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 Justice Center, 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

Manhattan Justice Opportunities seeks to rethink justice in Manhattan and build a justice system that is more responsive to individuals’ and communities’ needs. Manhattan Justice is a centralized, court-based screening, resource, 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. Manhattan Justice offers onsite case management, psycho-educational groups, and restorative justice programming, and provides referrals to community-based service providers for mental health, substance use, employment, primary health care services and more. These services, which are open to anyone who needs them—including mandated participants’ families and friends, and others affected by the criminal justice system—help people address underlying issues in their lives, build stability, and decrease their likelihood of further justice involvement. 

Manhattan Justice is seeking a Resource Coordinator to provide coverage in various Criminal and Supreme Court courtrooms and to engage legal parties and participants. Reporting to the Court Operations Supervisor, the Resource Coordinator will be responsible for helping to explain Manhattan Justice’s services to legal parties, coordinating new referrals, orienting new participants to Manhattan Justice, and scheduling participants for services. Once a participant is enrolled in programming, the Resource Coordinator will provide regular written and verbal updates and compliance reports to the court, including to judges, clerks, defense attorneys, and prosecutors.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Cover Criminal and Supreme Court courtrooms and collaborate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges to identify participants for Manhattan Justice services;
• Communicate with prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and other court staff about Manhattan Justice’s services;
• Coordinate new referrals and schedule participants for intake and assessments;
• Ensure participants are connected with intake specialists, case managers, and/or social workers;
• Provide written and verbal case updates and compliance reports to defense, prosecution, and the court;
• Coordinate compliance reporting by tracking court dates and gathering updates from Manhattan Justice colleagues and community-based service providers;
• Enter and maintain accurate data entry in the electronic case management database, including outreach, case information, intakes, attendances and case outcome data;
• Manage a caseload of participants mandated to community service, as necessary;
• Collaborate and communicate professionally with all participants, legal parties, and other project stakeholders;
• Conduct intakes and needs-based screenings for newly mandated participants, as necessary;
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings;
• Attend evening court and community events and meetings, as needed; and
• Perform other relevant duties as necessary.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have:

• A Bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience working in a criminal court setting and/or human service field or 3-4 years of equivalent experience;
• Knowledge and/or lived experience related to the criminal justice system and its impacts on communities;
• Excellent writing skills and attention to detail required;
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work in multi-disciplinary settings and collaborate with multiple agencies and organizations;
• Openness to constructive engagement with other professionals in the court setting who have differing and, at times, competing perspectives;
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally responsive manner;
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.

Position Location: Manhattan, NY 

Position Type: Full-time. The standard work week is 35 hours, Monday through Friday.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $29.39 - $36.26 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.