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 HOPE program provides direct specialized services and diversion programs for youth ages 12-18 who are survivors of or are at risk of sexual exploitation/domestic sex trafficking and/or labor trafficking.

The Queens Community Justice Center-The Rockaways (QCJC-TR) is seeking a Social Worker Coordinator for the Queens HOPE program. Reporting to the Project Director, the Coordinator will be responsible for developing and implementing programming for youth who are survivors of or at risk of human trafficking exploitation monitoring, outreach and partnerships with local program stakeholder such as schools and other community-based organizations, managing a caseload of program participants, and referring participants to voluntary social service interventions. The Coordinator will work one-on-one and in a group setting, providing intensive case management and trauma-informed, survivor-centered support services.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide screening, assessment, clinical services, and case management services to young people at the Far Rockaway site;
• Develop programming (workshops, trips, etc.) appropriate for youth who are involved in or at risk of human or labor trafficking;
• Provide evidence-based programs or practices to participants;
• Providing comprehensive individual counseling sessions;
• Facilitate group sessions for program participants;
• Collaborate with the Clinical Manager for Queens HOPE-Jamaica to create and facilitate a Queens-specific multidisciplinary task force comprised of court- and community-based service providers and survivor consultants;
• Conduct outreach to collateral sources;
• Communicate with service providers to facilitate, follow-up and assist participants with voluntary service referrals;
• Maintain needed communication with all program partners to ensure proper services are being delivered to all participants;
• Develop and provide training, ongoing professional development, and support related to human trafficking to staff, court and community-based service providers;
• Assist with providing clinical supervision to staff and social worker interns;
• Lead case conferencing meetings with non-clinical case management staff, as needed;
• Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of community programs staff;
• Assist with data collection and complete all necessary documentation and input data into computer database;
• Assist with grant implementation and reporting, ensuring all requirements and deliverables are met;
• Attend all scheduled supervision and professional development trainings;
• Attend staff meetings and on-going trainings as well as participate in community events held by the Queens Community Justice Center; and
• Attend community stakeholder meetings, including community board, resident association, precinct council, and other related recurring meetings; and
• Perform additional relevant tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

• LMSW required with at least three years of relevant social work and individual practice experience;
• SIFI certified or eligible;
• Supervisory experience required;
• Candidate must have at least 2 years of experience working with youth;
• Commitment to anti-oppressive practice and creating space that centers BIPOC communities;
• Commitment to youth-led practice and belief in the innate capacity of youth to positively impact their community;
• Extremely punctual and reliable, highly organized and detail-oriented;
• Strong problem solving skills;
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills;
• Knowledge of youth engagement, victimization, community violence and intimate partner violence necessary;
• Understanding of the criminal justice system, ACS, and other related institutions;
• Understanding of Cure Violence projects desirable;
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and as part of a team;
• Experience with individual and group case management and counseling;
• Understanding of complex trauma reactions;
• Experience working with youth and families from marginalized communities and youth who have been impacted by criminal legal systems; and
• Ability to work late evenings & weekends, as needed.

Position Type: Full-Time 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, some late evenings and weekends as needed

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $63,170 - $67,000 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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