The Organization
The Center for Court Innovation is committed to reducing crime and incarceration, addressing violence, supporting survivors, and building communities while strengthening public trust in justice. The Center seeks justice for marginalized groups, bringing an equity lens – particularly a racial and gender equity lens – to its work. For 25 years, the Center has worked to foster justice and equity to create safe, healthy, and thriving communities and, ultimately, to transform the justice system.
The Center is an 800-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn’t), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world.
Operating Programs
The Center’s operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Court, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.
Research
Researchers at the Center conduct independent evaluations, documenting how government systems work, how neighborhoods function, and how reform efforts change things. We believe in the “action research” model; accordingly, our researchers provide regular feedback on the results of the Center’s own operating programs. The Center has published studies on topics including youth in the sex trade, reentry, gun violence, and drug treatment as an alternative to incarceration. Our researchers have been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals.
Policy & Expert Assistance
The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area.
Neighbors In Actions (NIA)
Neighbors In Action (NIA) is a unique neighborhood institution that works to improve community problem solving, collaboration, and inter-group relations in Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Operating out of a storefront since 1998, Neighbors in Action provides anti-violence programs, youth programs, and resource links to community residents. Its mission is to encourage communication and understanding, prevent future conflicts, and help foster stronger, healthier neighborhoods with a focus on people who have been failed by multiple systems.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Neighbors in Action is seeking a Program Coordinator for the Children’s Center, which is one of three Administration for Children's Services (ACS) sites. The Program Coordinator position will report to the Youth Program Manager. The Program Coordinator will work individually and as a team to plan and implement interventions to reduce violence and conflict within the facility. The Program Coordinator will also supervise the Outreach Worker and provide task supervision and coordination for social work interns, fellows, and volunteers.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Oversee NIA Youth programming within Children’s Services (ACS) sites including youth internships, arts programming, credential programs and other youth engagement programs;
- Work closely with the Program Manager, Youth Programs (NIA) to integrate restorative practices into daily interactions between Children’s Center staff and youth;
- Report any issues, updates, needs, concerns and supports as well as inform of all relevant information;
- Supervise and support program staff including Outreach Workers, interns and volunteers;
- Create innovative outreach and youth engagement strategies;
- Provide individual and group mentoring sessions for youth placed at the Children’s Center;
- Plan and facilitate regular pro-social engagement activities for the Children’s Center youth;
- Implement Cure Violence model to identify conflict within the community that might spill over into the facility;
- Attend court appearances with Children’s Center residents, as necessary;
- Participate in special events for the Children’s Center youth;
- Maintain administrative responsibilities including but not limited to completing participant case notes, stipend logs, permission slip documents, etc.;
- Maintain program records, data entry, and an organized physical work environment including secure storage and maintenance of program supplies and equipment;
- Organize and facilitate professional development meetings and program planning sessions to ensure smooth implementation of ongoing programs;
- Contribute to grant applications, fundraising initiatives, written reports, program evaluations, grant proposals, and funder visits;
- Coordinate social media coverage of program activities and accomplishments;
- Attend (and occasionally facilitate) NIA, Center for Court Innovation, and ACS trainings, meetings and conferences as assigned by supervisors;
- Represent Neighbors in Action at stakeholder and community meetings, events, panels, technical assistance visits, and other speaking engagements;
- Support other ACS contracts as needed (Horizon Detention Center and Close to Home);
- Participate in additional NIA tasks and activities, as necessary;
- Perform other duties, as assigned.
Position Type: Full-time, evenings and weekends. Schedule may be flexible, changing, and include late nights, over nights, holidays and weekends.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree with a minimum of three years of experience in youth work, deep connection to the court involved youth, and experience with program planning and development, knowledge of mental health illness and understanding of psychosocial triggers, strengths and personal needs OR a total of five years of experience as mentioned above. Excellent written skills are a must. Experience providing group and individual mentoring with youth preferred. Experience in a fast-paced environment is preferred. The ideal candidate should have an understanding of trauma and trauma reactions in individuals. Candidates must be a skilled communicator able to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community. Candidate must be able to walk 30 blocks or more on a regular basis, pass a drug screening, and work a flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Must be willing to work in inclement weather.
- Previous experience facilitating restorative justice-based programming, and/or a familiarity with principles of restorative justice, preferred;
- Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally-competent manner;
- Comfort working with adolescents;
- Resides in or is familiar with the Brooklyn community;
- Knowledge of community-based resources throughout New York City preferred;
- ACS knowledge or experience;
- A self-starter who can successfully be part of a diverse workforce and get things done in a fast-paced environment;
Compensation: Hourly rate begins at $30.45 per hour and is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for overtime at 1.5x the hourly rate above 40 hours per week. Center for Court Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive health, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long term disability, and life insurance. All healthcare benefits are effective on the date of hire. Paid time off includes 20 days of paid vacation per year, 15 paid sick days, Flexible Spending Account plans for health and dependent care, commuter FSA and offers a 10% employer match on the 403(b) retirement plan.
The Center for Court Innovation is an equal opportunity employer. The Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system.
As of September 9, 2021, all new hires are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for medical, disability or religious reasons by the Center’s Human Resources Department.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. No phone calls please.