Client and Community Engagement Manager - New York, NY

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The Legal Aid Society's Juvenile Rights Practice has an opening for a committed, creative, and experienced Client and Community Engagement Manager (CCEM) to take a leading role in our efforts to engage clients and the community in our efforts to enhance the delivery of service to children, youth and families impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems and serve as a liaison between Legal Aid and community partners.

The CCEM will play a key role in enhancing client-centered advocacy, engagement and outreach. Working in collaboration with Trial office and Special Litigation multidisciplinary teams, the CCEM will develop, enhance, mobilize and lead client and community engagement and education strategies to support holistic representation and affirm the value of lived experience. The CCEM will elevate a participatory representation approach, organize and facilitate outreach initiatives and trainings that foster a commitment to integrity and excellence through communication, accessibility, and partnerships to ensure the client's voice is not only central to the advocacy process but also the architect of change.

The CCEM will lead the Youth Leadership Board, co-lead the Adolescent Practice Team, serve on the Legislative Working group, and support law reform efforts by ensuring that the work is informed by and benefits Legal Aid's clients, their families and their communities.

The CCEM will work under the direction of the Sr. Director of Social Work and Holistic Services to supervise a small team of peer and outreach advocates to create opportunities for community engagement on issues relating to Legal Aid's law reform agenda and to develop and establish relationships with community partners and coalitions. The CCEM will also work collaboratively with the trial practice and community partners, by facilitating and supporting proximate community events and activities hosted in partnership with community organizations and provider agencies.

Candidates will be a credible messenger and have a strong background in community engagement and coalition work. They will be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to child welfare and juvenile justice reform and a clear understanding of how social movements can influence legal and policy change. They will be willing and able to work independently, toward shared team goals, primarily in the community rather than an office setting. They will be excellent communicators and relationship-builders, and familiar with the use of social media and other online tools for community engagement. They will be organized, collaborative, and comfortable working in all five Boroughs of NYC and in environments where our clients live and attend school. They will have demonstrated skills in leadership and a capacity to develop skills as a supervisor. Work flexible hours, including outside normal business hours, in the evenings and weekends to engage communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Working with the Sr. Director of Social Work and Holistic Services to supervise peer and outreach advocates
• Working with lawyers, social workers and paralegals, policy experts and others to create opportunities for engaging clients and community members in Legal Aid's special litigation law reform work, including planning and conducting outreach initiatives, attending community events, and convening the Youth Leadership Board
• Develop, diversify and enhance advocacy for children, youth and former clients
• Collaborate with the Adolescent Practice Teams - co-lead and facilitate meetings, maintain and share community information, provide lived experience perspective
• Lead coordination of the Youth Leadership Board, hold regular meetings and oversee projects
• Design, coordinate and facilitate client and community outreach, engagement and education efforts
• Maintain updated youth and adolescent resource guide for all five boroughs
• Organize and deliver know-your-rights and other training sessions designed to assist people in advocating for themselves and participating in the legal reform efforts
• Collaborate with Paralegal Client Advocate teams to ensure proximate client engagement with clients living outside their homes, including facilitating the Client Visitation Project
• Monitor service provision and agency compliance with court orders
• Conduct field and community visits and gather case information from clients, witnesses, and collateral sources
• Hire, coordinate, develop, train and supervise peer and outreach advocates
• Hold regular meetings, set performance expectations for team members, review work and provide feedback
• Work with coalitions to strengthen our policy work; participate in coalition campaigns, lobbying, special projects and events
• Develop and facilitate training for internal and external staff

Case Management and Support

• Support direct representation and client services
• Carry a small caseload engaging in all the responsibilities required for holistic client services and support
• Assist with the development of case strategy in consultation with clients, their attorney, social worker, and paralegal client advocate.
• Support client's permanency and discharge plans
• Provide advocacy letters on behalf of clients
• Communicate with clients through letters, phone calls, and in person meetings at the office, at services providers, in the community, and or in detention settings
• Advocate on behalf of clients
• Troubleshoot barriers to reunification, stability in placement, reentry and permanency goals and make additional referrals as needed
• Manage administrative functions and maintain case management and record keeping

