Community Engagement Liaison, S.O.S Bed-Stuy

Company: Center for Justice Innovation
Location: Brooklyn
Posted on: March 19, 2023

Job Description:

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 ProgramsThe 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. -ResearchThe 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 AssistanceThe 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 OPPORTUNITYNeighbors in Action (NIA), formerly known as the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, provides anti-violence programs, youth programs, and resource links to community residents in the Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy) neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Its mission is to encourage communication and understanding, prevent future conflicts, and help foster stronger, healthier neighborhoods. The organization also houses two Cure Violence sites in partnership with the NYC Mayor's Office: Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights and S.O.S. Bed-Stuy, collectively known as Save Our Streets Brooklyn.Neighbors in Action Bed-Stuy is seeking a Community Engagement Liaison. Reporting to the Program Manager, SOS Bed-Stuy, the Liaison -will work to increase community activation opportunities to promote neighborhood safety; create and maintain bonds between residents and third-party organizations for service referrals and support; manage NIA's volunteer recruitment and management; serve as point-person for all the organization's community initiatives including event planning and special projects; and perform constant outreach activities to community stakeholders, local organizations, and businesses.Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and retain a comprehensive engagement plan, with a clear strategy, benchmarks, and outcomes, to create partnerships and gain a solid understanding of key community priorities;
• Capture community and resident insights and engage experts to create meeting and action agenda's that introduce residents to a variety of interventions strategies and/or frameworks for community organizing and problem-solving;
• Develop and maintain -a Client Relations Management (CRM) database inclusive of contact information for elected officials, local community-based organizations (CBOs), businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, government agencies (including NYPD), and other community stakeholders;
• Strategize -and implement -activation programming and community based initiatives for S.O.S. participants, community-members, and clients;
• Draft regular correspondence to community stakeholders about available activities and opportunities, including NIA events and accomplishments, via email, website, and text;
• Update outreach materials, talking points and presentation materials for Neighbors in Action and S.O.S. Bed-Stuy programs;
• Implement a volunteer management strategy, including utilizing appropriate technology for the maintenance of volunteer contact info, touch points, tracking, and appreciation;
• Represent NIA at community meetings, presentations, trainings, and conferences that are pertinent to the successful work of the organization;
• Discover new funding opportunities for NIA, including programming-specific grants that are geared towards therapeutic services, education and career opportunities for S.O.S. participants;
• Additional relevant tasks, as necessary.Qualifications: -The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree or a minimum of 3 years in a related area, preferably community engagement/organizing and/or community development. The ideal candidate will be passionate, skilled, and experienced in working with communities to promote health and safety. Candidates who are formerly incarcerated or have other experience in the criminal justice system are particularly invited to apply. However, they must have no pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence. Other requirements include:
  • Commitment to working toward positive community change;
  • Demonstrated success leading logistics, identifying and achieving project goals, quickly, effectively, and successfully in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment; -
  • Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment, create collaborative relationships with colleagues, and work/communicate well with multiple department leaders;
  • Superb facilitation skills to identify community issues, needs, feedback, and preferences in a timely manner; -
  • Superior project and time management skills, highly organized, detail-oriented and meticulous about quality, accuracy, and timeliness; -
  • A dynamic personality with a strong desire to lead and public speaking skills; -
  • Exceptional analytical, written and oral communication, presentation, and writing skills;
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with governmental and community agencies, non-profit organizations, and community groups; -
  • Experience working with a variety of community stakeholders;
  • Experience working with youth, especially ages of 16-24;
  • Ability to adapt and change course on strategies and actions, as needed;
  • Ability to incorporate the mission and values of Neighbors in Action into all community outreach and events;
  • Background in advocacy or community organizing;
  • Connection to and understanding of current conversations about community violence and building safe and healthy communities.Position Type: -Full-time, flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends.Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $24.36 - $29.24 -per hour based on a 35-hour work week and is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for overtime at 1.5x the hourly rate above 40 hours per week. 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. 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 or emails please.Powered by JazzHR

Keywords: Center for Justice Innovation, New York , Community Engagement Liaison, S.O.S Bed-Stuy, Other , Brooklyn, New York