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.
Queens Community Justice Center (QCJC)
Queens Community Justice Center (QCJC) operates an array of programming for local youth, with a particular focus on engaging those with justice involvement. Current initiatives include Youth Impact (peer-led restorative youth diversion program), an alternative-to-detention program, an alternative to incarceration program, workforce development initiatives, a trauma-informed, survivor-centered program for youth who are at risk of commercial sexual exploitation, and several mentorship programs. By offering positive pro-social programming for young people, QCJC aims to stop the cycle of delinquency and crime for adolescents and reduce reliance on detention. The comprehensive programming offers all participating young people leadership development and service opportunities designed to promote positive engagement in their communities.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Queens Community Justice Center is seeking to hire a Community Engagement Specialist for a community-based violence prevention program that aims to reduce violent recidivism through intensive and voluntary therapeutic services. This program is part of the Atlas initiative and uses the evidence-based Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model to engage young people and their families in holistic anti-violence services.
Atlas works to prevent violence by meeting people during a crisis, like a recent arrest or open court case and connecting them to a change process that nurtures hope and strengthens relationships. As part of Atlas, CBO is offering FFT to young people at elevated risk for violence in the community, victimization, or a re-arrest. FFT is an evidence-based intervention for youth and families. This high-quality, strength-focused family counseling model is designed for high-risk youth and young adults who have been referred by the criminal court, juvenile justice, mental health, school, or child welfare systems. Services are short-term and typically offered in the home, though services can be offered in the office or other community settings.
The Queens Community Justice Center is seeking a Community Engagement Specialist for Atlas Functional Family therapy (FFT) team. This position will report to the Justice Center’s Clinical Supervisor. The Community Engagement Specialist will be primarily responsible for conducting initial outreach in the community in multiple ways, including in-person. The Community Engagement Specialist is the first and primary point of contact for potential referral partners. The Community Engagement Specialist will also assist with connecting potential clients with voluntary therapeutic programming and resources.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Conduct outreach activities with the community to build strong relationships with community-based organizations to develop referral partnerships;
- Engage with the community including attending evening and weekend community events, conducting outreach, and supporting borough-based initiatives;
- Collaborate with the Clinical Supervisor and FFT therapists on client engagement planning;
- Provide crisis intervention and support to program participants, as needed;
- Engage with participants' families and other close connections; provide supportive services and referrals for participants’ families, as needed;
- Attend required staff meetings and trainings;
- Perform additional relevant tasks as needed.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a
- HS Diploma required and at least 2 years of experience in youth development work within the juvenile justice system;
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office;
- Experience with the criminal justice system as a returning citizen from a Department of Corrections or House of Corrections in any state. Cannot currently be under any form of supervision. At least 1 year from release or disposition, desired;
- Experience working with and/or mentoring high-risk populations;
- Understanding of pre-trial or re-entry programming and the needs of citizens who have committed or are at high risk- of committing a violent felony offense;
- Understanding of and/or personal experience with the criminal justice system, substance use disorder, homelessness, unemployment, and self-motivation;
- Strong ability to make connections to educational, vocational, internship/apprenticeships, and employment opportunities;
- Knowledge of career exploration, case management, internships, and job search strategies is a plus but not required;
- Must be able to provide references.
Position Type: Full-time, must be willing to work weekend and evening hours as required.
Position Location: Queens, NY
Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $24.36 - $29.24 per hour based on a 35-hour work week and is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for overtime at 1.5x the hourly rate above 40 hours per week. 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.