Engagement Specialist

About the role

The Staten Island Justice Center (SIJC) seeks an Engagement Specialist for the Transformative Reentry Initiative (TRI). This role provides wraparound services focused on restorative practices, employment/educational support, mentorship, and social-emotional support to participants pre- and post-release. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Engagement Specialist co-creates individual support plans, conducts home visits, attends appointments or community events with participants, maintains regular communication, meets with participants in casual settings to build trust, hosts circles of support, and helps determine appropriate workforce development programming for each participant.

Responsibilities

• Engage in one-on-one relationships with mentees and their families, including scheduling and facilitating individual mentorship meetings several times per week
• Develop, facilitate, and coordinate group programming including workshops, restorative justice circles of support, community benefit projects, and group outings
• Co-create and oversee all elements of individual support plans for mentees, including scheduling and participating in meetings related to mentees' well-being, family team meetings, and work with participants to fulfill goals and make necessary connections identified in their individual support plan
• Meet participants at discharge from DOC and DOCCS facilities, if needed
• Provide referrals related to appropriate workforce and employment programs, pro-social and civic engagement as needed, and assist participants with navigating various social services
• Utilize online databases to track participant activities and outcomes
• Act as a community liaison for the Staten Island Justice Center by developing and maintaining thriving relationships with community partners and attending community meetings and events which may take place in evenings and on weekends
• Operate company vehicle in the community for community outreach and immediate client engagement and drive participants to referred services when needed
• Provide coverage and support for other TRI programming, as needed
• Participate in staff meetings and staff development activities at SIJC, as required
• Perform other duties as necessary to support the Staten Island Justice Center and department activities
• Perform other relevant program duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma and 3–5 years of experience working with formerly incarcerated individuals and/or lived experience
• Valid driver's license required
• Strong knowledge of reentry, the justice system, Staten Island community resources and support services, and/or restorative justice practices
• Ability to think creatively and critically about helping people overcome barriers to reentry and community engagement; seek direction and advice when necessary and make independent decisions when possible
• Sound judgment, a trauma-informed and non-judgemental "harm reduction" approach, excellent communication, willingness to continue learning from and with SIJC colleagues, and strong organizational and multitasking abilities
• Strong ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work
• Experience with person-centered practices and language
• Ability to demonstrate cultural humility and competence in working with diverse participants
• Ability to show discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established program guidelines
• Exemplary interpersonal skills, excellent customer service, and a welcoming approach to feedback
• Computer literacy and ability to learn new software preferred
• Ability to work with people from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds and provide crisis management as needed
• Comfort with technology and video platforms such as Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet

Pay & Schedule

• Position Type: Full-time, Monday–Friday 9:00am–5:00pm, with weekend and evening work as needed
• Location: Staten Island, NY
• Compensation: $28.57–$33.96 per hour (annually equivalent to $52,000–$61,800 based on a 35-hour work week), commensurate with experience

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare with a national network
• Free basic dental coverage
• Vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA
• Mental health services including Talkspace and Ginger through healthcare plans
• 403(b) retirement plan with two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%