Program Manager, Court Operations
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:
- Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
- Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and
- 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 Queens Community Justice Center (Justice Center), an operating project of the Center, works to create a safer, more equitable Queens through community-driven safety initiatives, alternative justice strategies, violence prevention, economic development, community healing, and youth opportunity.The Justice Center is seeking a Program Manager of Court Operations to oversee its early diversion and alternative to incarceration (ATI) programs. Project Reset, New York City's pre-arraignment diversion program operates in collaboration with the District Attorney’s Offices and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. Project Reset seeks to create a proportionate response to low-level crime by avoiding the use of incarceration and the potential harms associated with the traditional criminal justice process. Project Reset participants can complete programming in advance of their court date in lieu of prosecution. The Justice Center’s ATI program takes a holistic approach to prevent negative consequences that often accompany contact with the legal system. The Justice Center provides community-based alternative to incarceration options, such as social services to address underlying issues, to participants charged with low-level offenses mandated by the court. By providing alternatives to fines and jail time, the Justice Center seeks to reduce incarceration and help participants avoid criminal convictions and future justice system involvement.
Reporting to the Project Director, the Program Manager, Court Operations will be responsible for developing protocols and practices that are consistent with the ATI and Reset programs across the Center, including program implementation and project management; supporting the hiring and training of a diverse staff; and communicating and collaborating with a broad range of criminal justice, city government, and treatment community stakeholders. The Program Manager will troubleshoot operational and programmatic issues as well as facilitate collaboration with ATI and Reset programs across the Center. The Program Manager plays a key role in creating and overseeing quality assurance systems and internal audits to ensure that the program is consistently adhering to the program model, fulfilling its mandate, and providing accurate court reports and quality service to participants.
- Supervise the day-to-day operations of the Justice Center’s portfolio of alternative to incarceration and early diversion programs;
- Provide ongoing supervision and professional development support to a multidisciplinary staff consisting of a program coordinator, case managers, resource coordinator, and social worker;
- Provide on-call crisis management, when necessary;
- Engage in program design, development and implementation of new training modules, curricula and activities;
- Design and implement community projects and events in collaboration with department managers;
- Coordinate with various internal departments to support program operation and troubleshoot challenges;
- Lead regular reviews of program progress for the department;
- Participate in the Justice Center’s all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities;
- Spearhead events and special initiatives at the Justice Center and in the community;
- Attend community-based events and meetings after hours, as needed;
- Other duties and responsibilities, as needed.
- Support senior staff in program planning and operations, including aiding in the preparation of materials for protocols and procedures for all Justice Center ATI mandated and voluntary court-based programs;
- Develop and update policies and procedures for screening, assessment, court advocacy and reporting, supervision, discharge planning, continuous quality improvement, incident reporting, and mandated reporting;
- In partnership with the project director, manage communications between the Center's main office and the Queens project site;
- Assist with staff development and utilization of evidence-based practices;
- Create and maintain relationships with local social service providers, in conjunction with ATI staff;
- Collaborate with criminal justice personnel, including prosecutors, judges, and defense advocates to ensure timely and effective program operation;
- Develop, strengthen, and manage relationships with court stakeholders, subcontractors, and community-based social service providers;
- Provide ongoing oversight and quality assurance for both onsite programming and services offered by community-based service providers;
- Supervise a program coordinator and social worker;
- Support the program coordinator in their supervision of case managers and a resource coordinator;
- Work with program staff and research department to ensure participants’ non-compliance is addressed in a timely and appropriate manner;
- Draft reports, prepare presentations, assist with data analysis, and organize and document meetings;
- Assist in the development and scheduling of trainings for ATI staff;
- Coordinate with various internal departments to support program operation and troubleshoot challenges;
- Prepare grant progress reports and additional program reports;
- Manage the Project RESET daily operations and diversion team (including supervision, training and professional development);
- Develop and deliver new group-based programming to be completed by Project RESET participants;
- Support staff to provide referrals to participants, as needed, to help address issues such as substance use, mental health, trauma, domestic violence, housing, and vocational needs;
- Monitor project performance and identify areas for improvement in all aspects of the project;
- Manage all operations, including outreach, intake, scheduling, use of program space, and completion;
- Ensure that staff maintain appropriate and up-to-date participant information in an electronic database to ensure that programming is effective, performance measures are met, and services have the desired outcomes;
- Work closely with senior staff to ensure policies and procedures are consistent with the rest of the Justice Centers’ operations;
- Build and maintain relationships to collaborate with court stakeholders, funders, and community partners;
- Participate in CJI Reset meetings; and;
- Identify and maintain community partnerships for the benefit of Project RESET and it's participants, which may include: community members and leaders, elected officials, and local businesses.
Position Type: Full time. The standard work week is 35 hours.
Position Location: Queens, New York.
Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $66,490 - $82,400 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.