The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic legal defense office in the South Bronx – seeks energetic staff with a commitment to social justice to fill openings for Parent Advocates.
The Bronx Defenders is a multi-service holistic defense organization dedicated to addressing the underlying causes and resulting consequences of involvement with the criminal and family justice systems. The Bronx Defenders’ collaborative approach brings together interdisciplinary work groups combining criminal defense and civil lawyers, social workers, investigators, and parent and client advocates to address not just the immediate criminal or family court case, but also the host of issues that drive individuals into the system. The Bronx Defenders has gained national and international attention for advancing this Holistic Defense model. To learn more, please visit our website at www.bronxdefenders.org.
The Bronx Defenders seeks thoughtful and dedicated Parent Advocates (PA) to join teams to assist and advocate for and with families who have open Child Welfare Family Court cases. PA’s work with social workers and lawyers as part of an interdisciplinary advocacy team. PA’s will advocate for and with the client both inside and outside courtrooms, with programs, The Administration for Children’s Services and other stakeholders. PAs must be comfortable working in and around family court, and with parents who are facing abuse/neglect allegations and may also be facing criminal charges.
Responsibilities:
- Attending child safety conferences and Family Team conferences with and as a representative of the client
- Attending other meetings with clients
- Engaging and assessing client needs
- Linking clients with relevant programs for substance use, anger management, parenting, mental health services
- Accompanying clients to appointments throughout the Bronx and NYC to ensure seamless access to services
- Working collaboratively with clients, lawyers and social workers
- Conducting home and program visits
- Assisting clients and legal team to set goals and assess progress
Qualifications:
- 2 years case management experience clients OR Bachelor’s degree (preferably BSW) from accredited university. (AA plus 1 year experience can be substituted)
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred
- Experience with family court or child welfare system strongly preferred
- Knowledge of the Bronx a plus
To apply, submit a resume and cover letter electronically via email to jobs@bronxdefenders.org by the end of business on June 27, 2016, and put “Parent Advocate” in the subject line. Resumes will only be accepted electronically. No faxes or phone calls please. Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted by the first week of July.
The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer: people of color; women; people with disabilities; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; and people with personal/familial experience with the criminal justice and family court system are welcome and encouraged to apply.