Organizational Background:
Open City Advocates provides holistic legal representation to youth who have been committed to the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) after sentencing in the juvenile justice system. This approach combines lawyering, advocacy, and mentoring to better guide youth through the system and set them up for success. Open City Advocates’ client-centered approach is foundational to the various systemic reform issues that we tackle with the juvenile justice system and the broader juvenile social service ecosystem.
We tackle racial inequity in our juvenile justice system where it is most extreme, as 100% of youth who are committed to DYRS are youth of color. Based on the knowledge we gain from our direct client services, we then spearhead systemic reform efforts to end the revolving door of the juvenile and criminal justice systems, safeguard and expand due process protections, and encourage individualized, trauma-responsive services for court-involved youth.
In 2020, the DC Court of Appeals ruled in our favor in our longstanding impact litigation case, In re N.H.M. (224 A.3d 581 (2020)). As a result of this decision, youth in DC’s juvenile justice system now have a clearly established right to an attorney throughout their commitment to DYRS. Open City Advocates is working with community partners to implement the right for all youth in DC.
Position Overview:
Open City Advocates seeks a Reentry Coordinator to assist youth and adult clients with connection to support services, including housing, education, mental health, and employment resources. Working primarily with people returning from a period of incarceration, the Reentry Coordinator will provide support and guidance to create a positive transition back to the community and to reduce barriers to accessing social supports. The Reentry Coordinator will also support Open City Advocates’ systemic reform efforts, legal services, and other programmatic needs.
Key Functions & Responsibilities:
• Support youth and adult clients during incarceration and transitioning back to DC.
o Establish relationships with Open City Advocates clients and help to ensure a consistent connection with Open City Advocates.
o Work with legal team to create and execute a plan for successful reentry (including visiting clients during incarceration).
o Attend client team meetings, particularly related to discharge planning.
o Connect clients to reentry and social services in DC.
o Assist clients with reentry needs, including but not limited to school enrollment, job searches, opening a bank account, obtaining a driver’s license, or property retrieval from law enforcement.
o Implement Open City Advocates’ flex funds program, which provides clients with support for groceries, transportation, and education stipends, among other areas.
• Create network of reentry resources.
o In conjunction with the Open City Advocates team, create connections with social service providers in DC to streamline client referrals and ensure a warm handoff.
o Maintain a working knowledge of the social service landscape in DC, including the types of services that are available, such as job fairs for returning citizens.
• Assist with organizational systemic activities (when capacity allows).
o Attend systemic meetings and record notes in database.
o Provide administrative assistance to the Youth Leaders in Action of the DC Juvenile Justice Advisory Group.
o Other related administrative tasks, as needed.
Number of Clients Served: We estimate the Reentry Coordinator will assist approximately 25-30 clients per year.
Compensation & Benefits:
• Salary is $55,000 – $65,000, depending on experience.
• Benefits include:
o Health, dental, and vision insurance, with OCA covering 90% of an individual policy.
o Paid federal and DC holidays, sick leave, and 15 days of vacation.
o 401(k) matching program (4% after first 3 months).
o Employer-sponsored short and long-term disability and life insurance after one year.
o Up to 12 weeks of parental leave, and professional development opportunities.
Qualifications:
• Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree required; Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, human services, psychology, social work, or another related field is preferred.
• Experience with systems-involved youth and/or adults is strongly preferred.
• Experience exercising financial responsibility is preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices is preferred.
• Working knowledge of social services and supports in the DC area is a plus.
• Commitment to working collaboratively with community partners.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a wide variety of tasks.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
Application Instructions: To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Open City Advocates’ Legal Director, Raymond Ngu, at [email protected].
Application Deadline: We will review applications and conduct interviews on a rolling basis.
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