Case Manager

The Center for Court Innovation is a non-profit organization that works to create a more effective and humane justice system by performing original research and helping launch reforms by guiding justice innovators, nationally and internationally. The Center creates operating projects that have been documented to reduce the use of jail and prison, assist victims of crime, and strengthen communities.

Through its Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) program, the Queens Community Justice Center (QCJC) offers meaningful responses to low-level offenses such as shoplifting, reckless driving, and illegal drug use.  Individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses often struggle with underlying issues such as substance use disorder, mental illness, unemployment, and trauma.  In response to low-level charges, judges may mandate participation in a range of social services designed to assist participants with their needs. These services take a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach.

Queens Community Justice Center is seeking a Case Manager whose primary focus will be working with individuals who engage in Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programming.  Reporting to the Program Manager, the Case Manager is primarily responsible for assisting with intakes, conducting assessments, providing connections to community-based resources, and helping to facilitate individual and group sessions.  In particular, the Case Manager will be responsible for managing a caseload of program participants, including referring participants to social service interventions, facilitating in-person or virtual case management meetings, sending regular court date reminders, and maintaining contact with attorneys’ offices and community-based providers.  

The ideal candidate will have experience with and commitment to applying an intersectional lens to their work that lifts and centers Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color, non-binary and trans youth and adults, and LGBTQ youth and adults with a commitment to anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and participant-led practices. Queens Community Justice Center strongly encourages and seeks applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ community members, and individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide comprehensive, clinically informed case management services and service referrals to individuals to help address issues such as substance use, mental health, trauma, housing, and educational/vocational needs;
• Provide individual and group counseling services to a caseload of short-term court-mandated clients;
• Conduct assessments and provide recommendations to court parties for services and treatment;
• Assist with data entry and ensure the accuracy of the information in the electronic case management system, including entering case notes and assessment, case management, programming, and case outcome data;
• Supervise and monitor participants admitted to ATI programming through regular in-person or virtual meetings, phone calls, emails, and text messages; this may include communication with clients on nights and weekends;
• Coordinate with service providers to facilitate, follow up, and assist participants with service referrals;
• Provide connections to resources related to housing, health insurance, educational, and vocational needs;
• Monitor and report on compliance to court stakeholders and work with defense and district attorneys to bring program participants into compliance;
• Conduct intakes and needs-based screenings for newly mandated clients;
• Co-facilitate and develop skills-based groups for participants based on presenting needs as determined by a thorough needs assessment;
• Establish and maintain linkages with community partners who can provide age-appropriate interventions and services to court-involved individuals;
• Assist with data management and grant reporting, compliance monitoring, and courtroom coverage when needed;
• Participating in interdisciplinary treatment meetings;
• Provide clinical services as described above to program participants voluntarily post-mandate; 
• Assist with other programmatic and administrative tasks to support the Queens Community Justice ATI program as needed;
• Attend all required staff meetings and training; 
• Attend community-based events after hours, as needed;
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed. 

Qualifications:  The ideal candidate will have Bachelor’s degree or 3-4 years experience working in case management as an equivalency. Experience in a court or criminal justice setting preferred, particularly experience with drug/alcohol treatment, mental health services, co-occurring disorders, adolescent development, trauma-informed, and strength-based approaches. Candidate must be willing and able to work collaboratively with various court personnel and on-site partner agencies in a high-pressure/fast-paced work environment. Candidates must also be comfortable working with adolescents, adults, and families. Highly organized, excellent time management skills, and strong writing ability required. Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent and gender-affirming manner required. Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred.

Position Type: Full-time; may be required to work a rotating schedule, including day and some evening hours, as needed.

Compensation:  Hourly rate begins at $24.24 per hour and is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for overtime at 1.5x the hourly rate above 40 hours per week. Excellent benefits package including comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance, four weeks paid vacation, paid sick time, confidential online therapy and mental health coaching via TalkSpace and Ginger, commuter benefits, Flexible Spending Account plans for health and dependent care, and a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match.

The Center for Court 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 please.

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