The Organization

The Center for Court Innovation is committed to reducing crime and incarceration, addressing violence, supporting survivors, and building communities while strengthening public trust in justice. The Center seeks justice for marginalized groups, bringing an equity lens – particularly a racial and gender equity lens – to its work. For 25 years, the Center has worked to foster justice and equity to create safe, healthy, and thriving communities and, ultimately, to transform the justice system.

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

Researchers at the Center conduct independent evaluations, documenting how government systems work, how neighborhoods function, and how reform efforts change things. We believe in the “action research” model; accordingly, our researchers provide regular feedback on the results of the Center’s own operating programs. The Center has published studies on topics including youth in the sex trade, reentry, gun violence, and drug treatment as an alternative to incarceration. Our researchers have been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals.

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 Staten Island Justice Center (Justice Center; SIJC) is seeking a Youth Engagement Coordinator for the Family Enrichment Center (FEC). Reporting to the FEC Senior Program Manager and collaborating with the Family Engagement Coordinator, the Youth Engagement Coordinator is responsible for contributing to the day-to-day operation of the Family Enrichment Center by: engaging youth at the center and in the community, building connections with other staff, local residents, and community partners; co-designing and delivering relevant programming and activities; providing advocacy and making age appropriate referrals for youth; and creating a warm and inviting gathering place for families and individuals using the protective factors model to support community resilience.

FECs build on family and community strengths, are guided by the community’s interests, dreams, goals, and desires, and do so without being intrusive or using a case management approach. FECs do not follow a traditional social service delivery approach. They are 100% voluntary, safe spaces that welcome all, and respect each person’s privacy and their ability to decide how, when, and how often to interact with an FEC.

The Justice Center strongly encourages and seeks applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ community members, as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. __________________________________________________________________________________

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Convene, support, and collaborate with a team of local youth and young adult residents to deliver monthly events and activities held at the FEC;
• Recruit, welcome, and orient community residents, volunteers, and participants and ensure they are valued members of the FEC team;
• Participate in the day-to-day operations and administrative tasks of the FEC by providing reception coverage, supporting with programmatic logistical needs, managing inventory and purchasing, addressing tech and facility issues, tracking and supporting daily engagement of FEC members, and developing and updating office protocols and procedures in close partnership with the FEC Director;
• Maintain member supplies and resources and update FEC décor as suggested by community members in order to ensure that the FEC space is welcoming and safe for all members in close partnership with Family Engagement Coordinator;
• Engage groups of local community youth comfortably, and guide them through the co-designed activities and programming at the FEC;
• Collaborate with local public school staff to engage the participation of youth in developing, implementing, and attending FEC programming in close partnership with the Family Engagement Coordinator;
• Provide advocacy, outreach, and referrals to connect youth members to service providers and other programs that have resources to offer;
• Promote cooperation between members and engage the buy-in and commitment of community stakeholders in the activities of the FEC in close partnership with Family Engagement Coordinator;
• Co-Manage the FEC website to communicate with and engage members and manage enrollment and attendance at offerings and events;
• Promote opportunities for youth to engage and participate in FEC offering planning and implementation;
• Organize opportunities for community youth members to work and celebrate together in order to foster a sense of belonging, pride and mutual responsibility;
• Provide referrals related to health, school, employment, housing, and food security, as needed;
• Participate in SIJC all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities;
• Attend SIJC/FEC events or community meetings after hours or on weekends;
• Perform other activities and duties, as assigned.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will either have a Bachelor's Degree and 3-5 years of experience, or exceptional life experiences that qualify them for the position. Candidates will have experience providing community-based engagement and outreach services as well as demonstrated experience coordinating programs, facilitating, supervising staff, and designing successful activities to engage community members. Candidates must be able to work in a non-hierarchical multi-disciplinary setting, maintain strong relationships and connections using a warm, engaging, and enthusiastic communication style. Strong knowledge of community resources in the North Shore of Staten Island is a plus. Good judgment, problem-solving ability, planning, organizational and multitasking abilities, and excellent communication using a non-judgemental approach 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. Candidate must not have any pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence. A car and driver’s license are a plus. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with technology and video platforms such as Zoom. Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $60,000 - $75,000. 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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