Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Justice Liaison Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

As a Justice Liaison Coordinator, you are the critical link connecting individuals within the justice system to the resources they need for stability and success. You will act as a dedicated navigator, advocate, and coordinator, working directly with clients, court staff, legal professionals, and a network of community partners. Your core mission is to reduce recidivism, promote restorative justice, and ensure equitable access to essential services like housing, mental health treatment, and employment opportunities. This role demands a unique blend of empathy, deep systemic knowledge, and a relentless commitment to empowering vulnerable populations and dismantling barriers to their success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Social Worker or Case Manager (MSW/BSW)
Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Probation or Parole Officer

Advancement To:

Senior Justice Program Manager
Director of Re-entry or Diversion Services
Policy Advocate or Analyst

Lateral Moves:

Victim Advocate Specialist
Re-entry Housing Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison between program participants, court personnel (judges, clerks), attorneys, and probation/parole officers to ensure seamless communication and coordinated care.
Conduct comprehensive, culturally-sensitive screenings and bio-psycho-social assessments of justice-involved individuals to determine eligibility for diversion, re-entry, or other specialized programs.
Develop, implement, and monitor person-centered, strength-based individualized service plans (ISPs) in collaboration with clients, addressing needs such as housing, mental health, substance use treatment, and employment.
Attend and actively participate in court hearings, arraignments, and multi-disciplinary team meetings to provide updates on client progress, advocate for treatment alternatives to incarceration, and present clinical recommendations.
Maintain a manageable caseload of clients, providing intensive case management services and consistent follow-up to ensure engagement and progress toward their established goals.
Establish and nurture a robust network of relationships with community-based service providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to facilitate warm hand-offs and ensure a continuum of care.
Meticulously document all client interactions, interventions, court appearances, and progress updates in a confidential case management system (e.g., Salesforce, ETO) in a timely and accurate manner.
Prepare clear, concise, and professional written reports, progress notes, and formal recommendations for judges, defense attorneys, and prosecutors.
Provide direct crisis intervention and de-escalation for clients experiencing acute distress, connecting them immediately to emergency services or appropriate levels of care.
Educate and empower clients to navigate complex legal and social service systems, helping them understand court mandates and access their entitled benefits and services.
Monitor and document client compliance with court-ordered conditions, treatment plans, and program requirements, providing supportive accountability.
Advocate directly on behalf of clients to overcome systemic barriers related to housing applications, employment opportunities, and access to healthcare.
Facilitate psycho-educational or life skills groups for clients on topics such as tenancy rights, financial literacy, and effective communication.
Collect, manage, and analyze program data to track key performance indicators, measure outcomes, and fulfill reporting requirements for funders and stakeholders.
Testify in court proceedings, when required, to provide expert information regarding a client's engagement, progress in treatment, and suitability for program continuation.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the development and delivery of training programs for law enforcement, court staff, and community partners on topics related to trauma-informed care and diversion programs.
Contribute to grant writing and reporting efforts by providing qualitative narratives, client success stories, and programmatic data that demonstrate program impact.
Participate in community outreach events and inter-agency meetings to promote program services and build a robust referral network.
Support program evaluation activities by collecting client feedback, tracking long-term outcomes, and suggesting process improvements based on frontline experience.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Case Management Software: Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) or case management databases such as Salesforce, Apricot, or similar platforms for documentation and reporting.
Criminal Justice System Knowledge: Deep understanding of court processes, legal terminology, and the roles of various actors within the criminal legal system (e.g., public defenders, district attorneys, probation).
Clinical Assessment: Experience administering and interpreting clinical and risk assessment tools (e.g., LSI-R, ASI, GAIN-SS) to inform service planning.
Data & Reporting: Ability to accurately collect, enter, and analyze client data to generate reports on demographics, services, and outcomes.
Microsoft Office Suite: Strong proficiency in Word for report writing, Excel for data tracking, and Outlook for professional communication.

Soft Skills

Crisis De-escalation & Intervention: Proven ability to remain calm and effectively respond to individuals in acute emotional or psychological distress.
Empathy & Cultural Competency: A profound ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds with non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and culturally humble approaches.
Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for effectively engaging with clients, judges, attorneys, and service providers.
Advocacy & Persuasion: Skill in persuasively advocating for a client's needs and for systemic changes in various professional settings, including courtrooms.
Resilience & Boundary Setting: The ability to manage the emotional demands of the work, practice self-care, and maintain firm professional boundaries with clients and partners.
Problem-Solving & Resourcefulness: A creative and persistent approach to identifying solutions and navigating complex bureaucratic systems to meet client needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW), Criminal Justice, Psychology, Public Administration, or a related human services field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work
Criminal Justice / Criminology
Psychology or Counseling
Sociology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years

Preferred:

At least three (3) years of direct service experience providing case management or counseling to justice-involved individuals, or populations experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, or substance use disorders.
Verifiable experience working within or in close collaboration with court systems, law enforcement, or correctional facilities.
Lived experience with the criminal justice, mental health, or substance use recovery systems is highly valued.