PARDON COORDINATOR

COUNTY OF LEHIGH
PARDON COORDINATOR/Part-Time
Office of the Public Defender

Description:
The Pardon Coordinator will provide case management, coaching and support to individuals who have a criminal background with the overarching goal of obtaining a pardon from the Governor for crimes committed in Pennsylvania. Work closely with community partners to empower clients to clear their criminal background to thrive as active participants in the community. The Pardon Coordinator will make outreach to communities impacted by criminal records and organizations serving them, and inform and recruit additional community organization partners not yet involved in the pardon process. This role will also participate in periodic meetings of the Lehigh County Pardon Project and of the statewide Pardon Project as a member of the Pardon Project Steering Committee.

Responsibilities:

1. Pardon Coaching:
   Learn the pardon process and application to assist (coach) people with criminal records apply for a pardon and to teach others how to become a Pardon Coach.
2. Intake: Utilize Eligibility Criteria to determine whether individuals can be accepted into the Pardon Project of Lehigh County, interfacing with the District Attorney's Office as needed.
3. Obtain records from the Clerk of Court for those who are accepted, and provide information for those who are not.
4. Case Management and Reporting:
   Refer clients to Pardon Coaches, and monitor referrals to ensure completion of application.
5. Participant information, as well as case updates, will be centralized in an internal tracking system and spreadsheets.
6. Providing updates as needed to the PA Association of Pardon Projects.
7. Community Outreach:
   Reply to all emails sent to the email address for the Pardon Project of Lehigh County.
8. Explain criminal records, expungements, "Clean Slate," commutations and pardons when and as needed, and host information sessions (by zoom and otherwise).
9. Serve as a "trusted messenger" about pardons to individuals with criminal records in PA.
10. Enlist community nonprofits to serve as Pardon Hubs.
11. Identify and Train Pardon Coaches.

Requirements:
• Must have reliable form of transportation and be able to travel to community meetings, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Must be self-motivated, committed and dependable.
• Candidate should demonstrate superior communication, presentation and organizational skills.
• Candidate should demonstrate computer literacy and be proficient in using basic software and navigating the internet, including use of Zoom.

Qualifications:
• Passion for working with this clientele and making an impact.
• Positive, energetic, "can-do" attitude, and great people skills.
• Willing and able to take on all different types of responsibilities.
• Can operate independently and demonstrate strong team/collaboration skills.
• Detail-oriented, good follow-up skills, and able to work well under deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Prior experience (personally or professionally) in the criminal justice system; strong preference for someone whose criminal record is publicly available via the internet.

Interested applicants must submit a completed County application, resume and cover letter for consideration. The appointing Authority will directly contact those applicants they are interested in as potential candidates for this position.