Overview

The Center for Court Innovation is a non-profit organization that works to create a more effective and humane justice system by performing original research and helping launch reforms by guiding justice innovators, nationally and internationally. The Center creates operating projects that have been documented to reduce the use of jail and prison, assist victims of crime, and strengthen communities.

Launched in early 2020, Manhattan Justice Opportunities (Manhattan Justice) seeks to rethink justice in Manhattan and to build a justice system that is more responsive to individuals’ and communities’ needs. Manhattan Justice is a centralized, court-based screening and referral hub that provides judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys at New York County Criminal Court and Supreme Court with a wide array of social service-based sentencing options in misdemeanor and felony cases. Bringing together a consortium of service providers led by the Center for Court In-novation, Manhattan Justice offers onsite case management, psycho-educational groups, restorative justice, and other programming options. Manhattan Justice also provides referrals to community-based service providers for mental health, substance use, employment, primary health care services and more. These services are open to anyone who needs them — including court participants’ families and friends, and others affected by the criminal justice system. These services, which are both mandated and voluntary, help participants address underlying issues in their lives, build stability, and decrease their likelihood of further justice involvement.

Manhattan Justice is seeking an Intake Specialist to provide services for Alternative-to-Incarceration programming for people charged with misdemeanors. Reporting to the Supervising Intake Specialist, the Intake Specialist plays a critical role in Manhattan Justice’s work with court-mandated and voluntary participants. Among other responsibilities, the Intake Specialist conducts assessments with all new participants and provides ongoing case management services to a caseload of mandated and voluntary participants.

Manhattan Justice strongly encourages and seeks 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.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Conduct intakes and needs-based screenings for newly mandated and voluntary participants;
  • Provide comprehensive case management services to a caseload of participants to address needs such as substance use, mental health issues, housing, employment, and educational and vocational needs as well as other challenges in a participant’s life;
  • Help participants process their experience with the justice system and orient them to Manhattan Justice’s work and programming;
  • Explain program requirements and expectations to participants;
  • Provide referrals to community-based services that address issues such as substance use, mental health issues, trauma, domestic violence, housing, and educational/vocational needs; and other challenges in participants’ lives (e.g. family court cases and other civil legal issues);
  • Assist with scheduling and rescheduling participants for intakes and assessments for both on and offsite services;
  • Conduct outreach to participants to ensure all mandated participants are effectively engaged;
  • Collaborate with onsite and community-based service providers to complete referrals and ensure accurate attendance reporting;
  • Assist with facilitating on-site psychoeducational groups, as necessary;
  • Enter and maintain appropriate client information in electronic case management databases and paper files in a timely manner;
  • Monitor compliance of court-mandated services and prepare compliance reports to be submitted in court;
  • Provide services as described above to participants on a voluntary basis;
  • Greet individuals in the reception area, as needed;
  • Collaborate closely with social workers and case managers on the clinical team;
  • Collaborate closely with staff at the Midtown Community Court and other Center for Court Innovation operating projects;
  • Participate in all staff meetings and trainings;
  • Attend court and community-based events and meetings, as needed;
  • Assist with other programmatic and administrative tasks, as needed.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum Associate’s degree or 3 years experience as an intake specialist or in a similar role;
  • Experience working in a court or criminal justice setting strongly preferred;
  • Knowledge and/or lived experience related to the criminal justice system and its impact on communities;
  • Strong organizational and time management skills;
  • Commitment to, and experience using, holistic and strength-based approaches, meeting participants where they are, and the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally responsive manner;
  • Willingness and interest in engaging people (young adults and adults) with mental health and substance abuse needs;
  • Ability to communicate appropriately with court staff, stakeholders, onsite partner agencies;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Location: Manhattan, NY

Compensation: Hourly rate begins at $24.36 per hour and is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for overtime at 1.5x the hourly rate above 40 hours per week. Excellent benefits package including comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance, four weeks paid vacation, paid sick time, confidential online therapy and mental health coaching via TalkSpace and Ginger, commuter benefits, Flexible Spending Account plans for health and dependent care, and a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match.

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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