Job Description
Position Description Overview
The Bronx Defenders (BxD), an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx, seeks a Reentry Advocate for our Civil Action Practice.
Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court as well as to address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement.
Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences.
Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change.
We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders. We run two legal clinics at NYC law schools and train public defenders from one end of the country to the next on how to move to a holistic model of representation.
The Civil Action Practice
A sweeping array of civil punishments are triggered the moment someone faces arrest, deportation, or family separation. The people we represent risk losing their jobs, homes, income, property, and basic civil rights – struggles that can be more devastating and long-lasting than the charges themselves. Last year, we helped over 4,000 people defend against these direct civil consequences to maintain their jobs, homes, income, property, and rights.
Responsibilities The Reentry Advocate provides comprehensive reentry and reintegration services to clients and community members. The Advocate will work within the Civil Action Practice—supporting our efforts to mitigate the fallout of our clients’ encounters with the criminal and other legal systems and helping to facilitate their reintegration into the community.
Direct Client & Community Support
Meet individually with clients and community members to assess reentry needs
Provide services and advocate for access to tools and rights that remove barriers to reentry, including correcting RAP sheet errors, obtaining Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct, and asserting rights of job and housing seekers (including understanding the Fair Chance Act, occupational licensing and how to combat employment discrimination) and navigating Clean Slate and sealing laws.
Assist with accessing vital records and documents, such as birth certificates and identification cards
Collaborate closely with attorneys, social workers, and other advocates to provide holistic advocacy that addresses the full scope of legal, social, and systemic barriers clients face to reentry and reintegration post-arrest or post-incarceration.
Make appropriate organizational and external referrals
Community Outreach and Partnerships
Conduct community outreach and building partnerships with community organizations, government & social services agencies, elected officials, workforce development sites, educational institutions, and law firms to support reentry initiatives.
Liaise with Bronx-based and other providers to refer for job training, workforce readiness programs, employer, and housing referrals.
Represent the office at reentry coalitions, community board meetings, and public forums to promote client-centered policies and community reintegration efforts.
Education, Clinics, and Know-Your-Rights Trainings
Organize and facilitate regular community workshops and legal clinics on topics including correcting RAP sheet errors, obtaining Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct, and asserting rights of job and housing seekers (including understanding the Fair Chance Act, occupational licensing and how to combat employment discrimination) and navigating Clean Slate and sealing laws.
Work directly with impacted individuals, family members, and advocates to build legal literacy and reduce stigma associated with justice system involvement.
Support, help plan and participate in staff training
Support and participate in developing talent pipelines, including intern trainings, supervision, and mentorship
Reentry Resource Development and Communications
Manage, update, and expand content for our online reentry resource clearinghouse, including guides, referral sheets, and know-your-rights materials tailored to NYC systems and Bronx-specific services.
Respond to written correspondence and outreach from incarcerated individuals seeking reentry guidance, referrals, and support upon release.
Policy & Systemic Change
Track policy developments and ensure clients are informed of legal changes that may impact their reentry rights and access to services
Help identify systemic problems that affect our clients while thinking creatively about strategies and solutions to alleviate and eliminate them
Support initiatives related to policy, communications, legislation, organizing, and system reform advocacy
Requirements Minimum of 3 years of experience in social justice advocacy, public interest litigation, community service, social work, or related area, focusing on reentry and reintegration
Familiarity or experience with the criminal legal system and obstacles faced by individuals who are incarcerated, formerly incarcerated or otherwise seeking to reenter society
Commitment to public interest law and advocating on behalf of individuals from racially and socioeconomically oppressed communities
Ability to communicate and interact effectively with all levels of staff, various institutions, local community officials, and law enforcement agencies to build effective working relationships
Excellent administrative, organizational, writing, and communication skills.
The ability to think critically and creatively, solve problems efficiently, be resourceful, and exercise good judgment
The ability to take initiative and work independently – to be a self-starter as well as effectively collaborate in a team setting
The ability to efficiently manage various projects simultaneously
Not required but a plus
Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, criminal justice, or related field preferred; equivalent lived or professional experience welcome.
Relevant advanced degree
Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish is a plus. Spanish fluency is validated objectively
Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 3 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position is $70,000 to $76,000. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy.
Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit.
This position is non-exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Internship, Work at office, Local area,