Community Engagement Specialist

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 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 Red Hook Community Resilience Corps is an AmeriCorps National Service Program that seeks to make Red Hook a safer, stronger and a more resilient community for individuals ages 18 and over. AmeriCorps members are part of our unconventional programs and services throughout the Center that engage residents and promote public safety. Members work directly with community members to provide services and referrals to address needs centered on economic mobility, housing issues and many other areas. Furthermore, members also will perform service projects throughout the neighborhood and by the end of their service year, members will gain the skills needed to plan and execute their own project.

Youth and Community Initiatives (YCI) provides an array of programming and services for individuals facilitated by staff and external partners. The skills, knowledge, and experience received allow individuals to recognize their own strengths and interests as they make life-changing decisions. Programs and Services include Level Up Job Readiness, Entrepreneurship, Theater, AmeriCorps, Photography, Youth Impact, GED Classes, and Summer Employment Opportunities.  

AVAILABILITY
The start date for this full-time position is November 1, 2024, with an end date of October 31, 2025. Applicants must be available to commit to serve 35-hours a week, Monday-Friday between the hours of 9am-5pm with occasional evenings and weekends. 

• Schedule and conduct intake for YCI Applicants;
• Assist with maintaining up to date data on YCI’s Justice Center Application (JCA);
• Support the recruitment, enrollment, and program activities for YCI programming;
• Perform administrative duties for programming including attendance, payroll, and data collection;
• Assist with the planning and implementation of youth programming, activities, and events;
• Assist with the facilitation of group sessions;
• Attend all meetings including one on one supervision, team meetings, and staff meetings;
• Develop social media content to promote departmental and center activities including recruitment for upcoming programming and events and highlighting past activities;
• Assist with the maintenance of various social media accounts, including scheduling posts and responding to comments and message;
• Assist with the planning of the Center’s presence on social media platforms;
• Work with Justice Center’s teams to solicit additional content for social media platforms;
• Participate in the Justice Center’s Outreach working group;
• Attend community events to promote programs and services;
• Establish and maintain relationships with community-based providers and organizations;
• Lead various outreach strategies to promote services and programming;
• Maintain an up-to-date community calendar to be shared with staff and community members; and
• Other relevant task as necessary .

BENEFITS OF SERVING 
Our program has a variety of full-time and minimum-time opportunities. Serving is a great way to strengthen your professional network, make a difference within communities and social justice.

During service, you will receive:

• Full-Time members receive a living allowance of $18,700, and an educational award of $7,395 upon successful completion of their term;
• Minimum-Time members receive a living allowance of $1,500 and an educational award of $1,565.08 upon successful completion of their term;
• Childcare and/or health benefits (available to some members); and
• Skills-based and professional development training.

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to use on future educational expenses or to pay back qualified student loans. The value is dependent on length of service. Members 55+ are eligible to transfer their Education Award to a family member.
• Competitive job edge in your job search, including access to a network of over 600 employers of National Service

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; and
• Interest in working with communities and/or service.

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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