Center for Justice Innovation
Social Worker, Community Initiatives
Center for Justice Innovation, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 11210
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 Brownsville Community Justice Center, a project of the Center for Justice Innovation, seeks to re-engineer how the justice system works in Brownsville, Brooklyn. In particular, the Justice Center is dedicated to building multiple off-ramps for young people who come into contact with the justice system by providing much-needed services to young people arrested in Brownsville. The aim is to provide the kind of support that young people need to become law-abiding members of society. The ultimate goal is to reduce crime and the use of incarceration, while at the same restoring local faith in the justice system.
The Brownsville Community Justice Center is seeking a Social Worker to join the Community Initiatives team. This position will work as a part of an interdisciplinary team utilizing a strengths-based model to engage youth ages 13-24 from Brownsville who have come in contact with the criminal justice system with the hopes of providing off ramps from future systems involvement. Reporting to the Senior Social Worker, the Social Worker, Community Initiatives is primarily responsible for providing comprehensive advocacy and case management, counseling, and leadership development programming for youth participants.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:Provide comprehensive advocacy and weekly individual counseling to justice involved youth ages 13-24 (and, where appropriate, their families);Provide case management services and assist with resource coordination;Maintain appropriate client information in electronic databases and hard files;Engage families in all phases of the program and provide support and referrals, as needed;Engage with the Brownsville community including attending community events, conducting outreach, and supporting Justice Center initiatives;Coordinate and manage recruitment strategies for youth programs;Assist with the development and implementation of new programs and initiatives;Facilitate youth programming focused on youth leadership development, community engagement, and youth organizing;Attend all required staff meetings and trainings;Maintain a work culture conducive to innovation and team building, and;Other relevant responsibilities as assigned.Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will:
Have an LMSW and a minimum of 2 years prior work in criminal justice and/or a related field and must either be currently licensed or obtain the New York LMSW licensure within 90 days of hireHave at least 2 years of youth work experience, including advocacy, case management, and group facilitation;Must be comfortable working in a community based and youth led environment;Must be open to constructive engagement with differing and, at times, competing perspectives;Must be committed to using holistic and strengths-based approaches;Must have the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally-competent manner;Must be committed to place-based and community-based social work;Have in-depth knowledge of and familiarity with the Brownsville, Brooklyn community preferred;Credible messenger experience preferred;Applicants from Brownsville are highly encouraged to apply.
Position Type:
Full-time, 11am-7pm (to accommodate youth in school)
Position Location:
Brooklyn, NY
Compensation:
The compensation range for this position is $57,500 - $73,500 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 Brownsville Community Justice Center, a project of the Center for Justice Innovation, seeks to re-engineer how the justice system works in Brownsville, Brooklyn. In particular, the Justice Center is dedicated to building multiple off-ramps for young people who come into contact with the justice system by providing much-needed services to young people arrested in Brownsville. The aim is to provide the kind of support that young people need to become law-abiding members of society. The ultimate goal is to reduce crime and the use of incarceration, while at the same restoring local faith in the justice system.
The Brownsville Community Justice Center is seeking a Social Worker to join the Community Initiatives team. This position will work as a part of an interdisciplinary team utilizing a strengths-based model to engage youth ages 13-24 from Brownsville who have come in contact with the criminal justice system with the hopes of providing off ramps from future systems involvement. Reporting to the Senior Social Worker, the Social Worker, Community Initiatives is primarily responsible for providing comprehensive advocacy and case management, counseling, and leadership development programming for youth participants.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:Provide comprehensive advocacy and weekly individual counseling to justice involved youth ages 13-24 (and, where appropriate, their families);Provide case management services and assist with resource coordination;Maintain appropriate client information in electronic databases and hard files;Engage families in all phases of the program and provide support and referrals, as needed;Engage with the Brownsville community including attending community events, conducting outreach, and supporting Justice Center initiatives;Coordinate and manage recruitment strategies for youth programs;Assist with the development and implementation of new programs and initiatives;Facilitate youth programming focused on youth leadership development, community engagement, and youth organizing;Attend all required staff meetings and trainings;Maintain a work culture conducive to innovation and team building, and;Other relevant responsibilities as assigned.Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will:
Have an LMSW and a minimum of 2 years prior work in criminal justice and/or a related field and must either be currently licensed or obtain the New York LMSW licensure within 90 days of hireHave at least 2 years of youth work experience, including advocacy, case management, and group facilitation;Must be comfortable working in a community based and youth led environment;Must be open to constructive engagement with differing and, at times, competing perspectives;Must be committed to using holistic and strengths-based approaches;Must have the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally-competent manner;Must be committed to place-based and community-based social work;Have in-depth knowledge of and familiarity with the Brownsville, Brooklyn community preferred;Credible messenger experience preferred;Applicants from Brownsville are highly encouraged to apply.
Position Type:
Full-time, 11am-7pm (to accommodate youth in school)
Position Location:
Brooklyn, NY
Compensation:
The compensation range for this position is $57,500 - $73,500 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.