Support Specialist

Who is Persevere?

Persevere is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering justice-involved individuals through innovative workforce development and career preparation support services that give real access to quality employment in the technology industry. Specifically, Persevere provides technology training, career readiness instruction and support, wraparound case management, individualized job-based mentoring, and job placement services for justice-impacted individuals and people who are at risk for justice-involvement. 

 

Founded by and for people with lived experience with criminal justice, corrections, and poverty, Persevere understands the needs of the justice-impacted population as few organizations can, and our work embodies our commitment to reducing racial inequalities throughout all aspects of society and eliminating disproportionate minority contact and disproportionate minority confinement within the criminal justice system. As we have grown and expanded, we have focused on developing and executing strategies that continue to expand our mission of reducing racial disparities and inequalities, both as part of our work, and as well, our organization's practices regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Real Hope. Valuable Skills. Meaningful Opportunity.

Job Overview

The main objective of the Support Specialist is to support and guide clients through processes and procedures relating to their release from incarceration and subsequent adaptation to civilian life, starting on the first day of coding class to one year after release. This is a primarily remote role, but it will require local travel within the Northeastern area of Florida, and may occasionally involve work inside multiple prisons. Qualified candidates must be able to pass a reference check, background check, and client drug screen, and have a valid driver’s license with reliable transportation. This is a full-time salaried position with excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, matching 401k, and generous Paid Time Off.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop positive relationships with assigned individuals and families

•  Assess client needs and facilitate appropriate responses

• Review records and applications

• Establish treatment programs by setting schedules and routines

• Monitor cases by verifying clients’ attendance; observing and evaluating treatments and responses; advocating for needed services and entitlements

• Refer clients to community resources, as needed, and monitor access to and receipt of necessary services

• Collaborate with other organizations providing services to the client

• Obtain additional resources, intervening in crises and providing personal support

• Maintain client records by reviewing case notes, logging events and progress

• Communicate client progress by conducting weekly meetings and evaluation

• Balance work requirements with learning opportunities

• Participate in professional development and training

• Improve and implement best practices by studying, evaluating, and redesigning processes

• Serve as a member of the case management and reentry team, collaborating with other team members, as needed

• Complete corporate training on a timely basis.

• Assist with the creation of and follow critical Standard Operating Procedures and Workflows

• Participate in cross training staff as requested

• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services area (social work, human services, criminal justice, psychology) or an equal number of years of experience providing case management services

• Experience providing case management and community support services to persons with substance abuse and/or co-occurring disorders

• Experience working with corrections involved clients/offenders is preferred

• Basic computer skills and access to reliable internet service during working hours.

• Must have a valid driver's license

• Willingness to travel locally up to 30% of the time

 

We highly value

• Passion for and responsibility to the customer/partner

• Must be self-starting, hardworking and inquisitive

• Leadership through innovation in everything you do

• Passion for what you do and being self-critical to improve

• Relentless commitment to win

• Personal and corporate integrity