The Opportunity

The Way Back is looking for a result-driven, experienced case manager to fill the role of Reentry Specialist.  This position will serve clients in Dallas and surrounding areas and will interact with participants, transitional facilities, correctional agencies, and other community-based organizations and agencies.

The Reentry Specialist will function as a case manager and perform outreach efforts.  This position will maintain frequent contact with participants, conducting intakes and assessments, identifying needs and goals, connecting participants with applicable services and resources, as well as coordinating referrals. This position will also conduct outreach efforts to educate individuals returning to local communities from incarceration on the services and support available to them.

Who We Are:

The Way Back provides reentry services and case management to people returning to local communities from incarceration, working to move them from crisis to stable and thriving lives.  We are a faith-based, 501(c)3 organization that has been serving the formerly incarcerated in the Dallas area for 50 years.

Experience:

• 2-4 years of relevant experience working with high-risk populations, including those with substance abuse histories, trauma or criminal justice system involvement while providing exceptional case management and/or social services.
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Peer Support or Reentry Specialist Certification preferred but not required.

Who You Are:

• You are familiar the barriers and needs of the formerly incarcerated and how to align support and resources to meet those needs (housing, income/employment, education, transportation, identification, healthcare, etc.)
• You are deeply dedicated to seeing that everyone has an opportunity to build a stable future.
• You are experienced in providing feedback and guidance to participants to encourage their growth and continued development.
• You have excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• You're a strong multi-tasker and an organized worker with the ability to maintain oversight of all of the details as you coordinate many moving pieces.
• You have an understanding of the importance of tracking client needs, progress, services, and achieving programmatic outcomes.
• You have extremely reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license and are able to travel throughout the area.
• You are an innovative, self-starter who has exceptional administrative skills.
• You have the ability to connect with community resources such as social workers, case managers at other organizations, social service providers, etc.
• You enjoy setting a weekly schedule for outreach, case management, follow-up and reporting.
• You have a knack for building partnerships and expanding services to ensure participant success.
• You have strong computer skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and can easily adapt to new programs.
• You enjoy speaking to groups of individuals to educate them on the organizations services.
• You are comfortable working inside correctional facilities.
• You have effective time management, problem solving and listening skills.

Major Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Reentry Specialist include, but are not limited to:

• Provide comprehensive case management services to high-need participants to help address issues such as housing, education, employment, substance abuse and mental health.
• Complete intakes, administer assessments, develop goal plans and assess needs.
• Initiate regular follow-up; monitoring and document progress; consistently and accurately document all participant contact, services and progress in our outcomes-based system (Apricot - Social Solutions).
• Coordinate services and referrals for participants, such housing, basic needs, identification, background friendly employment, education/career training, mental health support, recovery programs, community connectivity, etc.
• Conduct outreach by presenting services at area correctional and transitional centers, and to courts, parole/probation offices, area housing providers and other Community Based Organizations to ensure those in need of reentry services have access to the services and support provided by The Way Back.
• Responds to mail, email and phone inquiries in a timely manner.
• Maintain an organized calendar, adhering to reporting deadlines and monitoring schedules.
• Connect participants to educational and vocational opportunities as related to their short- and long-term goals.
• Use motivational techniques as appropriate to help guide participants to goal achievement.
• Monitor a multitude of reports related to client needs and progress.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, social service agencies and employers to build a network of services available to participants.
• Assist with other programming as needed.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

Additional Information:

• This position may have occasional travel to outlying areas.
• Hours: 9-5, Monday through Friday (subject to change).
• Some evenings/weekends may be required.

Benefits:

• Unlimited PTO (Flexible Time Off)
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Extended Christmas Break

To Apply:  Please send resume and cover letter to info@thewaybackhouse.org with the subject line Reentry Specialist.