Group Facilitator, Pathways 5 presso FORTUNE SOCIETY INC

Description

Title:                          Group Facilitator (Pathway Home 5)

Unit:                           Education & Employment Services              

Reports to:                 Operations Supervisor                       

Status:                        Full Time; Regular, Non-Exempt

Salary Range:            $32.97 - $35.71 per hour [Approximately $60,000 to $65,000]                 

Location:                    NYS DOCCS and NYC DOC Facilities; LIC Office 

Days/Hours:               Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Some evenings and weekends may be required

Organization Overview:

Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Operations Supervisor, the Group Facilitator (GF) will be responsible for conducting evidence-based workforce-readiness workshops, assessing the work readiness skills of participants, providing administrative support regarding enrollments and client follow-up. The Group Facilitator will administer these workshops in both NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and NYC Department of Correction facilities, as well as in the community at our main office location. Group Facilitators will also assist with conducting individual assessments to complete service plans to support with transition to community

Core Competencies:

Mission and Fit: Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Feedback and Modeling: The candidate encourages and promotes a classroom environment whether in person or virtual where individual differences are valued, respected and welcomed. They provide helpful, behavior-specific feedback, both positive and corrective, to participants regarding performance and engagement. The candidate reinforces effort and monitors participant’s progress. They explain, demonstrate, and reinforce expective behaviors, knowledge and skills.

Participant centered: The candidate focuses on opportunities to support participants by providing both pre- and post-incarceration services. They demonstrate the highest level of customer care and empathy while striving to resolve participants’ concerns and issues.

Collaboration: The candidate expresses disagreement constructively, for example, by emphasizing points of agreement and suggesting acceptable alternatives. They work effectively with others to ensure participants receive the necessary support to thrive in the work readiness workshop. The candidate also collaborates with case managers to help manage participants’ cases and ensure coordination of case for any additional wrap-around services needed, both pre-and post-release.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaboratively work with team (including DOCCS personnel) and management to implement innovative and engaging interdisciplinary, interactive, and experiential learning activities in the workshops, including job readiness skills and life skills related to the development and enhancement of pre-employment competencies.
• Demonstrates flexibility and a willingness to adapt to program changes as needed. Willing to travel to correctional facilities at own expense.

• Conduct cognitive behavioral interventions as prescribed by cognitive behavioral curricula in adherence with the program model.
• Conduct activities to improve motivation and communication skills of job-seeking participants.
• Monitor, report, and document participants’ attendance, progress towards goals, and overall class performance.
• Engage in regular participant case conferences and planning meetings with staff.
• Notify supervisor of participant-specific or program issues and problems regarding the soft skills training program or participant transition.
• Assist with orientation, screening, assessments, mock interviews, retention, client follow up, recruitment and job development activities.
• Collaboratively work with volunteers to support mock interviews.
• Maintains both physical and digital copies of all participant worksheets and attendance.
• Complete all necessary documentation and input data into case management database in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with internal departments as needed.
• Attend and participate in all necessary meetings, conferences, and training.
• Engage in clients own ongoing professional development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, counseling, human services or education preferred.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience training, counseling, providing workforce development services, or instruction.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Experience with job readiness and/or cognitive behavioral curricula facilitation including Thinking for a Change, Breaking Barriers, Ready, Set, Work., Interactive Journaling, or similar curricula preferable.
• Skilled communicator who can liaise interdepartmentally as well as with community partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Outlook and Office 365.
• Familiarity with the Fair Chance Act a plus.
• Ability to apply skills learned from prior work experience, or formal academic training in a related subject area, to the day-to-day project activities; and demonstrate success in being participant-centered, self-motivated with excellent relationship skills.
• Ability to work independently and on a team.
• Ability to secure NYS DOCCS volunteer services clearance.
• Experience and/or desire to work with a culturally diverse population; and
• We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.