Overview

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

Neighborhood Safety Initiatives (NSI), a program of the Center, is seeking an Associate Director of Neighborhood Equity Design to support the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance crime prevention grant.  Underway since 2015 and led by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), MAP is a comprehensive strategy to enhance public safety and strengthen community well- being in 30 public housing developments across New York City, and the BJA has allowed us to increase investments at Wagner Houses and extend the Center’s community engagement model to Jefferson and Johnson Houses in East Harlem. 

The Center is a key implementation partner in NeighborhoodStat is a resident-driven; community organizing initiative in partnership with the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP). Underway since 2015, MAP is a comprehensive strategy to enhance public safety and strengthen community well-being in 30 public housing developments across New York City. The initiative aims to enhance safety and overall quality of life by strengthening collaboration and capacity among public housing residents. Since 2016, citywide meetings have been convened to share information and data, facilitate community engagement to identify neighborhood priorities, enhance the quality of life and spur collaboration and accountability among city agencies and local stakeholders.

NSI is working to advance the NSTAT process by assisting each of 30 designated communities to convene local stakeholder groups. NSTAT Stakeholder teams activities include collaboratively identify community conditions, prioritize local initiatives, access and analyze data, identify and leverage resources, improve resident capacity through trainings; and implement participatory placekeeping projects and policy recommendations that address structural racism, local concerns and enhance public safety, reduces victimization, promoting healing and improves well-being. The initiative’s overarching goal is to build community agency in policy change within a social, racial and spatial justice framework.
 

The Associate Director of Neighborhood Equity Design will report to the Project Director and the Deputy Project Director. This role will support the implementation of NSTAT processes, projects, and communication needs across 30 sites in the 5 boroughs, which includes participatory design processes, public space programming, built environment projects, social programming, training, direct action agendas. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

 Project Planning, Strategy, Facilitation and Capacity Building

  • Work with the Project Director, Deputy Director, managing staff, Operations, and program managers to co-develop tools for project management to ensure timely execution of NeighborhoodStat deliverables including action plans, maintenance plans, communication strategies, direct action campaigns, YouthStat and more;
  • Work with the Project Director, Deputy Director and managing staff to plan and execute participatory design modules to help Program Managers guide conversations across their residents teams;
  • Work with the Project Director, Deputy Director, and managing staff to create facilitation tools for resident and stakeholder planning meetings that support human-centered design, project development, problem identification, problem-solving, practice and action steps for NSI projects including but not limited to NeighborhoodStat and BJA East Harlem. The outcome of this task should lead to the creation of a NSI comprehensive toolkit (including facilitation tools for in person and  digital engagement);
  • Work with the Project Director, Deputy Director, and managing staff to co-develop frameworks for community engagement and corresponding agendas, presentations and facilitation guides;
  • Work with the  the Project Director, Deputy Director, and managing staff to provide training to staff on facilitation tools to ensure comprehension and use across all sites; 
  • Participate in stakeholder meetings, site visits and events as needed; 
  • Liaise with MOCJ and other government partners to communicate project progress and or to create partnerships to advance  the goals of the project;
  • Represent the Center and NSI at community meetings, events and public forums, when needed;

Design and Implementation of Projects

  • Work with Program Managers and Associate Directors to collaboratively design built environment  (placemaking) projects that reflect stakeholders’ priorities. This work entails working with the Project Director, Deputy Director, and managing staff and stakeholder teams to create project site plans, renderings, drawings as  needed to support community decision making, action plan scope submission and approvals;
  • Support the Project Director and Deputy Director with action plan scope development, submission, review and approval process;
  • Provide support in identifying designers, vendors or related industry professionals as it relates to advancing action plans, direct action or capacity building objectives. Support Program Managers securing the vendors, coordinating ongoing planning and logistical efforts, review their work, and ensure delivery of milestones;
  • Work with the Project Director, Deputy Director, to oversee the duties and responsibilities of outside design consultants and fabrication vendors to deliver high-quality placekeeping projects;
  • Work with Planners and Program Managers to ground community priorities in the available action plan budgets;
  • Work with the Project Director, the Communications and Design Coordinator, and the future Design Fellow to create a clear branding and design guidelines for the Initiative;

