principles and ability to support individuals in acute distress.
• Experience working with individuals impacted by the legal system, who are unhoused, or have behavioral health needs.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
• Detail-oriented, thorough, and accurate in completion of all documentation.
• Computer proficiency in entering participant information into databases 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 available to work holidays, as the program operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Bilingual applicants (fluency in Spanish/English) are encouraged to apply.

Pay

$67,166

Schedule

Friday–Tuesday (Wednesday and Thursday off), 9AM to 5PM. This role is 100% in-person.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Comprehensive mental health and wellness, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Four weeks’ vacation and paid holidays.
• Retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Professional learning and development opportunities through partnerships, vendor services, in-house job training, and development.