Job Description

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: 

New York’s Arraignment, Criminal, Supreme and Family Courts provide avenues for individuals arrested in New York City to enter into CASES’ bail supervision and alternative to incarceration (ATI) programs. Defendants are instructed by the Courts to enroll in a CASES program and in doing so, to comply with community supervision requirements such as engagement in education and employment services, case management participation, and engagement in behavioral health treatment services. CASES’ Clinical Court Liaisons work as part Court Operations team between the Courts and CASES’ community programs. The Clinical Court Liaison will be assigned to the Arraignment Team, which also covers the Criminal and supreme court Parts. This team member will contribute clinical experience and knowledge to the Court Team, to assist in appropriately screening and advocating for participants with behavioral health needs. The Clinical Court Liaison works with defendants, attorneys, judges and other Court stakeholders to facilitate suitable admissions into CASES’ programs, advocate on behalf of participants and report participants’ progress back to the Court. The Clinical Court Liaison also collaborates closely with community program colleagues to ensure Court mandates are translated into programming. The Clinical Court Liaison will need to draw on their thorough understanding of Court procedures, manage relationships with various Court stakeholders, and master an in depth understanding of CASES’ programs, especially eligibility criteria, to achieve these goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain excellent professional relationships with Judges, District Attorneys, defense counsel, Probation, and other Court partners to facilitate program admissions and maintain CASES’ credibility in Court;

• Review referrals to determine a person’s eligibility for CASES’ programs, including arrest case information, RAP sheet, attorney recommendations, and preliminary information about participant needs;

• Engage potential participants and their legal representation in and around the Courtroom;

• Undertake clinical screening interviews with potential participants to explain CASES’ program(s) and administer and score standardized mental health, drug use, and other screening instruments to identify needs and suitability for CASES’ programs;

• Ensure participants are matched to the appropriate CASES program based on assessed needs and eligibility;

• Effectively manage crises to ensure participants safety and well being

• Achieve monthly intake and other performance targets;

• Accompany participants to all Court appearances and advocate to judges, verbally and through written Court reports, for participants to be enrolled or maintained in CASES’ services;

• Complete all necessary intake paperwork, including entering participant information into the appropriate databases;

• Ensure participants understand the conditions of their release or plea agreement and expectations regarding participation in CASES program;

• Collaborate with CASES colleagues in the community, who are providing services, to ensure the Court’s community supervision conditions are being met;

• Provide timely notification to the Court when participants are not in compliance, have gone missing (absconded), failed to report as required, been rearrested;

• Collect and track information on participants’ intake and re-arrest cases, as well as warrants;

• Provide culturally-competent oversight, supervision, and management in accordance with CASES policies and the delivery of excellent Court services to address the needs of youth, young adults, adults, individuals with behavioral health needs, and the race and ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and criminal justice history of defendants and program participants;

• Mentor less experienced colleagues in the intricacies of Court procedures, and CASES programs, especially eligibility criteria;

• Remain flexible with their work schedule to ensure court personnel coverage is consistently maintained; will provide coverage for shifts when needed.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by Supervisors.

Qualifications

 Master’s degree in clinical field (social work, substance abuse, mental health) 

• NYS licensure

• Highly articulate, resourceful, and professional – able to stand up in court and present detailed information

• Proven ability to function effectively in a high paced and stressful environment

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of participants and staff

• Interest in, and sensitivity to, issues facing justice-involved individuals

• Ability to quickly gather and evaluate the accuracy of information and use good judgement 

• Ability to formulate persuasive arguments for eligible defendants to be placed in CASES programs

• Excellent analytical and written skills 

• Ability to work autonomously

• Ability to mentor and provide concrete, constructive feedback to others; management experience a plus

• Bi-lingual candidates strongly preferred

Additional Information

SALARY:         Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience

                     Full-time 35-hour week with excellent benefits

BENEFITS:      Here at CASES we offer benefits that will assist you in making the most of your career and your life. Our programs include health and wellness insurance which is offered through Aetna. A retirement 403(b) plan is held with Principal, education, and training. Additionally, our portable ancillary benefits are offered through Aflac, Legal Shield, and ADP Flexible spending account; which is then deducted through payroll along with commuter benefits, additional short-term disability, cancer, additional income protection, hospitalization coverage, and identity theft protection.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

IN ONE DOCUMENT, attach your cover letter and resume in PDF or Word format. No phone calls please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

CASES is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with CASES is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position, without regard to race, color, ethnic or national origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status. We also actively recruit individuals with prior involvement in the criminal justice system.