Engagement Specialist, Transformative Reentry Initiative

Staten Island, NY
Full Time
Staten Island Justice Center
Entry Level

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we’ve worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

  1. Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
  2. Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and
  3. Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond.

Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide.
Learn more about our work at www.innovatingjustice.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

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 is seeking an Engagement Specialist for the Transformative Reentry Initiative. 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 Specialist 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.

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 several times per week;
  • 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 Department of Corrections (DOC) and Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities, if 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;
  • 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;
  • Transport clients from DOC facilities upon release to Staten Island as needed;
  • Operate company vehicle in the community for community outreach and immediate client engagement and drive participants to referred services when needed;
  • Help with loading and replenishment of materials needed in the vehicle;
  • 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; and
  • Perform other relevant program duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
  • 3-5 years of experience working with formerly incarcerated individuals and/or who have lived experience is required;
  • Valid' driver's license is required;
  • Strong knowledge of reentry, the justice system, Staten Island community resources & support services, and/or restorative justice practices;
  • 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;
  • Strong ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work;
  • Experience with utilizing person-centered practices and language;
  • Ability to demonstrate cultural humility and competence in working with diverse participants;
  • Ability to show discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established program guidelines;
  • Exemplary interpersonal skills, excellent customer service, and a welcoming approach to feedback;
  • 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; and
  • Must be comfortable with technology and video platforms such as Zoom, Teams and Google Meet.
Position Type: Full-time, Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm, working weekends and nights as needed.

Position Location: Staten Island, New York.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $52,000 - $60,000 and is commensurate with experience. 

Benefits: 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 committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on 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 LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our goal is to create a supportive and respectful environment where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and included.

At this time, the Center is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Candidates are expected to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the hiring process. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of material facts may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of an offer, or termination of employment, regardless of when discovered.

In compliance with federal law, all hires must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment verification form upon hire. Please refer to the job posting for relevant contact information. If contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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