Community Navigator

Description

Title:                           Community Navigator

Unit:                            Atlas Workforce Program

Salary:                        $35.04 – 35.71 per hour [Approximately $63,787 to $65,000 annually]

Reports to:                 Community Navigation Manager            

Status:                         Full Time; Regular, Non-Exempt             

Location:                     502 East 163^rd Street, Bronx, NY 10451

Days/Hours:               Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, with alternating weekends (2 full weekends worked a month)

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 54 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 just under $60 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and in 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 11,000 people a year. Our client population mirrors the incarcerated population in being approximately 85% male and over 90% people of color. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally for their quality and innovation.

Position Summary

Under the direction of Fortune, the Community Navigator works to gain the trust of the community and the highest-risk individuals to help prevent shootings and retaliatory violence and to provide linkages and robust accompaniment to prosocial alternatives, including activities, jobs, education, case management, and social services. As a member of a team, the Community Navigator is responsible for reaching out to the highest-risk individuals in the community and working with them to prevent violence by modeling prosocial behaviors, engaging them in positive activities, accompaniment through the case management process, and connecting their participants to additional services that the organization and partners offer.

Community Navigator will engage directly with identified and referred participants who have experienced high levels of trauma and are likely to be victims or perpetrators of violence.

The position requires strong understanding of the drivers of violence in the service community, including the histories, dynamics, and conflicts of individuals and groups. Community Navigators must also have strong knowledge of local service providers. The candidate should have experience in working with and engaging “high-risk” adults in structured leadership development activities.

Mission, Culture and Fit

The OM must embody the values and mission of the Fortune Society. This includes meeting our participants where they are, demonstrating our values through compassion and understanding; and affirming that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Attention to Detail

The OM must demonstrate competency to develop systems and processes to organize and keep track of information or work progress; is routinely conscientious, thorough, accurate and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; and recognizes trends, detects inconsistencies, and determines essential details.

Collaboration

The OWs must collaborate and coordinate with to provide care and support to those who are in need of higher levels of supervision. Additionally, the OWs will need to collaborate with external providers where individuals are receiving voluntary services to ensure coordinated care.

Qualifications

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Relentlessly engage highest-risk participants using a variety of methods, including home visits, community outreach, and institutional visits to foster strong, supportive relationships;
• Regularly assess safety risks associated with individuals and physical locations and collaborate with the program team to develop approaches to navigating and mitigating risks;
• Advocate for participants’ needs and goals, offering mentoring and comprehensive case management to support their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency;
• Conduct targeted outreach, both individually and as part of a team, to cultivate partnerships with local residents, youth, businesses, and community organizations, enhancing community support networks;
• Design and implement personalized support sessions focused on conflict resolution, prosocial behavior adoption, and empowerment of participants to achieve their personal and professional goals;
• Collaborate with the management team and external support networks to identify and engage individuals at the highest risk, ensuring a proactive approach to violence prevention and community safety;
• Manage a caseload of up to 20 participants, providing focused, individualized support;
• Utilize trauma-informed practices to establish trust and rapport with participants, serving as a positive role model and guide in their journey of recovery and growth;
• Diligently prepare and submit detailed reports, including timely incident reports, participant progress updates, and any other documentation necessary to maintain transparency and accountability;
• Collaborate closely with transitional job providers to facilitate participants’ successful integration and progress in the Atlas Workforce program, addressing any barriers to employment;
• Maintain clear and timely communication channels with team members and management, providing updates on participant progress and any concerns related to their safety and well-being;
• Engage in ongoing professional development and training opportunities to enhance skills and effectiveness in the role, participating in all mandatory sessions and seeking additional learning opportunities as needed;
• Participate in a variety of meetings, including staff, partner, one-on-one supervision, and community meetings as scheduled by the Manager; and
• Participate in collaborative meetings to assess participant progress and plan services.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required;
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred;
• Skilled communicator who is able to liaise interdepartmentally as well as with community partners and stakeholders;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule;
• Driver’s license required;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel;
• Ability to work independently and on a team;
• Experience working with the community in the South Bronx, a plus;
• Experience and/or desire to work with a culturally diverse population;
• We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel Requirements: Travel throughout the Bronx is required.

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.

Salary : $63,787 - $65,000