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.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Staten Island Justice Center offers an array of programming for both youth and adults in Staten Island, focusing on engaging those with current or past justice involvement or at-risk of justice-involvement. SIJC operates diversion, alternative to detention and incarceration, supervised release, reentry, mental health & wellness, workforce development, peer-led restorative justice and leadership development programs.
SIJC is seeking a Client Engagement Coordinator who will provide clinical services, coordination and support to participants from the Justice Center’s Transformative Reentry Initiative (TRI). TRI works collaboratively with community partners, individuals, and families to support individuals impacted by incarceration and the justice system. SIJC utilizes an approach that is culturally responsive and is centered on the principles of equitable access, participation, and leadership. The goal is to facilitate access to resources and opportunities that empowers individuals, families, and communities to actualize and sustain successful reintegration into society.
Reporting to the Reentry Program Manager, the Client Engagement Coordinator is responsible for supporting the day-to-day clinical operations, providing direct support to the Reentry Social Worker and two Engagement Specialists and providing case management to program participants. In addition, the Client Engagement Coordinator will be responsible for supporting community outreach efforts to raise awareness about TRI and to identify additional community-based resources for program participants.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Oversee and serve as backup for clinical operations including intakes, assessments, case management services, and service referrals to individuals;
- Lead community engagement for recruitment efforts and to raise community awareness about program services and opportunities;
- Establish and maintain strong relationships through networking and advocacy with local stakeholders on a variety of program service needs for participants including housing, mental health, employment, food security, domestic violence, substance use support and harm reduction services;
- Create and maintain community resource bank and coordinate with community-based service providers to facilitate, follow-up, and assist participants with voluntary service referrals;
- Provide coverage support to Reentry Social Worker and Engagement Specialists as needed;
- Serve as backup crisis intervention and de-escalation, as needed;
- Oversee documentation of program data and successful participant outcomes;
- Collaborate closely with Reentry Program Manager on client engagement strategies;
- Participate in SIJC all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities;
- Spearhead events and special initiatives at SIJC and in the community;
- Attend and engage in SIJC and community activities including attending evening and weekend events, and supporting borough-based initiatives;
- Available after hours or on weekends, as needed;
- Other activities and duties, as needed.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree OR equivalent experience with an additional 2-3 years of equivalent experience in case management and community outreach, preferably with justice impacted population. Lived experience with the justice system and/or interactions with other systems (i.e. housing, foster care, etc.) and an understanding of how to navigate them strongly preferred.Candidate must be interested in working with justice involved individuals and providing services in a strengths-based manner. Candidate must be a skilled communicator, able to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with organizations, both onsite and in the community. Maturity, reliability, excellent judgment and sensitivity to working with people in a culturally-responsive manner required. SIJC is seeking a self-starter who can successfully be part of a diverse workforce and get things done in a fast-paced environment. Knowledge of community-based resources in Staten Island preferred. Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred. Valid driver’s license in good standing strongly preferred.
Position Type: Full-time, must be able to work nights or weekends, as needed.
Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $55,410 - $72,090 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Court Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.
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.