Coordinator, Community Engagement

The Center for Court 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.

The Staten Island Justice Center (SIJC) offers an array of programming for both youth and adults in Staten Island, focusing on engaging those with current or past justice involvement. The Justice Center provides judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys with alternative community sentencing options that hold individuals accountable in a way that is meaningful, proportionate, and restorative. The goal is to provide participants with individual and group services that help them to avoid future contact with the justice system and promote swift case resolutions that bolster public confidence in justice.

SIJC is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator. Reporting to the Director of Criminal Justice Programs, the Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Justice Center’s community-facing work, within the Supervised Release Program. Supervised Release offers an alternative to jail, providing pretrial supervision, case management, and voluntary social services to people charged with misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenses. The Community Engagement Coordinator will be responsible for supervising a team of Community Engagement Specialists and will support the development, implementation, and management of peer supportive services including, but not limited to, mentoring, client escorts, and other supportive services. In addition, the Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing community outreach to raise awareness about the program and to identify additional community-based resources for our program participants.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Oversee the daily, weekly, and monthly operations of the Community Engagement branch of the Justice Center’s Criminal Justice Department;
• Provide coverage support and direct task supervision to Community Engagement Specialists and fill in coverage as needed;
• Oversee community outreach to raise awareness about the program and to identify additional community-based resources for our program participants;
• Establish and maintain strong relationships through networking and advocacy with local stakeholders on a variety of service needs including housing, intimate partner violence related needs, mental health support, substance use support and harm reductive services;
• Collaborate with the Director of Criminal Justice Programs and fellow Department managers to support both Community Engagement Specialists and program participants in engagement planning and crisis intervention, as needed;
• Coordinate with community-based service providers to facilitate, follow-up, and assist participants with voluntary service referrals; assist clients in obtaining access to resources, benefits, and housing;
• Conduct outreach to collateral sources for program participants when necessary;
• Facilitate a range of psychoeducational and skills development groups, along with other forms of interventions and engagement, as needed;
• Engage with the community, including attending evening and weekend community events, and supporting borough-based initiatives;
• Co-facilitate relationship-building between Community Engagement team and Social Workers, Case managers, and Counselors of the Clinical Department;
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation, as needed;
• Assist the Directors with overseeing programmatic procedures and requirements;
• Maintain participant records, oversee documentation of program data;

• Collaborate closely with Managers of the Clinical Department;
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and on- and off-site visits;
• Perform other duties as necessary, informed by direct supervisor, Clinical Director, or other site leadership;
• Additional relevant tasks, as necessary.

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or 3-4 years of equivalent experience leading groups and/or workshops, community outreach, and facilitating or mentoring, preferably with court-involved populations;
• At least 1 year of supervisory experience, strongly preferred;
• Lived experience with the justice system and/or interactions with other systems (i.e. housing, foster care, etc.) and an understanding of how to navigate them, strongly preferred; 
• Must be interested in working with justice involved individuals and providing services in a strengths-based manner;
• Candidate must be a skilled communicator, able to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with organizations, both onsite and in the community;
• Maturity, reliability, excellent judgment and sensitivity to working with people in a culturally-responsive manner required;
• Seeking a self-starter who can successfully be part of a diverse workforce and get things done in a fast-paced environment;
• Knowledge of community-based resources in Staten Island preferred;
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred; 
• Valid driver’s license in good standing strongly preferred.

Position Type:  Full-time, must be able to work nights or weekends, as needed.

Compensation:  Salary range starts at $60,021 and is commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package including comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance, four weeks paid vacation, paid sick time, confidential online therapy and mental health coaching via TalkSpace and Ginger, commuter benefits, Flexible Spending Account plans for health and dependent care, and a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match.

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.

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