Overview
Director of Case & Intake Evaluation
ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT
The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the organization is now an independent nonprofit. Our work is guided by science and grounded in antiracism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 200 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Director of Intake and Case Evaluation is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the Intake Department’s complicated operation, revising and updating the process to improve efficiencies while maintaining quality, addressing the accumulation of cases that have built up in response to an overwhelming demand for representations, and expanding the process to include the evaluation of a broader range of claims of innocence.
The Director of Intake and Case Evaluation provides overall management to the department and supervises a staff of 14, including Case Analysts, a Case Associate, Intake Assistants, an Investigations Attorney, the Document Manager, Administrative Assistant and the Intake Strategic Initiatives team. In this capacity, the Intake and Case Evaluation Director is responsible for: a) developing department strategy and annual goals, b) effectively managing an experienced team to keep them focused, aligned with each other, motivated, and high-performing, c) producing reports and analyses of progress toward goals, d) general oversight of pro bono partner law firms in collaboration with the Intake Supervisor of Law Firm Partnerships, and e) devising new strategies to improve the efficiency of the evaluation.
The Director of Intake and Case Evaluation reports to the Chief Program Officer and works closely with the Director of Post-Conviction Litigation.
All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and experience of a diverse staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.
While the Innocence Project has supported remote work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently committed to a hybrid workplace with mandatory two days per week in-office. All staff are currently provided a private workspace with a closed-door.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Ideal candidate is a strategic and dynamic leader, adept in developing key departmental goals and managing and motivating the team as they strive to achieve them. They are knowledgeable about the criminal legal system and committed to increasing fairness and equity in legal representation. The successful candidate will thrive in a complicated, fast-paced environment and will find ways to improve and streamline processes and procedures, in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals and mission.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
STEWARDSHIP OF DEPARTMENT AND CASE EVALUATION
- In partnership with Innocence Project leadership, develop criteria, system and processes for expanding the intake evaluation process beyond the historical focus on DNA-only cases.
- Devise new tools, protocols and partnerships to address the accumulation of cases that have built up in response to an overwhelming demand for representation at all stages of evaluation,while maintaining the integrity of the review.
- Critically review the department’s current evaluation process, protocols, and tools.
- Collaborate with and support law firm partners participating in the evaluation process.
- Set annual departmental goals.
- Develop and manage the department’s annual budget.
- HIgh fluency in information management and case management software programs
CASE INTAKE PROCESS
- Oversee a multi-stage process to identify new clients for representation from initial inquiry to full evaluation and final presentation to the Legal Department.
- Explore and implement improvements in the use of technology to increase the efficiency of the intake process.
- Establish and operationalize quality review systems to ensure cases are being evaluated in a timely and high-quality manner.
- Expand the use of data to understand and improve the process as well as build regular reporting systems to track and report on case processing and outcomes.
- Collaborate with Innocence Network organizations on transfer of appropriate cases and sharing of relevant information.
TEAM SUPERVISION
- Hire, train and support staff to implement the evaluation process, understand the relevant criteria, and maintain quality and efficiency.
- Motivate and encourage staff to meet individual goals and develop as professionals, provide routine evaluations of progress and performance, address any obstacles.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Must have at least 15 years of professional work experience.
- Must have at least five (5) years of experience analyzing, researching, investigating, and/or practicing criminal law.
- Must have at least five (5) years of experience managing a team of direct reports.
- Experience overseeing a major departmental or organization-wide process in a fast-paced, high-volume environment that included collaborating with an external partner.
- Master’s Degree or other specialized degree required, J.D. preferred
- Experience analyzing and utilizing data to make evidence-based decisions to enhance processes and improve the performance of a team.
- Project management experience or certification and/or certified in an equivalent change management framework.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage audiences with diverging social demographic backgrounds. (Communication Skills)
- Deploys exceptional logical reasoning skills by breaking down complex situations into digestible and identifiable components. (Analytical Thinking)
- Embodies strong organizational and planning skills that entails prioritizing key components of a task while maintaining quality of work and attention to details. (Project Management)
- Communicates clearly, actively listens to others, and takes responsibility for own mistakes in an effort to foster a collaborative working environment. (Collaboration)
- Must be able to work with groups of diverse individuals in respectful, equitable, and inclusive ways.
- Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
- Shares values of equity, excellence, collaboration, humanity, integrity, respect, and accountability
COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS
The salary for this position is highly competitive and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits package, including fully-paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k plan with 6% company-match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense reimbursements, and company-paid transportation benefits.
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To apply, please upload a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization’s work, and a resume titled with your name (last name. first name. cover letter/resume). Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to give applicant updates by phone or direct email.
**Applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled.**
SALARY RANGE
$144,500-$170,000
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