Communications 

  • Work with Communications and Design Coordinator and key Center staff to identify NSI’s communication’s goals and design a comprehensive communications strategy (including a series of external campaigns and press strategies ) that responds to these goals and boost the Initiative’s impact. Simultaneously, design evaluation metrics to track the outcomes of the designed strategy;
  • Work with the Communications and Design Coordinator to create multi platform communication (including digital content for social media, printed collateral, interactive dashboards, etc.) materials in support of outreach efforts around participatory design, action plan engagement, direct action campaign, events and more;
  • Work with the Project Director, Deputy Director, and key staff to visualize the initiatives’ organizational structure and collaborative processes (e.g. use end year reviews outcomes as a basis to reflect current and desired responsibilities and processes);
  • Work with Communications and Design Coordinator to create  and maintain a multimedia campaign calendar that may include but  does not limits to social media, online videos or streaming events, podcasts, mobile marketing, print media, and panels;
  • Oversee the duties and responsibilities of the Communications and Design Coordinator, including social media marketing, creation of communication materials, marketing materials;
  • Oversee the external and internal editorial calendar for communication design, production, and campaign execution for NSTAT processes that include but are not limited to action plan projects, trainings, direct action campaigns, local initiatives, and participatory design processes;
  • Work with Communications and Design Coordinator to create internal communications guides and templates; outreach and presentation materials, and more;

Research, Measuring Impact and Evaluation

  • Collaborate with other NSI staff and team members to implement systems that support effective project planning and data collection;
  • Co-create key performance indicators with key Center staff and Communications and Design Coordinator for each communications channel which will indicate a campaign’s level of success
  • Oversee the workflow of press releases and media strategy;
  • Work with the Project Director, Deputy Director, to hire a new Communications and Design Coordinator and onboard the new staff member;
  • Work with the Project Director, Deputy Director, and key staff to design a geospatial analysis (GIS) to track the initiatives impact and create meaningful and compelling visuals;
  • Attend meetings with research and evaluation partners to support data collection, inform research frameworks and provide regular and timely project updates; 

Support and Manage Work of Planners

  • Supervise and oversee the duties and responsibilities of Planners at assigned 17 community sites who lend support to the MAP Engagement Coordinator/ Program Managers with planning and implementation of action plans across a geographic area, which includes built environment projects, public space programming, and social programs;
  • Ensure Planners have the necessary information, training, resources and support for the implementation of neighborhood engagement strategy and support project development, execution and evaluation;
  • Ensure action plan activities are comprehensive, high quality and meet or exceed all expectations while adhering to CCI, city agency requirements and/or regulations;

Administration  

  • Work and communicate closely with the Project Director, key Center staff, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to support and advance all project tasks and timelines;
  • Work with the Project Director, Deputy Director, Operations Manager, and Planners to ensure projects are executed within budget;
  • Maintain project management and design files on a shared drive;
  • Work with Communications and Design Coordinator and key Center staff to create a CMR (Contact Management System) to organize NSI’s partners and potential collaborators;
  • Other duties, as necessary.

Qualifications: 

  • The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree with 5 years of architecture, urban planning, or design and communications experience;
  • Must have advanced design skills and expertise using Adobe Creative Cloud including programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign;
  • Excellent communication skills required;
  • Have the ability to learn new tools and do self-guided work within a fast-paced environment;
  • Proficient in Microsoft programs and Google Suite;
  • Dedication and commitment to social justice issues with an equity lens;
  • Knowledge of, or a willingness to learn about accessibility in marketing materials and design;
  • A strong work ethic and passion for collaborating with others;
  • Ability to work well with diverse groups of people;
  • Candidate must be highly organized and detail-oriented;
  • Knowledge of marketing tools and approaches;
  • Creativity in developing new ways to reach the public; 
  • Knowledge of AutoCAD a plus;
  • Knowledge of GIS a plus;
  • Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred; 
  • Driver’s License preferred but not required.

Position Type:  Full-time (occasional weekends, evenings and holidays)

Location:  Manhattan, NY with frequent travel to sites across all 5 boroughs

Compensation: Salary starts at $78,000 and is commensurate with experience.  The Center for Court 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 Court 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 September 9, 2021, all new hires are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for medical, disability or religious reasons by the Center’s Human Resources Department.

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 please.

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