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 OPPOPRTUNITY
The Center for Court Innovation has operated an Upstate New York office in Syracuse, New York, since 2004. The Upstate New York Office assists in the development of court and community-based justice initiatives and provides technical assistance to existing problem-solving courts throughout Upstate New York. Current initiatives include the Syracuse Peacemaking Project, the Parent Support Program, the Madison County MORE Project, and Cities RISE, as well as the planning and implementation of projects that seek to improve how the court system handles defendants with mental health issues, veterans, juveniles, human trafficking victims, elder abuse victims, and infants in the family court system.
The Upstate New York Office is seeking a Deputy Project Director for its growing portfolio of projects across Upstate New York. Reporting to the Upstate Project Director, the Deputy Project Director will assist in overseeing existing projects and in planning, developing, and implementing new projects in the criminal, civil and family court systems.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Process requests for training and technical assistance from courts and partner agencies throughout Upstate New York;
- Provide logistical support to community-based initiatives that impact court-involved individuals;
- Represent the Center for Court Innovation on local committees and task forces;
- Deliver training and technical assistance to courts and justice-system partners;
- Develop and deliver presentations at conferences and training events;
- Supervise staff, interns and volunteers;
- Manage staff relations to promote teamwork and provide support to ensure that staff achieve program goals and objectives;
- Conduct staff reviews and performance evaluations;
- Assist with staff recruitment and training;
- Identify potential staff development and training needs;
- Identify funding opportunities to support the Center’s work in Upstate New York;
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the Syracuse office when the Director is away;
- Assist in the drafting and editing of grant proposals;
- Prepare, edit and submit grant reports; and
- Additional responsibilities as needed.
Qualifications: A Juris Doctorate or an advanced degree in a relevant field is required with a minimum of five years of experience working in or with the justice system, with an emphasis on criminal justice, family law, or juvenile justice. Excellent writing skills are a must. Specific experience developing and/or running new and innovative programs, supervising staff or interns, and working in a multi-disciplinary and creative setting are preferred. The position will be located in downtown Syracuse. The Deputy Project Director must be a skilled communicator able to maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations, extremely organized, and able to juggle multiple projects and deadlines at one time.
Position Type: Full-time, Grant based. The standard work week is 35 hours, Monday through Friday.
Position Location: Downtown, Syracuse
Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $93,610 - 109,460 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.