Outreach Worker, Save Our Streets South Bronx

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 Programs

The 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.

Research

The 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 Assistance

The 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 OPPORTUNITY

The Bronx Community Justice Center, a program of the Center for Justice Innovation, works to create a safer, more equitable Bronx through community-driven safety initiatives, violence prevention, youth opportunity, and economic development efforts. Save Our Streets South Bronx is a replication of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention’s evidence-based Cure Violence program, a cutting-edge gun violence prevention model that aims to reduce and prevent shootings through the use of public health strategies. 

The Bronx Community Justice Center is seeking an Outreach Worker for the Save Our Streets South Bronx program. Reporting to the Outreach Worker Supervisor, the Outreach Worker will serve as a mentor and peer counselor to a caseload of 10-15 individuals most impacted by community violence, redirecting them toward positive attitude, behavior, and lifestyle changes.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Identify and form relationships with individuals who are at high risk of involvement in shootings and killings to help them rethink the impulse to act violently and redirect their lives in more positive directions;
• Build and maintain a caseload of participants, and develop and implement a personalized risk reduction plan with each participant;
• Work with community partners and the rest of the S.O.S. team to identify and diffuse “hot spots” for shootings and violence;
• Intervene in local conflicts to try to prevent an outbreak of violence, and work to prevent retaliations when violence does occur;
• Provide clients with support and linkages to programs and opportunities in the community (e.g., job programs, GED, drug treatment, and mentoring);
• Conduct outreach to the community (individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with youth, residents, businesses, and community groups;
• Participate in organizing responses to shootings;
• Increase visibility when shootings/killings take place in the target area and surrounding target area;
• Keep supervisor informed of all relevant community activities;
• Document all work including shootings and other acts of violence prevented, case notes, referrals, contacts with participants, and changes in participant’s status as directed by the Outreach Worker Supervisor and Program Manager;
• Refer participants to programs that are a part of the New York City “Crisis Management System” including therapeutic services, legal services, and employment services, as needed;
• Plan, attend and help facilitate community and participant events;
• Attend and participate in all mandatory staff meetings, trainings, workshops and other team meetings as required, which may include non-traditional business hours;
• Attend weekly supervision and keep Outreach Worker Supervisor informed of all work-related activities;
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Position Location: South Bronx 

Position Type: Full-time, evenings and weekends. Schedule may be flexible, changing, and include late nights.

Qualifications: Candidates who are formerly incarcerated or have other experience in the criminal justice system are particularly invited to apply. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma as well as a minimum of 2 years’ experience OR the equivalent in a related area, knowledge of mental health illness and understanding of psychosocial triggers, strengths and personal needs. The candidate should reside in or have an in-depth knowledge of Morrisania or Mott Haven. Experience working with at-risk youth and gang members, and knowledge of the street sets, crews, gangs, and or groups is a must. Candidate must be able to walk 30 blocks or more on a regular basis, pass a drug screening, and work a flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Must be willing to work in inclement weather. Excellent communication skills, commitment to working towards positive community change, and interest in learning new skills and information are a must for this position. 

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $27.48 - $32.40 per hour based on a 35-hour work week and is commensurate with experience. 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. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do 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 welcome 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. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included.

As of February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccination for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. Accordingly, the Center does not require all new hires be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the Center recommends all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up-to-date on the vaccination.

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. Kindly refer to the job posting for the relevant contact information. If the contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from making inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.