THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways—by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.

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

The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.

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 (SIJC), a program of the Center for Justice Innovation, 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.

The Staten Island Justice Center is seeking a Social Worker, Youth & Community Justice. Reporting to the Director of Community Initiatives, the Social Worker will provide clinical services to SIJC’s youth participants from the Youth & Family Programs department and SIJC’s adult participants from the Reentry Program. The Social Worker will develop and oversee all clinical activities—including intakes, assessments, individual sessions, and group workshops. The Social Worker will work individually and with a team to engage participants and their support networks in restorative practices and to navigate system stressors and family dynamics.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct intakes and assessments for participants in collaboration with Program Managers and Family Engagement Coordinator;
• Provide comprehensive, trauma-informed, individual counseling to youth and adults as needed;
• Create engagement and aftercare plans for participants in collaboration with Program Managers and Family Engagement Coordinator;
• Engage participant’s support system—such as family members, neighborhood supports, and school staff—and provide case management services as needed;
• Provide voluntary referrals to community-based services in order to address health, school, employment, housing, and food security needs and maintain communication with service providers to ensure appropriate follow-up;
• Provide 24/7 crisis management services as part of a rotating on-call schedule;
• Utilize online databases to track participant activities and outcomes;
• Participate in SIJC all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities;
• Spearhead events and special initiatives at SIJC and in the community;
• Attend SIJC events or community meetings after hours or on weekends;
• Perform additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) or an equivalent Master’s level counseling degree and a minimum of two years working in reentry and youth development. The candidate must be an LMSW, LCSW, or LMHC or be eligible for licensure in the State of New York within 90 days of hire. Candidates will have experience providing trauma-informed services to young people and families and the ability to provide crisis management services. Strong knowledge of community resources in the North Shore of Staten Island, the juvenile justice system, reentry, and restorative justice practices are a plus. Candidates must be willing and able to work collaboratively with a variety of partner agencies in a high-pressure/fast paced work environment. Good judgment, excellent communication, and organizational abilities are a must for this role. For this role, candidates must be able to seek direction and advice when necessary and will have a strong ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work. Candidate must not have any pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence. Car and driver’s license a plus. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with technology and video platforms such as Zoom.

Position Type: Full-time, in-person position working 5 days per week. Candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule including evenings, holidays and weekends.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $56,500 - $63,820 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice 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 Justice 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 or emails please.

ROrR1FhqLK