Job Description

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we’ve worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

1. Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
2. Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and
3. Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond.

Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide.
Learn more about our work at www.innovatingjustice.org

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Center for Justice Innovation is a non-profit organization that works to create a more effective and humane justice system by performing original research and helping launch reforms by guiding justice innovators, nationally and internationally. The Center creates operating projects that have been documented to reduce the use of jail and prison, assist victims of crime, and strengthen communities.

Launched in 1993, the award-winning Midtown Community Justice Center is one of the country’s first problem- solving courts. It provides alternatives to fines and jail as a response to low-level crime. Seeking to reduce crime and incarceration and increase public trust in justice, the Midtown Community Justice Center works with neighborhood stakeholders to improve Midtown Manhattan, and to serve the vibrant Midtown community, specifically those in need of services. The court responds creatively to low-level offending, seeking sentences that are restorative to the victim, defendant, and community. Further, the Midtown staff engages in ongoing community engagement events to promote community wellness and to help connect people, in need, to voluntary services.

The Midtown Community Justice Center is seeking a Program Manager to oversee the Youth P.A.C.T (Positively Advancing in Community Together), a citywide diversion program for teenagers arrested for gun possession. Youth P.A.C.T aims to address the root causes of gun carrying and violence identify supportive and protective factors for its young participants. The program provides a forum for young people and their loved ones to improve mutual understanding and communication, while facilitating connections to critical community-based resources. Using a restorative justice framework, the program includes two components over roughly 12 weeks: One-on-one sessions and restorative circles.

Reporting to MCJC’s Project Director and CJI’s Senior Program Manager for Restorative Practices, the Program Manager's responsibilities will include program administration and coordination, iterating on the Youth P.A.C.T program model in collaboration with team members, supervising a Restorative Case Manager, providing case management services to young people and families, facilitating restorative justice processes, and liaising with the Law Department, Family Court, other CJI sites, and community stakeholders. Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Youth P.A.C.T program planning and oversight, iterating on policies and procedures, implementing systems, and developing curricula;
• Manage all aspects of the Youth P.A.C.T program, including referrals, data tracking, partner relationships, reporting to funders, reporting to Family Court and/or Family Law Department, and/or assigned defense counsel;
• Carry out day-to-day program operations, including participant outreach, screenings/assessments, intake, scheduling, space reservations, and monitoring completion of program requirements;
• Conduct comprehensive restorative justice screenings for all referrals and design individual intervention plans for accepted youth;
• As needed, provide connections to long-term mental health care services to young participants;
• Supervise a Restorative Case Manager and support with building referral relationships with community-based providers;
• As needed, join weekly sessions with youth participants to prepare for restorative circle(s);
• Support youth participant’s family, caregivers, and larger supportive community and prepare them for circles;
• Conduct support circles with parents and caregivers of adolescents and establish a peer network among caregivers;
• As needed, travel to neighborhood-based CJI sites, or community-based organizations to hold weekly engagement sessions and community support circles with youth participants and their families;

• Participate in staff meetings, team-building exercises, trainings, and site visits;
• Participate in evening and weekend community meetings, events, and programming, as needed; and;
• Perform other relevant duties, including coverage and support, as needed to support the Midtown Community Justice Center and Center for Justice Innovation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Experience working with youth and families;
• Bi-lingual Spanish preferred;
• Experience with young adult social services programming required;
• Knowledge of restorative practices and at least two years’ experience in circle facilitation;
• Experience with harm reduction, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive practice required;
• Candidates must be willing and able to work collaboratively with colleagues and a variety of court personnel and partner agencies in a high-pressure/fast-paced work environment. Court-based social work is an incredibly unique and demanding area of practice, and candidates must be open to constructive engagement with differing and, at times, competing perspectives.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Knowledge of community-based resources throughout New York City;
• Experience and/or comfort working with both adolescents and adults;
• Strong organizational and time management skills;
• A creative self-starter, who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment; and;
• Experience and commitment to creating, promoting, and maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and anti-racist work environment;

Position Type: Full time, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with some evening and weekend hours required; subject to change due to program needs.

Position Location: New York, NY

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $68,485 - $88,065 and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: 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 committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on 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 welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our goal is to create a supportive and respectful environment where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and included.

At this time, the Center is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Candidates are expected to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the hiring process. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of material facts may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of an offer, or termination of employment, regardless of when discovered.

In compliance with federal law, all hires must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment verification form upon hire. Please refer to the job posting for relevant contact information. If contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.