Location: Pittsburgh,PA, USA
The Reaching Out on the Streets (ROOTS) Program aims to reduce the prevalence of homelessness by addressing social determinants of health, opening opportunities for personal agency, and intervening in critical moments of crisis to reduce criminal legal interactions, increase access to services, and reduce fatal overdoses. The citywide staffing and organizational plan consists of both site based and outreach professionals who work to identify and help unhoused and unstably housed people be healthy and safe through case management, referrals to services, addressment of daily living needs, criminal justice navigation, and follow-up care coordination.
The ROOTS Criminal Justice Liaison coordinates care for and connects program participants to services and resources related to ongoing criminal justice involvement and legal navigation. This includes liaising with participants during incarceration, attending court appearances, and collaborating with the Public Defender's Office, the Allegheny County Jail, Allegheny County Courts, parole and probation offices, the District Attorney's Office, and other organizations as needed to address participant needs. This position will serve program participants from each ROOTS site and those identified through street outreach teams.
Department: Office of Community Health & Safety
Posting Type: Announcement
Salary: $69,035 per year.
Union: None, this is a non-union position.
Civil Service Classification: Non-Competitive
General Application Requirements:
You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.
* Applicants must submit a complete application including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.
* Applicants must be or become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
* Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
* A current, valid Class C Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License at the time of filing application or prior to appointment, which must be maintained throughout employment. Written requests for a special accommodation on the basis of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources and Civil Service on an individual basis.
* Must obtain ACJ Security Orientation Clearance within 60 days of appointment and maintain throughout employment.
* Must obtain CJIS Certification within 60 days of appointment and maintain throughout employment.
NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes but is not limited to criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration for employment based on the results of their background investigation (as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered).
NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment will be required to submit official transcripts to verify of their post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to being hired by the City of Pittsburgh. Transcripts must be submitted at the time of any/each job interview you have with the City of Pittsburgh.
Qualifying Requirements:
Your City of Pittsburgh application will be reviewed and your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.
* WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show four (4) years of full-time experience in social services, criminal justice, healthcare street outreach, or a related field. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
* EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice, social work, or a related field. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training.)
* EQUIVALENCY: Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above). The Total Qualifying Requirement is eight (8) years. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training.)
If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates who receive job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) prior to start date.
* Written: None required for this position.
* Performance: None required for this position.
* Medical: None required for this position.
* Engages with the Allegheny County Jail, Public Defender's Office, Office of Conflict Counsel, courts, probation, and parole to assist participants experiencing homelessness to ensure service connection and address needs.
* Attends court meeting(s) and visits client during incarceration to address client needs related to service connections.
* Advocates for program participants and describes the ROOTS program when engaging with external stakeholders.
* Trains ROOTS and OCHS staff in providing criminal justice navigation resources.
* Maintains current knowledge of available services and resource contacts to aid program participants.
* Develops and maintains relationships with police leadership and personnel in order to support and facilitate client care.
* Collaborates with the AHN River Clinic and other relevant stakeholders to coordinate medical care with individuals in the county jail.
* Collaborates with relevant entities to aid participants in the process of seeking pardons and expungements.
* Supports program participants in navigating landlord/tenant relations, connecting them to appropriate services and information.
* Provides assistance to clients both at ROOTS sites and engages with clients in off-site settings.
* Performs other duties as assigned or required.
Click here to view the full job description including knowledge, skills, and abilities and working conditions for this position. Locate and click on the position title to view the complete job description.