Engagement Specialist, Reentry Services

Company: Center for Justice Innovation
Location: Staten Island
Posted on: March 20, 2023

Job Description:

THE ORGANIZATIONThe 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 OPPORTUNITYThe Staten Island Justice Center (SIJC or "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. The Justice Center provides 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. -The Justice Center seeks two (2) Engagement Specialists, Reentry Services for its new reentry program. The Justice Center's Transformative Reentry Initiative (TRI) will provide participants with wraparound services focused on restorative practices, employment/educational support, mentorship, and social-emotional support. Reporting to the Client Engagement Coordinator, Reentry Services, the Engagement Specialists will be responsible for working with program participants pre and post-release. Duties include co-creating individual support plans, providing home 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 development 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 prior contact with the criminal justice system. -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; -
• Develop, 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 and work with participants to fulfill the goals and make the necessary connections that were identified in their individual support plan;
• Meet participants at discharge from DOC and DOCCS facilities, as 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;
• Provide 24/7 crisis management services as part of a rotating on-call schedule;
• 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; -
• Participate in staff meetings and staff development activities at SIJC, as required;
• Perform other relevant program duties as assigned. -Qualifications: - The ideal candidates will be formerly incarcerated and have lived experience with the criminal justice system and/or 2-5 years working closely with justice impacted citizens. A minimum of a High School Diploma is required. -Strong knowledge of reentry, the justice system, Staten Island community resources & support services, and/or restorative justice practices is preferred. 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. Sound judgment, a trauma-informed and non-judgemental "harm reduction" approach, excellent communication, a willingness to continue learning from and with their SIJC colleagues, and good organizational and multitasking abilities are a must for this role. -Candidates myst have a strong ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work. Experience with utilizing person-centered practices and language is preferred. Candidate must demonstrate cultural humility and competence in working with diverse participants and - have an ability to show discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established program guidelines. Exemplary interpersonal skills, excellent customer service, and a welcoming approach to feedback are required. Computer literacy and ability to learn new software are 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. Car and driver's license a plus. NYC defensive driving certificate highly desired. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with technology and video platforms such as Zoom, Teams and Google Meet. -Position Type: - -Full-time, in-person position working 5 days per week. Candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule including evenings, holidays and weekends.Compensation: - -The compensation range for this position is $27.40 - $32.56 -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 , Engagement Specialist, Reentry Services, Other , Staten Island, New York