Career Opportunity

8452-Criminal Justice Specialist II

Recruitment: RTF0126138-01151444

Published: October 04, 2022

Accepting applications until: October 07, 2022

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About:

This is a full-time grant position, which has been funded for two years, and is subject to approval extension for a third year (through 3/1/25). 

The Public Defender’s office provides legal representation to persons charged with a crime in San Francisco who do not have the financial means to retain their own counsel. Each year, the office serves approximately 20,000 people. Over 70% of our clients are Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC).

The Freedom Project (TFP) within the Office of the Public Defender is dedicated to decarceration, successful reentry, and post-conviction systemic change. In under two years, TFP has helped free 65 people from California prisons, mostly representing folks at resentencing in the trial court. TFP also handles murder resentencing cases (PC 1172.6), parole hearings when resentencing applications do not go as hoped, and petitions to document youth factors for future parole hearings. Last year, TFP helped draft and pass legislation that significantly strengthened “second look” resentencing law (PC 1172.1).

Role description

This Criminal Justice Specialist II positon requires demonstrated commitment to ending mass incarceration and a talent for direct services.  As well, in this position, the successful candidate will be required to engage in outreach efforts; carry out a variety of data collection, assessments, complex research activities, analytical studies of socioeconomic factors; consult with outside groups, non-profit organizations, and public service agencies on matters affecting criminal legal programs; and write and edit reports and recommendations for criminal legal programs and entities. The successful candidate will be required to interact in-person and by other means, with a wide variety of individuals, including those incarcerated for decades and their loved ones, and show a deep empathy for their experiences while conducting release planning, developing social histories, and providing other needed mitigation services. Working independently as well as with a small team is required. Lived experience in the criminal punishment system a plus. 

Additionally, Criminal Justice Specialists II provide support for Department policy initiatives, projects, assignments, as well as assigned to serve on task forces, commissions, and subcommittees within the criminal or juvenile legal systems or community-based organizations. The Criminal Justice Specialist II also supervises, coaches, and mentor other employees within the Unit.

How to qualify

Education:

Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in a social or behavioral science, preferably sociology or criminology.

Experience:

Two (2) years of experience in a position which involved the conduct of analytical research and studies in the field of social or behavioral science in a public defender office, community based organization or a non-profit agency. This experience must include major responsibility for functions such as program administration, case management, data collection and analysis, and report writing.

Substitution:

Additional qualifying, verifiable work experience in a position as listed above may be substituted for up to two years of the required education on a year-for-year basis. One year (2000 hours) of additional qualifying experience will be considered equivalent to 30 semester/45 quarter units.

What else should I know?

HOW TO APPLY:

In addition to the application process, please provide all the following materials by 11:59pm on October 7, 2022 via email to PUBDEF.HR@sfgov.org

Subject: 8452 Criminal Justice Specialist II- Interested in the Position

a.     A contact list (emails & phone numbers) of 4 professional references (3 supervisors and 1 colleague).

b.     An updated resume

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.