Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a Re-Entry and Client Services Associate to join our team.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown people living below the poverty level in Brooklyn.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues.

The Re-Entry Unit provides services for those who have been incarcerated in New Yorks jails and prisons. After release from incarceration or completing an alternative to incarceration program, the Re-Entry Team helps people find housing, gainful employment, continuing education, therapeutic programming, and to achieve a successful reintegration into the community.

The Client Services Center is the first point of contact for clients and visitors coming to the office. The Client Services Team greets clients and visitors, assists clients coming to the office for appointments with BDS staff, and responds to Client Services requests including room booking, scheduling Ubers, activating new phones for clients, and packing Rikers clothing packages.

The Associate will split their time between the Re-Entry Team and the Client Services Team.

Responsibilities

Working within the Re-Entry Unit, the Associate will provide administrative and operational support to the team as follows:

Respond to employment referrals to the unit, which can include work history assessments and referrals to Workforce 1.

Provide concrete assistance for individuals coming home from jail or prison, including but not limited to filing of public benefits and housing applications, scheduling appointments to obtain identification, and setting up smart phones and email accounts.

Assist with maintaining incarcerated client trackers.

Gather information on viable community resources.

Utilize BDS resources such as social workers, housing, immigration, employment, and education attorneys to address client needs and ensure Reentry Unit objectives are met.

Attend and participate in scheduled staff meetings and trainings as needed.

Provide administrative and operational support for Community Office events.

Travel throughout the 5 boroughs as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

In Client Services, the Associate will support the team in their various responsibilities including the following:

Welcome clients to their appointments and respond to inquiries as needed.

Respond to Client Services requests including room booking, scheduling Ubers, activating new phones for clients, and packing Rikers clothing packages.

Ready packages for mailing and deliver to Post Office.

Help maintain regular inventory of clothing, phones, gift cards and other items and ensure that said items are available for pick-up in designated office areas as well as maintaining order of such areas as needed.

Restock various agency locations with client items.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Lived experience with experience in the criminal legal system preferred OR experience working with people who have experienced incarceration.

Ability to interact with clients in a professional, caring, and responsive manner.

Ability to work in a team environment.

Bilingual Spanish-English speaking a plus.

Position Information?

This is a non-exempt, salaried position. The regular schedule is Monday to Friday 10am-6pm which may be adjusted depending on agency needs. The position is based at BDSs offices in Downtown Brooklyn. There is 5 day in-person requirement for this position.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position, there is a base salary range of $51,880-$77,880, depending on the applicants education and experience. There is also a $1,000 differential on top of your base pay. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions????

Click Apply Now to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.?? We recommend you submit your application by June 28, 2024.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates?of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director, H.R., Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.