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 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
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.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Staten Island Justice Center (SIJC) seeks an Engagement Specialist, for its Transformative Reentry Initiative (TRI). Transformative Reentry Initiative will provide participants with wrap around services focused on restorative practices, employment/educational support, mentorship, social-emotional support. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Engagement Specialist will be responsible for working with program participants pre- and post-release. Duties include community outreach, co-creating individual support. plans, providing community visits when necessary, attending appointments or community events with participants, maintaining regular communication, meeting with participants in casual settings if needed to build trust, hosting circles of support, and helping to determine which type of workforce programming is best for each participant. The Justice Center strongly encourages and seeks applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ, community members, as well as individuals with lived experience.
Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:

• Engage in one-on-one relationships with mentees and their families, including, but not limited to, scheduling and facilitating individual mentorship meetings in the community several times per week;
• Provide mentorship to mentees by helping them identify and achieve personal and professional goals ;
• Facilitate, and coordinate group programming including, but not limited to workshops, restorative justice circles of support, community benefit projects, and group outings;
• Co-create and oversee all elements of individual support plans for mentees, including scheduling and participating in meetings related to mentees' well-being, as well as family team meetings;
• Work with participants to make the necessary connections that were identified in their individual support plan;
• Engage in community outreach with the goal of recruiting participants for the program;
• Meet participants at discharge from DOC and DOCCS facilities, if needed;
• Provide referrals related to appropriate workforce and employment program, pro-social and civic
• engagement as needed and assist participants with navigating various social services;
• Utilize online databases to track participant activities and outcomes;
• Act as a community liaison for the Staten Island Justice Center by developing and maintaining
• thriving relationships with community partners and attending community meetings and events
• which may take place in evenings and on weekends;
• Provide coverage and support for other TRI programming, as needed;
• Participation in staff meetings and staff development activities at SIJC, as required;
• Perform other duties as necessary to support the Staten Island Justice Center and department
• activities; and
• Perform other relevant program duties as assigned.

Position Type: Full-time. Must be able to work nights or weekends, as needed.
Position Location: Staten Island, NY
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of experience working with formerly incarcerated individuals and/or who have lived experience. Strong knowledge in reentry, justice system, Staten Island community resources & support services, and/or restorative justice is a plus. For this role, candidates must be able to think creatively and critically about their approach to helping people overcome barriers to reentry and community engagement as well as seek direction and advice when necessary and make independent decisions when possible. Good judgment, a trauma-informed approach, excellent communication, willing to learn, and good organizational and multitasking abilities are a must for this role. The ideal candidate will have a strong ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work. Computer literacy and knowledge of the justice system preferred. Candidates must have the ability to work with people from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds and be able to provide crisis management as needed. A driver's license a plus.
Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $27.48 - $32.96 per hour based on a 35-hour work week and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice 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 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.