Pre-Release and Juvenile Justice Reentry Specialist

Roca, Inc•Baltimore, MD

7d•$76,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Roca is an internationally recognized violence intervention and behavioral health program that works with the young people most likely to shoot or be shot. Founded in 1988 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Roca now serves nearly 2,000 of the highest-risk young people each year across seven sites in Massachusetts, Baltimore (MD), and Hartford (CT). Roca’s work is grounded in Rewire CBT, a breakthrough adaptation of cognitive behavioral therapy designed for young people living with trauma, disconnected from traditional services, and involved in/impacted by violence. Through relentless outreach, long-term relationships, and skill-building, Roca helps youth move from reacting to choosing, from surviving to living. Meanwhile, the Roca Impact Institute extends this reach nationally. Launched in 2020, the Institute trains community violence intervention staff, criminal justice agencies, and police officers in Rewire CBT, building trauma-informed practices and systems change across the country. To date, the Institute has trained more than 10,000 staff across 100+ organizations in 24 states and D.C.

Requirements

BA preferred/Equivalent community experience accepted
Understanding and experience working with young adults and high-risk young adults
Minimum of three years’ experience working with young people
Experience in street work, outreach, conflict resolution, violence prevention, etc.
Capacity to think and act intentionally and strategically to help young people change behavior
Capacity for creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, violence prevention
Strong written and oral communication
Excellent at organizing, managing and completing complex projects and tasks simultaneously with thoroughness, accuracy, timeliness and good humor.
Self motivation, initiative, sound judgment and commitment to ongoing learning are essential
Ability to travel around the service area
Computer Literacy
High Proficiency with Microsoft Office products specifically Excel.
Valid state issued driver’s license and current driving record
Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours, and Holidays and/or weekends as needed.
Ability to work with diverse cultures
Strong attendance and high energy

Nice To Haves

The very nature of Roca’s work requires an individual of great commitment and energy to the mission.
Roca seeks a highly driven individual who is a good fit both personally and professionally for the culture of Roca.
In addition, the ideal candidate for this position will be a trustworthy decision-maker.
He/she will have a sense of humor, feel passionate and committed to direct work with high-risk youth, and demonstrate interest in coaching and supporting coworkers.

Responsibilities

Maintain a flexible caseload of young people who are nearing release from Maryland Department of Juvenile Services facilities.
Meet regularly to deliver Rewire CBT, Circles, structured activities and one-on-one meetings when appropriate.
Assess readiness for release and prepare participants for engagement with Roca programming.
Meet with assigned DJS Case Management Specialists assigned to young people prior to release.
Assess participants’ basic needs upon release, including housing stability, identification and documentation, healthcare access, education/employment readiness, and other immediate supports.
Develop individualized reentry plans that address barriers to successful transition and promote sustained engagement post-release.
Complete Safety Profile and in coordination with DJS Outreach Manager, work with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and Baltimore Police Department to mitigate any potential risk.
Meet with families, guardians, or other caregivers with whom the young person will reside after release.
Support families in understanding Roca’s model, expectations, and available resources.
Strengthen family and natural support systems to promote stability and successful reentry.
Coordinate and facilitate in-facility meetings with appropriate Roca staff to complete: Eligibility and enrollment paperwork, Safety profiles, Transitional Employment Program (TEP) documentation.
Ensure all required paperwork and assessments are completed prior to release whenever possible.
Schedule the young person’s first visit to the Roca building following release.
Support a seamless transition from facility-based engagement to community-based services.
Communicate effectively with internal teams to ensure continuity of care and shared understanding of participant needs and goals.
Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough case notes and documentation in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).
Adhere to confidentiality, safety, and professional standards when working in juvenile justice settings.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of program and organizational needs.