Center for Justice Innovation
Youth Engagement Specialist
Center for Justice Innovation, New York, New York, us, 10261
THE ORGANIZATION
The Center for Justice Innovation is a community justice organization that centers safety and racial justice. Since our founding in 1996, the Center has partnered with community members, courts, and the people most impacted to create stronger, healthier, more just communities. Our decades of experience in courts and communities, coupled with our field-leading research and practitioner expertise, help us drive justice nationwide in innovative, powerful, and durable ways. For more information on how and where we work, please visit www.innovatingjustice.org.
The Center is a 900-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 Justice Center, 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.
Center Support
A dedicated support team within the Center ensures the smooth functioning of operations across various domains, including finance, legal, technology, human resources, fundraising, real estate, and communications. Comprising 15% of the organization's staff, these teams provide essential infrastructure support and innovative solutions aligned with the Center's mission and values.
THE OPPORTUNITY
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. SIJC operates two mentorship programs-the Advocacy, Intervene and Mentor (AIM) Program. AIM is a six to nine month court-mandated community-based mentoring program that provides one-on-one and group mentorship.
SIJC is seeking a Youth Engagement Specialist who will work with AIM programming. Reporting to the Associate Director, Youth and Family programs, the Youth Engagement Specialist will develop and oversee mentorship programming activities-including group workshops and individual mentorship sessions. These activities will take place virtually, on-site, and in the community. The Youth Engagement Specialist will work individually and with a team to assist AIM participants in addressing the individual and societal factors that may impact their behavior.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Engage in one-on-one relationships with mentees and their families, including, but not limited to, scheduling and facilitating individual mentorship meetings in participant's homes and in the community several times per week, and scheduling and participating in family events and outings; Develop, facilitate, and coordinate group programming including, but not limited to, twice-weekly workshops, community benefit projects, and group outings; Oversee all elements of case planning for mentees, including scheduling and participating in meetings related to mentees' well-being, as well as family team meetings, school meetings, meetings with external service providers, court appearances, and probation meetings, among others; Act as agency point person for client's support system-such as family members, neighborhood supports, and school staff-and provide case management services to families, as needed; Provide referrals related to health, school, employment, pro-social and civic engagement as needed; Provide curfew check-ins after hours for mentees; When relevant, consistently monitor all aspects of youth compliance with probation and court mandates, disposition orders, and maintain consistent communication with family and criminal court stakeholders; Utilize online databases to track participant activities and outcomes; Act as a community liaison for SIJC by developing and maintaining thriving relationships with community partners and attending community meetings and events which may take place in evenings and on weekends; Provide coverage and support for other SIJC youth programming, as needed; Participate in staff meetings and staff development activities at SIJC, as required; Perform other duties as necessary to support SIJC and department activities; and Additional tasks, as needed. Qualifications:
A high school diploma with 2-5 years of experience working with youth from marginalized communities and/or youth who have been involved in the juvenile or criminal system, or equivalent lived experience in a related area, preferably as a criminal justice practitioner is required. Strong knowledge of community resources in the North Shore of Staten Island is a plus. For this role, candidate must be able to seek direction and advice when necessary and make independent decisions when possible. Good judgement, a trauma-informed approach, excellent communication, and organizational and multi-tasking abilities are a must for this role. The ideal candidate will have a strong ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work. Computer literacy and knowledge of the juvenile justice system preferred. Candidates must have the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and be able to provide crisis management as needed. Car and driver's license is preferred. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with technology and video platforms such as Zoom.
Position Type:
Full-time.
Position Location:
Staten Island, NY.
Compensation:
The compensation range for this position is $52,000 - $58,200 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. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do 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 welcome 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. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included.
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. Kindly refer to the job posting for the relevant contact information. If the contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from making inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The Center for Justice Innovation is a community justice organization that centers safety and racial justice. Since our founding in 1996, the Center has partnered with community members, courts, and the people most impacted to create stronger, healthier, more just communities. Our decades of experience in courts and communities, coupled with our field-leading research and practitioner expertise, help us drive justice nationwide in innovative, powerful, and durable ways. For more information on how and where we work, please visit www.innovatingjustice.org.
The Center is a 900-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 Justice Center, 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.
Center Support
A dedicated support team within the Center ensures the smooth functioning of operations across various domains, including finance, legal, technology, human resources, fundraising, real estate, and communications. Comprising 15% of the organization's staff, these teams provide essential infrastructure support and innovative solutions aligned with the Center's mission and values.
THE OPPORTUNITY
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. SIJC operates two mentorship programs-the Advocacy, Intervene and Mentor (AIM) Program. AIM is a six to nine month court-mandated community-based mentoring program that provides one-on-one and group mentorship.
SIJC is seeking a Youth Engagement Specialist who will work with AIM programming. Reporting to the Associate Director, Youth and Family programs, the Youth Engagement Specialist will develop and oversee mentorship programming activities-including group workshops and individual mentorship sessions. These activities will take place virtually, on-site, and in the community. The Youth Engagement Specialist will work individually and with a team to assist AIM participants in addressing the individual and societal factors that may impact their behavior.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Engage in one-on-one relationships with mentees and their families, including, but not limited to, scheduling and facilitating individual mentorship meetings in participant's homes and in the community several times per week, and scheduling and participating in family events and outings; Develop, facilitate, and coordinate group programming including, but not limited to, twice-weekly workshops, community benefit projects, and group outings; Oversee all elements of case planning for mentees, including scheduling and participating in meetings related to mentees' well-being, as well as family team meetings, school meetings, meetings with external service providers, court appearances, and probation meetings, among others; Act as agency point person for client's support system-such as family members, neighborhood supports, and school staff-and provide case management services to families, as needed; Provide referrals related to health, school, employment, pro-social and civic engagement as needed; Provide curfew check-ins after hours for mentees; When relevant, consistently monitor all aspects of youth compliance with probation and court mandates, disposition orders, and maintain consistent communication with family and criminal court stakeholders; Utilize online databases to track participant activities and outcomes; Act as a community liaison for SIJC by developing and maintaining thriving relationships with community partners and attending community meetings and events which may take place in evenings and on weekends; Provide coverage and support for other SIJC youth programming, as needed; Participate in staff meetings and staff development activities at SIJC, as required; Perform other duties as necessary to support SIJC and department activities; and Additional tasks, as needed. Qualifications:
A high school diploma with 2-5 years of experience working with youth from marginalized communities and/or youth who have been involved in the juvenile or criminal system, or equivalent lived experience in a related area, preferably as a criminal justice practitioner is required. Strong knowledge of community resources in the North Shore of Staten Island is a plus. For this role, candidate must be able to seek direction and advice when necessary and make independent decisions when possible. Good judgement, a trauma-informed approach, excellent communication, and organizational and multi-tasking abilities are a must for this role. The ideal candidate will have a strong ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work. Computer literacy and knowledge of the juvenile justice system preferred. Candidates must have the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and be able to provide crisis management as needed. Car and driver's license is preferred. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with technology and video platforms such as Zoom.
Position Type:
Full-time.
Position Location:
Staten Island, NY.
Compensation:
The compensation range for this position is $52,000 - $58,200 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. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do 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 welcome 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. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included.
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. Kindly refer to the job posting for the relevant contact information. If the contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from making inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.