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

The Staten Island Justice Center (SIJC) offers an array of programming for both youth and adults in Staten Island, focusing on engaging those with current or past justice involvement. SIJC provides judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys with alternative community sentencing options that hold individuals accountable in a way that is meaningful, proportionate, and restorative. The goal is to provide participants with individual and group services that help them to avoid future contact with the justice system and promote swift case resolutions that bolster public confidence in justice. 

SIJC is seeking a Director, Youth and Family Programs. Reporting to the Deputy Project Director, this Director is responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the Youth and Family Services Department, which includes a combination of mentorship, diversion, alternative to detention, and Youth peer-led restorative justice and leadership development programs. This Director’s portfolio also includes caregiver support services for families with youth enrolled in SIJC’s programs and other special initiatives targeting youth under the age of 18. The Director of Youth and Family Programs will be called upon to occasionally work evening/weekend hours. 

  Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

  • Supervise the day-to-day operations of SIJC’s portfolio of youth and familial support programs which includes court mandated programming, voluntary youth leadership and mentorship programs, work readiness programs, mental health services, and familial support services;
  • Provide ongoing supervision and professional development support to a multidisciplinary staff consisting of program coordinators, managers, social workers, and interns, as well as clinical supervision, as needed; 
  • Provide on-call crisis management, when necessary;  
  • Engage in program design, development and implementation of new training modules, curricula and activities; 
  • Establish and maintain strong partnerships with key justice and community stakeholders including but not limited to area schools, community-based organizations, community boards, city agencies, judges, the New York City Law Department, defense attorneys, social service providers, drug treatment programs, civic groups, ACS, and the NYPD; 
  • Design and implement youth community projects and events in collaboration with department managers; 
  • Develop and implement new programs, initiatives, and/or interventions; 
  • Collaborate with the Center’s development and fiscal departments to ensure all contractual and fiscal obligations are met; 
  • Overseeing program budgets and track spending; 
  • Overseeing and updating proper data collection and management systems, including updating program outcomes for evaluation; 
  • Working with the Center’s development and strategic partnerships departments to identify new funding sources, and assist with grant writing;  
  • Coordinate with various internal departments to support program operation and troubleshoot challenges; 
  • Lead regular reviews of program progress for the department; 
  • Participate in SIJC all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities;
  • Spearhead events and special initiatives at SIJC and in the community;
  • Attend SIJC events or community meetings after hours or on weekends; and
  • Perform additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Qualifications:  The ideal candidate will be a LMSW or LMHC OR have equivalent experience providing social services to youth and families. Candidate must have 5 years of relevant supervisory experience; SIFI certification preferred. ​​​At least 3 years of experience in Positive Youth Development preferred. Additional qualifications include:

  • Experience with drug/alcohol treatment, mental health services, co-occurring disorders, adolescent development, trauma-informed and strength-based approaches; 
  • Familiarity with Staten Island communities; 
  • Candidate must have the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner. Candidates must also be comfortable working with adolescents, adults and families;  
  • Excellent organization and time management skills and strong writing ability required; 
  • Candidate must be a skilled communicator able to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community;
  • Bilingual Spanish-speaking preferred.

Location:  Staten Island, NY 10301

Compensation:  Salary range 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. The Center offers 4 weeks of vacation and 3 weeks of sick leave each year with carryover options. Our generous 403(b) plan focusses on making retirement accessible to all staff; all employees can contribute anywhere from 1-5% and receive a two-to-one employer contribution. Any contribution an employee makes to their retirement fund up to 5% will be doubly matched. The Center also proactively assists all employees in completing their certification for public service loan forgiveness.

HPAPP

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.

Powered by JazzHR