Clinical Case Manager 1

CLINICAL CASE MANAGER I - ICM

INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT

QUEENS SUPERVISED RELEASE PROGRAM

Posted: 1/14/2025

ABOUT CJA 

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.  CJA is the City’s main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof.  CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 100,000 persons arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency’s internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City. CJA’s programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 300 employees, citywide.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

CJA operates a Supervised Release Program in Queens Criminal Court. The program, which operates during the day and night court in Queens, screens targeted defendants for release at criminal court arraignment, subject to specific conditions including maintaining face-to-face and telephone contact with the program, participating in an assessment process to identify needs such as substance use and mental health, and agreeing to program monitoring of court appearances and re-arrests.

This is a great opportunity for a dynamic, knowledgeable individual, experienced in dealing with high-needs populations such as those with mental health diagnoses, at-risk youth, and others with social, emotional, or developmental challenges, who have criminal court involvement. This position will work with participants aged 16 and older.

Position Summary 

Reporting to the ICM Clinical Supervisor, and under the direction of the Associate Director of Clinical Services II for ICM, the Clinical Case Manager I is a dynamic, knowledgeable, and experienced individual with a background in social services seeking to help make an impact on the court system and alternative initiatives aimed at reducing detention and crime rates in the city. The Clinical Case Manager I on the ICM team will be working on a team that serves both youth and adult clients (ages 16 and up) who have enhanced needs such as mental health and substance use issues, and developmental disabilities, housing instability, and others who are less likely to make it to their court appearances. This role is primarily community based, requiring travel in Queens and other boroughs, but will include some work directly in the Queens Criminal Court as well as our case management offices in Kew Gardens and Long Island City.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Clinical Case Manager I in ICM functions include:

• Reviewing with participants the conditions of release, program agreement, and consents for disclosure.
• Conducting an intake/assessment interview to identify needs, including administering various evidence-based assessment tools to identify possible mental health and/or substance abuse concerns for individuals who are aged 16 and older. 
• Monitoring a caseload of high risk and high needs youth and adult participants, providing supervision, and making referrals to voluntary social service interventions. 
• Verifying participant contact information, general location (if unhoused), contacts at other programs, and current supervision level/reporting requirements. Maintaining face-to-face and telephone contact with participants, monitoring re-arrests, and preparing written progress reports for court.
• Meeting with clients in the community as needed. This would include, but not be limited to completing their appointments in the community, accompanying them to referrals, and attending court dates.
• Maintaining communication with defense attorneys and referral agencies until transfer or completion of reporting responsibilities.
• Updating computerized case management appointments accordingly to produce periodic reports on participant compliance.
• Completing all necessary documentation in a timely manner and maintaining all data set reporting requirements in the agency database.
• Appearing and advocating in court regarding participants’ compliance, as necessary.
• Actively participate in staff meetings and ongoing trainings; identify new opportunities for staff development.

Client Centered Management and Communication  

• Communicating and coordinating with staff comprised of diverse identities, experiences, and professional disciplines in a respectful manner that acknowledges differences, expertise, and experiences to promote collaboration and better client outcomes.
• Communicating with clients of diverse populations, needs, and experiences in the justice system and other institutions in a respectful manner that acknowledges lived experiences and creates connection.
• Answering questions about our services in an informed and well-resourced way; directing clients and community members to resources by making appropriate referrals.
• Ensuring that clients are being supported in a timely manner, through careful assessment and the use of evidence-based tools.

Influencing and Motivating 

• Ability to work intensively with clients using goal-based interventions to create behavioral changes.
• Supporting the client’s self-efficacy by reinforcing their power to make the changes that they want.
• Guiding clients through the treatment plan and behavioral change process; recognize/acknowledge the positive changes that are made and continue encouraging behavioral changes along the way.
• Clearly and concisely communicating with other members of the mobile team to understand and support the needs and goals of the client and collaborate on appropriate next steps.

QUALIFICATIONS  

• MSW or relevant master’s degree required with 2 years of related case management experience.
• Knowledge of NYC Court Operations preferred.
• Experience serving clients in the community preferred.

The successful candidate will possess a combination of the following knowledge, skills, and experiences:

• Familiarity with the Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) or other advocacy program models
• Working knowledge of treatment programs (substance abuse, mental health, etc.) and other support services (GED, job training, YIP, etc.) for referrals
• Ability to exercise sound and quick judgment
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Computer literate with the ability to quickly adapt to changing technology
• Bilingual: Spanish (preferred)
• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours, if needed
• CASAC or CASAC-T encouraged to apply  

Hours & Scheduling Expectations 

This is a visible role with direct client-facing responsibilities engaging with clients, staff, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess the required qualifications and skills, and the ability to work in-person 5 days a week. 

• Typical hours are 9am – 5pm or 1pm to 9pm.
• To provide optimal coverage for client engagement, regularly scheduled workweeks will include weekends and night shifts.
• Flex hours will be occasionally required to perform client visits either in their homes, or at community-based locations.

Travel within the 5 boroughs required for client engagement or meetings with community partners, as needed

This is a visible role with direct client-facing responsibilities engaging with clients, staff, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess the required qualifications and skills, and the ability to work in-person 5 days a week.

*Internal applicants must be 1 year in their current roles and in good standing (no disciplinary action within the last 90 days) to apply.

LOCATION: Queens, NY 

SALARY: $79,679

CJA VALUES

Each employee at CJA is guided by these values in our work:

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention.
• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families.
• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention.

BENEFITS: CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) plan, four weeks’ vacation, paid holidays, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions.  CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development. 

Note: Only those candidates being considered will be contacted.

CJA is seeking applicants who pursue professional development pathways by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and engaging with professional associations

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.