Engagement Specialist, Reentry Services

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.

The 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 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 Program Manager, the Engagement Speicalists 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 duties as necessary to support the Staten Island Justice Center and department activities;
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Qualifications:  The ideal candidate will have 2-5 years of experience working with formerly incarcerated individuals and/or who have been involved in the criminal justice system. Strong knowledge in reentry, justice system, Staten Island community resources & support services, and/or restorative justice is a plus. A minimum of a High School Diploma is required. For this role, 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. Good judgment, a trauma-informed approach, excellent communication, willing to learn, and good organizational and multitasking abilities are a must for this role. The ideal candidate will have a strong ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work. Candidate must not have any pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence. Computer literacy and knowledge of the justice system 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. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with technology and video platforms such as Zoom.

Position Type:  Full-time; must be able to work evenings and weekends, as needed.

Compensation:  Salary range starts at $41,040 and is commensurate with experience. 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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