About this role
Job DetailsJob Location: Long Island City - Long Island City, NY 11101Position Type: Full-Time Non-ExemptSalary Range: $29.12 - $31.87 HourlyTitle: Transitional Work Specialist, Data
Unit: Employment Services
Reports to: Program Manager
Status: Full Time – Regular /Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $29.12 - $31.87 [Approximately $53,000 – $58,000 annually]
Location: Long Island City, NY and Bronx, NY
Days/Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM); Some evenings and weekends as required
Organization Overview:
The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.
Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year.. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.
Position Summary: Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Transitional Work Specialist, Data is responsible for recruiting, screening, and supporting participants in Fortune’s Transitional Work Program, while ensuring data integrity and accurate reporting on program outcomes. The team member will be assigned to work at both Fortune Society’s LIC and Bronx Locations. The team member will oversee participants’ progress through transitional work placements, use trauma-informed approaches to foster professional development, and support employer partnerships that provide meaningful work experience. In addition to participant engagement, the team member will support with ensuring that Transitional Work, Placement and Retention data is accurate for key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting metrics accurately reflect program activity, contributing to data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
Core Competencies:
Mission and Fit
Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.
Attention to Detail
Maintains organized, thorough, and accurate records; reviews data for accuracy; and identifies inconsistencies for correction.
Analytical Thinking
Understands how data informs program outcomes; interprets trends and applies insights to support continuous improvement.
Multitasking and Organization
Balances multiple demands effectively, prioritizing critical tasks and maintaining high-quality performance under pressure.
Participant-Centered Approach
Engages participants with empathy, cultural competence, and a focus on empowerment and growth.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Recruit, screen, and enroll participants into the Transitional Work Program (LIC and Bronx Locations.
Assist participants in developing soft skills, workplace readiness, and professionalism.
Facilitate weekly job club sessions and workshops to enhance participant engagement.
Match participants with transitional work opportunities and act as a liaison between participants and host employers. Conduct worksite visits to monitor progress and collect feedback from employers and participants. Identify and address barriers to success, providing coaching and referral to support services when needed. Maintain accurate documentation of participant progress, attendance, and outcomes in the Client Record Management (CRM) system, CaseWorthy and external funder database systems.
Collaborate with Directors, Program Managers and the data team to ensure accuracy of participant records and reporting metrics. Review and verify data entries related to placements, attendance, outcomes, and participant status. Support analysis of KPIs and trends across transitional work programs to inform performance improvement.
Generate and update reports for internal and external stakeholders on participant progress and program impact. Monitor data quality, identify inconsistencies, and communicate corrections promptly. Assist in preparing performance summaries and data visuals for presentations, grant reporting, and audits.
Participate in Employment Services meetings to review program data and participant outcomes.
Collaborate with colleagues to maintain seamless participant support and service coordination.
Assist with administrative functions such as scheduling, tracking referrals, and managing records.
Support with data entry and quality assurance of internship, permanent placement and retention data, as needed.
Support continuous improvement by providing data-driven insights and recommendations to strengthen program models.
Adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and maintain compliance with program and funding requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QualificationsQualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent preferred; Associate’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, education, or data-related field preferred.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in workforce development, case management, or data roles.
Experience providing services to individuals impacted by the criminal legal system strongly preferred.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Outlook; Experience with database systems and data quality review required.
Demonstrated analytical ability, with experience generating and interpreting program reports and metrics.
Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and accuracy in documentation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a diverse, fast-paced environment.
Commitment to Fortune’s mission and values; ability to engage participants with empathy and respect.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
Must be able to travel throughout New York City as needed.
We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.
Physical Demands:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.