Youth Engagement Specialist, Youth Justice Initiatives

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 offers an array of programming for both youth and adults in Staten Island, focusing on engaging those with current or past justice involvement or at-risk of justice-involvement. SIJC operates diversion, alternative to detention and incarceration, supervised release, reentry, mental health & wellness, workforce development, peer-led restorative justice and leadership development programs. The Justice Center’s Youth Justice Initiatives provide 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 Youth Engagement Specialist who will support as a Mentor in working with Youth Justice Initiatives participants ages 13 to 18. Reporting to the Youth Justice Initiatives Manager, the Youth Engagement Specialist (Mentor) will develop and oversee mentorship programming activities—including group workshops and individual mentorship sessions. These activities will take place virtually, on-site, and in the community. The Youth Engagement Specialist will work individually and with a team to assist participants in addressing the individual and societal factors that may impact their behavior. 

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 participant's homes and in the community several times per week and scheduling and participating in family events and outings;
• Facilitate group programming including, but not limited to, community engagement projects, group outings, weekly trauma informed group sessions, restorative justice circles, and workshops on topics related to positive youth development and skill-building, and leadership development;
• Carry out accurate and adequate case planning for mentees, including scheduling and participating in meetings related to mentees' well-being, as well as family team meetings, school meetings, meetings with external service providers, court appearances, and probation meetings, among others;
• Assist with monitoring youth compliance for mentees, including curfew monitoring, educational outreach, and weekly programming activities with probation, court mandates and disposition orders and maintain consistent communication with family and criminal court stakeholders such as lawyers, probation officers, and judges;
• Act as point person for participant’s support system—such as family members, neighborhood supports, and school staff— as needed;
• Provide 24/7 crisis management services as part of a rotating on-call schedule;
• Utilize online databases to track participant activities and outcomes;
• Provide coverage and support for other SIJC youth programming as needed;
• Participate in SIJC all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities;
• Attend SIJC events or community meetings after hours or on weekends, and;
• Perform other activities and duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:  The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma with 2-5 years of experience working with youth from marginalized communities and/or youth who have been involved in the juvenile or criminal system, or equivalent lived experience in a related area, preferably as a criminal justice practitioner. Excellent written skills are a must. Candidate must be skilled communicator able to work in multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community. A car and a driver's license is preferred but not required. 

Position Type: Full time with flexibility to work on weekends and evenings.

Position Location: Staten Island, NY

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $27.48 - $31.98 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.

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