LEAD Project Manager

LEAD Project Manager Job Description

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Let Everyone Advance with Dignity/Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is an evidence-based method of coordinating law enforcement, justice system and human services responses to people who commit law violations as a result of behavioral health challenges and/or extreme poverty LEAD arose from the effort to reduce racial disparity in Seattle drug enforcement, but also, from neighborhood frustrations with the outcome when jail and prosecution alone were the primary tools brought to bear on street level disorder. The goal of LEAD is to reduce law violations by participants, though use of harm reduction-based case management, prolonged engagement and unparalleled coordination among justice system, law enforcement, human services and neighborhood partners.  

The Public Defender Association (PDA), the program manager of LEAD in Seattle/King County, is a non-profit organization that advocates for justice system reform and develops alternatives that shift from a punishment paradigm to a system that supports individual and community health. We also provide technical assistance to community partners who are committed to these goals.

We advance justice system reform and alternative practices and policy through several core programs and policy initiatives, including:

• Let Everyone Advance with Dignity/Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD): LEAD connects those who engage in low-level law violations, because of unmet behavioral needs or extreme poverty, into wrap-around case management services in order to address the underlying cause for this behavior. Individuals approved for LEAD receive immediate access to harm reduction based intensive case-management. Working with their case managers, participants develop an individualized plan identifying the types of services most relevant for them including, but not limited to: Housing, Employment, Legal Issues, Family Reconnection, Reducing Drug Use/Access to Medication Assisted Treatment, Mental Healthcare, and other Physical Healthcare needs. Law enforcement or community can refer individuals. PDA is the program manager for the flagship LEAD program in Seattle-King County, and provides technical support for jurisdictions nationally and internationally that want to replicate LEAD through our LEAD Support Bureau.

• LEAD Support Bureau (LSB): the LEAD Support Bureau provides technical support around the US and internationally for implementation of LEAD-aligned programs. Over 80 communities nationally are working to apply LEAD core principles to shift to community-based care rather than jail and prosecution whenever appropriate. The Washington State LEAD Technical Support Team is providing comprehensive technical assistance across Washington State for the state's Recovery Navigator Program, established by the Washington legislature to offer services in lieu of arrest and prosecution statewide, based on LEAD core principles.

• Voices of Community Activists and Leaders – Washington (VOCAL-WA): VOCAL-WA builds power among low- and no-income people directly affected by the war on drugs, homelessness, mass incarceration, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic to create healthy and just communities for all.

• System Reform: In the spirit of our four decade history as a public defense office committed to system reform, the current incarnation of the Public Defender Association continues to do policy advocacy, litigation, public education and organizing on issues that systemically affect people who are or are likely to be engaged by the justice system. This work includes efforts such as the campaign for safe consumption spaces in Seattle/King County. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The available LEAD Project Manager (1.0 FTE) position would be engaged in the program management of PDA’s local LEAD work, and would entail collaboration with law enforcement, case managers, prosecutors, neighborhood and community leaders.

This Project Manager position is FLSA-exempt. Work outside of normal business hours is expected. Travel throughout Seattle will be required, and some travel outside Seattle may be required. This Project Management position will report directly to Seattle/King County LEAD Program Director, Tiarra Dearbone, and would work under the overall guidance of PDA Co-Director, Tara Moss.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The LEAD Project Manager will be managing day-to-day maintenance and troubleshooting of LEAD operations in a designated area; this position will function as a part of the LEAD Project Management Team under direction of the LEAD Program Director to focus on developing LEAD program evolution to match current community needs, drive the evolution of LEAD service provision to best support participant needs, while also addressing public health and safety concerns. In addition, the team will build community stakeholder relationships to help ensure a broad multigenerational public safety and public health support system that is community based, and identify points of advocacy within LEAD. 

• Project Management: Day to day maintenance and troubleshooting of LEAD in existing areas of operation or as implemented in new jurisdictions, as assigned by the LEAD Program Director;
• Management of Regular Operational Workgroup (OWG) Meeting and Process: Facilitation of the (currently monthly) OWG with key operational partners in LEAD. LEAD partners use OWGs to share information about program participants’ situation and progress, discuss referral criteria, program capacity and compliance with the LEAD protocol, and to focus the attention of LEAD program staff and law enforcement in particular areas viewed with concern by neighborhood representatives;
• Community Education and Engagement: Educate community members (including individuals, businesses, community groups, and social service providers) on how LEAD works and potential ways to engage with the program in their community. Work with community groups to understand current public health and public safety needs within their community;

• Program Implementation: Coordinate with city stakeholders (including law enforcement, service providers, city prosecutor’s office, businesses and other community safety advocates) to design and implement LEAD within their communities;
• Support other projects in the LEAD family of programs including Co-LEAD and JustCARE
• From time to time, there will be involvement in other work of PDA such as other police reform advocacy to development of other diversion and justice system reform initiatives and other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to LEAD’s core principles
• Knowledge of Seattle communities city-wide 
• Ability to proactively identify and engage new potential partnerships and important community members
• Ability to clearly communicate core principles and support and advise others with less experience in harm reduction-based social work
• Understanding of behavioral health conditions, substance use disorder, client-centered care and harm reduction strategies
• Experience coordinating meetings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated individual who has strong interpersonal, public speaking and problem-solving skills; interest in working as a member of a team and in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is essential
• Candidates must have demonstrated interest in criminal justice, homelessness, and/or drug policy reform and a willingness to approach these issues with a racial justice analysis
• Experience and knowledge of local homeless services and housing systems is preferred
• Experience or familiarity with community and human services dynamics and public safety/order issues in Seattle communities is valuable in this position
• Commitment to the mission and approach of the Public Defender Association
• Basic computer skills, including ability to use the internet, email (Google platforms that are used at PDA), word processing (e.g. Microsoft Word), spreadsheets (e.g. Excel), and video conferencing platforms including Zoom, are required.

COMPENSATION

The starting salary is $69,576-$108,966 annually, depending on experience, with a scale with up to 10 annual step increases effective on the anniversary date, and annual cost of living increase at Board discretion. Benefits include up to 4% 401k match after six months employment, plus annual profit sharing of (typically) 2% more in office 401k contribution; generous medical and dental benefits for employees and family members; three weeks of vacation accrued annually to start, increasing over time to 4 weeks annually; an unlimited ORCA public transit card; and other benefits.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The Public Defender Association is an equal opportunity employer. People of color and people who are formerly incarcerated or homeless, or frequently subject to law enforcement focus, HIV-positive, women and/or LGBTQIA+ are strongly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter and résumé to Tiarra Dearbone, tiarra.dearbone@defender.org. In the subject line, please put “LEAD Project Manager [Your Name]”. No phone calls please.

The position will remain open until filled. Note: Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.