Team Development and Supervision

• Schedule employee hours, assign work, approve time off and remote work schedule requests following the guidance of LAS policy and procedures
• Attend management meetings, participate in management trainings, and utilize current employment policies, practices and guidance as provided by management and Human Resources
• Conduct management and supervision practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplace
• Supervise direct reports in setting performance standards, provide routine feedback as well as coaching/counseling, and issue disciplinary action as needed
• Identify and provide training and development opportunities and ensure mandatory trainings are completed
• Identify, delegate, and document work responsibilities, roles, and procedures to meet the mission of the department
• Identify and implement department/unit management and accountability practices to improve performance
• Resolve employee conflict, complaints, and address union concerns, with guidance from Human Resources

Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned

• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant work experience or an equivalent of 7+ years of post-secondary education and relevant work experience
• Experience as a community organizer or advocate preferably in the New York City area
• Basic computer skills (email, internet, word processing, etc.) and familiarity with document-creation tools such as PowerPoint and CANVA
• Communication skills should include social media skills and familiarity with a broad range of social media and online engagement tools; experience building social media campaigns is desirable
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, including weeknights and/or weekend hours

Preferred qualifications:

• Proficiency in languages other than English desirable but not required
• Direct lived experience with child welfare and or juvenile justice system preferred
• Prior coalition and project management experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of New York service providers and procedures for accessing public benefits, supportive, subsidized housing, fair futures, preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Position Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrate clear understanding of how social movements can influence legislative and legal processes; specific experience working in coalition-based campaigns is desirable
• Understanding of the New York City child welfare and juvenile justice legal system
• Experience working with children and families, community providers, and advocate groups
• Experience with case management, permanency planning, discharge planning and reentry, desired
• Ability to work in and value a collaborative team model
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, including the ability to explain complex topics in clear and accessible language
• Excellent written and verbal advocacy
• Demonstrated skills in advocacy and interviewing
• Demonstrate leadership abilities; Prove ability to mentor and develop others
• Ability to work independently and creatively to accomplish shared goals
• Strong commitment to racial and social justice
• Ability to foster constructive and respectful working relationships with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds, including those from racially diverse, underserved and unserved communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage a complex workload and meet deadlines
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Ability to pay attention to detail and think critically
• Ability to respond to crisis and problem solve independently
• Highly motivated with a willingness to work as a team and adapt to the changing needs of the practice and the clients
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office programs

Supervision Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to schedule, assign, and manage work and resolve problems as needed
• Ability to manage the work including: assessment of work process and outcomes, gathering relevant information about the work, recommending alternatives, or elevate issues as needed
• Ability to clearly identify roles, responsibilities, delegate tasks and hold people accountable
• Ability to create and implement effective communication plans
• Ability to provide meaningful performance feedback for professional development including having difficult conversations and resolving sensitive employee issues
• Pursue continuous learning on forms of systemic oppression of marginalized identities and establish team norms and management practices using an equity mindset and informed by inclusive practices

Organizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to Legal Aid Society's mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
• Commitment to Legal Aid Society's mission and values

Physical, environment, travel, and other duties required:

• Work flexible hours, including outside normal business hours, in the evenings and weekends to engage communities
• May require travel to Albany, upstate placement facilities and around the five boroughs
• Conduct field and community visits in and around the five boroughs of NYC, detention facilities, congregate care and schools
• Mostly sedentary, significant time using a computer and monitor; communicating and meeting using video

* For positions noted as essential, this will require either remote or in-person work during times of closure or otherwise non-typical business hours which may include evenings and weekends and during unforeseen events such as inclement weather or poor air quality conditions.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $90,000 - $95,000

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one's internal deeply-held sense of one's gender which may be the same or different from one's sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one's name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.

Manhattan - Juvenile Rights Practice Office