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 Queens Community Justice Center, launched in 2007, runs a diverse portfolio of programs for justice-involved youth, young adults and their families. Programming includes alternative-to-detention programs and leadership, clinical, workforce development, gender responsive and family support initiatives. The Justice Center incorporates evidence-based methods for working with high-risk youth, including positive youth development and restorative justice principles, into its programming. Ultimately, the goal of the Justice Center is to provide off-ramps from the justice system, to help participants lead a more meaningful life, and to increase public safety.
Project Reset Queens is a pre-arraignment diversion program that seeks to forge a new response to low-level offending that is proportionate, effective, and humane. Project Reset seeks to hold people accountable for their actions while avoiding the use of incarceration and the potential harms associated with the traditional criminal justice process. The goal is to restore confidence in justice and bolster the legitimacy of law enforcement in the eyes of the public, helping to mend relations between the community and the justice system.
Queens Community Justice Center is seeking a Coordinator for Project Reset. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Coordinator will lead psychoeducational groups and restorative justice-based circles for participants engaged in programming with Queens Community Justice Center. Restorative justice-based circles bring people together charged with misdemeanor offenses and volunteers in the community to discuss the impact of these crimes and how to make amends. By involving community members in the local administration of justice, circles aim to give voice to community concerns, build new social connections, and restore confidence in the justice system. The Coordinator will provide one-on-one case management to program participants. The Coordinator may also be called upon to provide general support needed for program participants and QCJC operations.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Assist with planning, identifying, and attending community and police precinct events (evenings and weekends) throughout Queens to provide program information;
- Maintain partnerships with community-based agencies that provide voluntary services to participants;
- Maintain appropriate client information in electronic databases and hard files;
- Conduct follow up with participants to provide additional voluntary referrals, if requested;
- Preparing letters of program completion for participants;
- Maintain accurate enrollment records in the Center's internal electronic case management tool and the Project Reset case processing system shared with project partners;
- Contact potential participants (via the phone and/or mail) to schedule them for programming and conduct an initial intake/screening;
- Explain program requirements and expectations to participants;
- Facilitate on-site and virtual group programming and restorative justice-based circles;
- Other relevant tasks, as necessary.
- Assist with maintaining and updating resource guide;
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and site visits, as needed;
- Maintain organized records of outreach attempts, daily attendance sheets, completion, and other project details;
- Assist with other Queens Community Justice Center Initiatives (such as the Alternative to Incarceration program) intakes, screenings, group facilitation, and other tasks, as needed;
- Complete rescheduling of services for participants both in-person and on the phone;
- Attend Queens Community Justice Center events in evenings and on weekends, as needed;
- Contact participants to remind them of upcoming dates/programs and encourage attendance;
- Coordinate with service providers to facilitate, follow-up, and assist participants with voluntary service referrals;
- Provide case management services to program participants that address issues such as substance use, mental health, trauma, and educational and vocational needs;
- Assist with the development and implementation of new programs, initiatives, and or interventions;
- Determine whether a potential participant is suitable for group-based work or merits additional screening and/or an individual session;
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and three years of group facilitation experience, preferably with court-involved population. Previous experience facilitating restorative justice-based programming, and/or a familiarity with principles of restorative justice, preferred. Candidate must be a self-starter who can successfully be part of a diverse workforce and get things done in a fast-paced environment and possess a willingness to work collaboratively with a variety of court personnel and on-site partner agencies. Additional qualifications include:
- Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner;
- Familiarity with the Queens Community.
- Bilingual (English-Spanish) required;
- Experience conducting highly engaging, substantive group programming;
- Comfort working with adolescents and adults;
Position Type: Full-time; able to work nights and weekends.
Location: Queens, NY
Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $55,410 - $72,090 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 February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccination for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. Accordingly, the Center does not require all new hires be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the Center recommends all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up-to-date on the vaccination.
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.
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