ATI Credible Messenger Mentor

Title:                                 Credible Messenger Mentor

Unit:                                  Alternatives to Incarceration

Reports to:                        Director of ATI and Family Services

Status:                               Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary Range:                   $27.48 to $30.22 (approximately $50,000 - $50,000 annually)

Location:                           Long Island City, Queens 

Days/Hours:                      Varies Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, some evenings 11:30am - 7:30pm, subject to change depending on program needs.

Organization Overview:

The 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:

The Credible Messenger Mentor will support the Gun Diversion Program in the ATI unit in connecting participants to pro-social behavior and activities, facilitate mentoring group and one on one sessions, family engagement workshops and community benefit projects.  

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.

Strong Communication & Relationship Building: The ideal candidate will have the ability to clearly convey information, listen actively, and build positive, trust-based relationships with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders.

Time Management & Organization: The ideal candidate will be skilled at managing multiple tasks or cases efficiently, prioritizing responsibilities, and keeping accurate records to meet deadlines and ensure smooth operations.

Cultural Competency: The ideal candidate will demonstrate sensitivity and openness to diverse backgrounds and perspectives, adapting communication and approaches to effectively work with different populations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate mentorship group sessions and other cognitive behavior groups; 

• Coordinate and attend trips and activities with clients; 

• Provide individual mentoring sessions with clients, referrals to internal and external resources, develop client schedules, and client centered treatment plans; 

• Assist clients in identifying and prioritizing needs; 

• Coordinate interventions with participants' families, by offering family events for clients and their family,  

• Coordinate and promote anti-gun violence pro-social events; 

• Monitor participants attendance and compliance with mandate; 

• Participate in case conferences for optimum collaboration among departments/programs and external agencies as needed; 

• Attend and participate in meetings, conferences, and trainings; 

• Participate in ongoing mentor training and professional development 

Qualifications:

• Experience and commitment to working with mandated participants with criminal justice involvement; 
• Strong communication skills as a facilitator; 
• Strong Microsoft Office and database entry skills; 
• Strong assessment and engagement skills; 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; 
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus; 
• Strong organizational and leadership skills; and 
• One year of case management experience preferred;
• High school diploma or GED/HSE preferred;

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 accommodations 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.