Career Opportunity

8446-Court Alternative Specialist I

Recruitment: RTF0125753-01151458

Published: October 04, 2022

Accepting applications until: October 07, 2022

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal Learn More

About:

Department: Public Defender's Office- Freedom Project
Job class: 8446- Court Alternative Specialist I
Role type: Temporary Exempt What does this mean?
Hours: Full-time

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 Alternative Court Specialist I position 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 conduct interviews and evaluate the needs of individuals and their families; make referrals to appropriate community service and rehabilitation programs; prepare and present reports; coordinates placement of referrals; prepare and maintain case records and reports; act as liaison; develop selection criteria, orientation and selection of community agencies for use as placement sites for individuals and their families. Importantly, the successful candidate will be required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community agencies, representatives of the courts, our clients, and others, and communicate orally, in writing, 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 and providing mitigation services. Working independently as well as with a small team is required. Lived experience in the criminal punishment system a plus. 

How to qualify

Requires completion of a four- year college or university with a baccalaureate degree with major coursework in the behavioral or social sciences.

AND

Requires at least one year of experience in a court referral program or closely related public service work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

License and Certification:

Requires possession of a valid California Driver's license.

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: 8446 Court Alternative Specialist I - 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.