Outreach Specialist - JCOD STOP

Amity Foundation, internationally acclaimed teaching, and therapeutic community is seeking compassionate and enthusiastic individuals with a desire to teach, learn and join our community as an Outreach Specialist. This groundbreaking opportunity not only will allow you to work with our prison programs to help the inmate population but will also enhance your training and experience in the field.

About Amity:

Amity Foundation is a safe place where people can change in an environment that fosters trust; where new values can be formed; responsibility developed, and lasting relationships built. Amity is dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of people marginalized by addiction, homelessness, trauma, criminality, incarceration, poverty, racism, sexism, and violence. Amity is committed to research, development implementation, and dissemination of information regarding community building.

Remembrance, Resolution, Reconciliation, Restoration, Renewal

About the Position:

The JCOD STOP Outreach Specialist is the direct provider of screening, assessment, and placement suitability services to current and prospective students/participants. In some cases, this will be for those being referred in the “pre-trial phase”, and some cases for those on existing law enforcement/criminal justice supervision. This can include, but not be limited to; responding to court/probation referrals, screenings, initial assessment, initial placement in community-based services, transportation, case planning, case management, and collaborating with Community Based Providers (CBP) about progress if needed. Outreach Specialist movement and services conducted within the county jail system is coordinated and approved for security clearances by the Los Angeles County (County) Sheriff’s Department (LASD).

Salary Range: $25.00/hr - $26.44/hr

What You Will Do:

• Provide face to face interactive screening and assessment services to prospective JCOD STOP students/participants both in the Los Angeles (LA) County Jail setting and/or within the LA County larger community as needed.
• Maintain comprehensive referral, screening, and assessment records for JCOD STOP participants and services, including all the required elements of Reentry/Placement planning.
• Maintain collaborative relationships evidenced by effective communication with JCOD STOP faculty and leadership, the LA County Sheriff’s Department personnel, Probation Officers, Court officers, criminal justice liaisons, subcontracted CBP’s, and JCOD STOP prospective and current participants.
• Conduct and ensure results of an evidence-based assessment are documented for a formal Reentry/Placement plan.
• Compiling assessment information and input into a data management system.
• Reporting and responding to Courts, Probation Officers, and JCOD Placements team verbally and electronically as appropriate.
• Conduct regular visits to jails and keep County and LASD informed of changing schedules when appropriate.
• Develop a workflow to help the Associate Director streamline services.
• Follow up with team members to ensure everything is running smoothly and track project progress.
• Outreach Specialists may be asked to perform placement specialist, case manager, or transportation related duties as needed for the operational prudence of the project.
• Additional duties as assigned.

What You Will Bring:

• Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND a minimum of Two (2) years’ experience working in substance abuse program(s) and/or with criminal justice offenders and/or experience in the provision of screening, assessment, and/or case management services.
• Plus: Four (4) years of experience working with criminal justice populations in the provision of substance use disorder (SUD), Mental Health (MH), or related assessment/case management services. Current Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Certification approved by the State of California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS).
• Must have a valid California driver’s license and be eligible for Amity vehicle insurance.

• Operational knowledge and proficiency with MS-Word, Excel, and basic data entry systems.
• Understanding of causes, symptoms, and effects of substance abuse; appreciation for the

Behavioral, psychological, physical, and social effects of drug abuse.

• Recognition of the importance of individual differences created by personalities, cultures, lifestyles, social networks, mental health, and other factors that influence behavior. Demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to assessment and treatment practices.
• Understand an array of treatment modalities available to participants via the JCOD STOP network of CBP’s and maintain a current awareness of availability for placement within each treatment paradigm.
• Ability to integrate and align treatment options with institutional recommendations,

participant indications, and the results of the evidence-based assessment tool.

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to work effectively with a

wide range of constituencies in the community and within the organization.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Protect program participants’ health, safety, welfare, and confidentiality of records and

participant information.

• Model professionalism, effective work habits and responsible living.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when necessary.

What We Offer:

• 100% Employer-Sponsored HMO plan.
• PPO Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Paid vacation, sick time, & 11 holidays.
• 401K, HSA, & Life insurance programs.
• Community-oriented workplace.
• An organization committed to community action & social justice.