Help youth and families in the justice system – MSW intern or volunteer – Community Justice Services
| Application or Registration Deadline: | 04/30/2025 |
| Project Start Date: | Wed, April 30, 2025 12:00 am |
| Project End Date: | Thu, April 30, 2026 12:00 am |
| Opportunity Type: | Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity |
| Department: | Community Services |
| Category: | Criminal Justice and Public Safety |
| Time Commitment & Minimum Age: | 8 hours/week, 6-month min. commitment - Must be 21 |
| Location: | Boulder Justice Center Community Justice Services 1777 6th St., Boulder and in the community |
| Program Summary: | The Family Navigator (FN) and now the Compass volunteer or intern provides a friendly and supportive face, resource access, and knowledge about the judicial process for families during all phases of a youth’s involvement in the justice system (which typically lasts about six months). Some clients come from mono-lingual Spanish-speaking families and appreciate additional cultural support. All families appreciate someone taking time to explain the bureaucracy and court processes which can move quickly during court dates. The ideal candidate will be able to keep up with the unpredictable nature of the family’s response and have flexibility in the pace of providing services with respect, compassion, good communication and effective personal connection. |
| Duties and Responsibilities: | -Meet with clients during their court date, Monday, Wednesday, and/or Friday. (Schedule will be mutually agreed upon prior to start). Be a supportive listening ear, answering questions about the system and the role the family will have during the youth client’s interaction with the justice system. Use affirmation and de-escalation techniques to allow for effective interaction with clients. -After training and shadowing, the Compass will assist clients with applications such as Medicaid, food assistance, housing assistance, and any other community resources that may be identified while in court. -Build relationships with community resource providers to improve access to resources such as childcare assistance, emergency clothing or food, employment training, elder services, mental health services, etc. -There is no rigid schedule during your shift. These examples are not a comprehensive list of tasks, and there will always be something interesting and important to do for clients and staff! Flexibility in what can be achieved on any given day is an important trait in our staff, interns or volunteers. |
| Qualifications and Requirements: | Although better suited to a first-year graduate student in a Master of Social Work program, we will happily consider a college senior or non-traditional student who has taken coursework in psychology, youth development, criminal justice, de-escalation and other social or human services-oriented coursework. We also encourage mature community members with experience in crisis management, therapy, social work and other related fields to apply. -Spanish speaker preferred. -Demonstrated maturity, good boundaries, cultural awareness, and solid communication skills. -Minimum 6-month commitment -Minimum 8 hours of service each week, (two 4-hour shifts or 1 day, Monday-Friday). -Minimum age 21. Valid driver’s license and current insurance preferred (for potential use in transportation later). -Screening interview, then formal interview if merited. Agree to background check and fingerprinting. -Sign confidentiality agreement and other county policies. -Experience or interest in de-escalation, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed work is preferred. -Attend trainings and orientations. Understand the Boulder County Justice System courts, partners and processes. -Have some flexibility in schedule to attend court dates with staff and clients on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. -Be passionate about equity for all clients. |
| Training Dates and Information: | Training and shadowing to be discussed individually with the supervisor to accommodate your class or work schedule and the needs of the program.
|
| Additional Information: | We cannot honor requests for shorter engagements or summer internships. The complexity of the program requires at least 6 months. If mutually agreed upon, you may extend the engagement. We respect and encourage involvement by students and community residents. Our Family Navigator was awarded a NACO award for his dynamic involvement and connection with his clients. We hope to find someone who is equally passionate, curious, and driven to assist him in helping families understand and successfully maneuver through the system. |
| Contact: | Mary Eldred jsvp@bouldercounty.gov 303-441-3718 |
| Application Process: | If you meet the basic requirements of this position, please send Mary an email inquiry to jsvp@bouldercounty.gov. Let us know why you’d like to consider this internship or volunteer position. You will receive instructions and online link to the application form. Once you submit the form with all required information and resume, your references will be contacted and a background check run. When all documents are received, a decision will be made to forward your information to the supervisor who will take appropriate next steps. An interview may follow. If you are offered the position and accept, you will be fingerprinted and begin the onboarding process. You will learn about the BEST and Family Navigator relationship to system partners and CJS. Shadowing and hands-on learning will begin and, as you progress in competency, you will be given more responsibilities concerning clients and their families.
|