Coordinator, Forensic Assessment

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 approximately 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. 

Background on Jail Population Review Program

Nationally, some jurisdictions have implemented population review teams, which bring together the critical decision makers of a case–including judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys–to review jail admissions as early as possible and identify candidates for rapid pre-and post-plea diversion options. The urgency of the situation at Rikers Island requires a similar collaborative approach in New York City. In the fall of 2023, the Center launched the Jail Population Review Program in Manhattan and has recently expanded to Brooklyn. As required by Local Law 75 of 2023, the program will be operational citywide by July 1, 2024. 

The Jail Population Review Program is an ambitious initiative in New York City that is led by the Center’s New York Legal Policy (NYLP) Team–court practitioners, clinical staff, and research and policy experts focused on developing and implementing critical operational and policy reforms and improving coordination between justice system stakeholders. The Jail Population Review Program reviews incarcerated individuals for opportunities for pretrial release or case resolution. The team provides critical information to prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges at the earliest possible juncture so they can engage in meaningful before an individual spends weeks or months in jail.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Center for Justice Innovation is seeking two Forensic Assessment Coordinators to work with the Jail Population Review Program to identify incarcerated individuals with behavioral health issues who might be eligible for pre-trial release and alternative to incarceration programming.

Reporting to the Senior ATI Policy Advisor, the Forensic Assessment Coordinator will be responsible for reviewing screening information about incarcerated individuals and making recommendations accordingly, and for conducting independent forensic psychological evaluations for different purposes, including brief clinical assessments to identify clinical needs and make preliminary treatment recommendations; as well as more comprehensive assessments to clarify diagnoses, identify cognitive deficits or neurodevelopmental disorders, or assess violence or recidivism risk and management. This is a post-doctoral position. The Forensic Assessment Coordinator will receive clinical supervision toward licensure from a licensed clinical psychologist.

The Forensic Assessment Coordinator will work with stakeholders, including judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, special jurisdiction courts, ATI programs, Correctional Health Services, and the Department of Correction. This role presents a unique opportunity to be a part of a groundbreaking systemic reform initiative.

This role involves navigating and constructively engaging with differing and, at times, competing stakeholder perspectives. The Center strongly encourages 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.

• Conduct clinical/psychological evaluations to identify clinical needs, clarify diagnoses, identify risk factors for violence or recidivism, and create treatment/management plans that improve clinical outcomes and mitigate risk;  
• Conduct psychological testing for different referral questions (e.g., diagnostic clarification, assessment of personality disorders, assessment of cognitive/intellectual deficits, assessment of exaggeration/feigning of psychiatric symptoms) when indicated;
• Assist with reviewing screening information and medical records from Correctional Health Services and identify individuals currently at Rikers Island who may be eligible for pretrial diversion;
• Conduct psychological testing when indicated;
• Coordinate and collaborate with all legal stakeholders as needed, including, but not limited to prosecutors, defense attorneys, the New York State Unified Court System, Department of Correction, Correctional Health Services, and an array of community-based alternative to detention and alternative to incarceration programs;
• Troubleshoot operational, procedural, and administrative challenges as they arise to advance the clinical review process simultaneously with the legal process and reduce delays in jail diversion;
• Coordinate and collaborate with all treatment court parts in New York City;
• Present clinical information and treatment recommendations to legal stakeholders, as needed (judge, defense counsel, prosecutor, and court staff);
• Participate in regular team meetings and clinical supervision weekly, as well as staff meetings and trainings, as scheduled;
• Enter and maintain appropriate up-to-date participant information, including all pre-plea screening and assessment information and case information in case management systems;
• Assist the New York Legal Policy Team with the refinement of existing clinical assessment practices and the development and implementation of new initiatives; including improving screening and assessment processes;
• Assist with other programmatic and administrative tasks to support the Jail Population Review initiative; and
• Participate in research and policy initiatives.

• Post-doctoral psychologist: A Ph.D. or Psy.D in Psychology with a New York State Psychology limited permit to practice as a psychologist under supervision;
• Candidates must have willingness and ability to work collaboratively with a variety of court personnel and on-site partner agencies in a high-pressure/fast paced work environment;
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and/or homelessness is a plus strongly preferred;
• Experience conducting psychological evaluations and forensic mental health assessments:
• Experience conducting psychological testing;
• Candidates must have ability openness to engage with differing and, at times, competing stakeholder perspectives;
• Candidates must have a commitment to, and experience with, trauma-informed holistic and strengths-based approaches, and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner;
• Knowledge and/or lived experience related to the criminal justice legal and its impacts on communities preferred;
• Must be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a highly interdependent, multi-disciplinary team within a fast-paced and dynamic work environment;
• Excellent organization and time management skills;
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills; and
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.

Position Type: Full-time.

Position Location: Manhattan, New York.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $78,500 to $95,500 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.

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