Senior Court Liaison

Pay

Compensation Range: $28/hr - $31.25/hr commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from; Housing Works covers most of the plan, with employee contribution based on salary.
• Up to 30 days of PTO earned in the first year, accruing immediately.
• Educational benefit for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and textbooks.

Overview

The Housing Works Inc. Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Program is a collaboration between Housing Works and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) to provide court‑mandated, risk‑need‑responsivity services to jail‑bound individuals 18 years of age and older who are involved in Manhattan criminal and supreme court systems.

The Senior Court Liaison leads activities related to Criminal and Supreme Court Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programs, handling both direct service and supervisory responsibilities to ensure effective implementation of court‑related initiatives. The role oversees and coordinates ATI efforts, works closely with court personnel and community partners, trains new Court Liaisons, provides onsite supervision, maintains an active caseload, conducts screenings and assessments, advocates for clients at progress hearings, and collaborates with multidisciplinary treatment teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders such as defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, community‑based organizations and court officials.
• Maintain a caseload of defendants entering and engaging in ATI activities.
• Meet monthly intake and assessment goals as established by supervisory staff.
• Review referrals and conduct screenings and assessments to determine needs and eligibility for ATI services.
• Share screening and assessment results with the multidisciplinary care team for service plan development and finalization.
• Provide initial diagnostic impressions, service plan recommendations, advocacy strategy and supervision requirements for ATI to court staff.
• Attend court hearings for individuals assigned to caseload.
• Assist the Program Manager with updating compliance reports and progress reports to the court.
• Train and assist with onboarding new ATI Court Liaisons.
• Provide onsite supervision to Court Liaisons.
• Complete daily, weekly and monthly reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Perform all other tasks assigned by supervisor.
• Work collaboratively with court staff, including court officers, defense attorneys, assistant district attorneys and judges to facilitate program admissions.
• Conduct outreach with court staff to familiarize all parties with program services and outcomes to support advocacy efforts.
• Present Housing Works ATI Program services to stakeholders and community‑based organizations.
• Provide culturally competent services in accordance with Housing Works policies and practices.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and trainings as scheduled.
• Respond promptly to emails, texts and phone calls.
• Actively participate in advocacy events and calls to action.
• Demonstrate Housing Works core values: All‑in, Stronger Together, Membership and High Performance in daily activities.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in social work, psychology, forensic mental health, criminal justice or related field.
• Experience: 2–4 years of relevant experience working in human services with individuals involved in the criminal legal system who have mental health, substance use, or behavioral health needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain court clearance (secure pass).
• Skilled in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral techniques and risk‑need‑responsivity interventions.
• Preferably bilingual in Spanish.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient technical skills for Microsoft Office, email and case management systems.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with the team.
• Dependability and reliability to arrive and depart timely for scheduled shift.
• Cultural sensitivity and trauma‑informed approach to care.
• Comfortable working within courts or secured DOC‑assigned areas.
• Prior experience in criminal justice, pre‑trial to post‑release services.
• Ability to travel frequently within boroughs via public transportation and work from transient office locations, including criminal and supreme courts and Housing Works clinic locations.
• Ability to lift 25–35 lb.