Community Navigator, Harm Reduction

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a community justice organization that centers safety and racial justice. Since our founding in 1996, the Center has partnered with community members, courts, and the people most impacted to create stronger, healthier, more just communities. Our decades of experience in courts and communities, coupled with our field-leading research and practitioner expertise, help us drive justice nationwide in innovative, powerful, and durable ways. For more information on how and where we work, please visit www.innovatingjustice.org.  

The Center is a 900-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 Justice Center, 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. 

Center Support

A dedicated support team within the Center ensures the smooth functioning of operations across various domains, including finance, legal, technology, human resources, fundraising, real estate, and communications. Comprising 15% of the organization's staff, these teams provide essential infrastructure support and innovative solutions aligned with the Center's mission and values. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Midtown Community Justice Center seeks a Community Navigator, Harm Reduction, for the Community First program. The aim of Community First is to create an upstream diversion from arrest and justice system involvement by building supportive relationships with people in need of services and creating linkages to mental health services, housing support, substance use services, and other kinds of social services as needed. Community First is a partnership between Midtown Community Justice Center, Breaking Ground, Fountain House, and Times Square Alliance. 

The Community Navigator, Harm Reduction, will be tasked with engaging community members frequenting the Times Square and Midtown Manhattan area who are experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness and who use drugs. In keeping with the Community First model, the Navigator will build trusting relationships with those individuals, and facilitate linkages to social services and other resources in the community. This position will work in collaboration with Housing Works and Ryan Chelsea-Clinton Community Health Center to offer a wide array of harm reduction strategies and materials, including clean needle exchange, safer use kits, naloxone, Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips, and Medication Assisted Treatment. The Community Navigator, Harm Reduction, will also work with clients of MCJC’s onsite programs, including court-based and diversion programs, who use drugs and are unstably housed.

• Ensure adherence to requirements of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Opioid Overdose Prevention Program;
  • Ensure all MCJC staff complete and stay up-to-date on train-the-trainer training requirements, so they can train others to properly administer naloxone and use fentanyl and xylazine test strips;
  • Monitor and report to the NYC DOHMH on naloxone and test strip kit distribution across MCJC’s programs;
• Facilitate and support Harm Reduction workshops and one-on-one sessions for MCJC clients and community partners;
• Perform street outreach to engage unstably housed people using drugs in Times Square and the broader Midtown Manhattan neighborhood;
• Identify and build relationships with individuals who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and who use drugs and/or have co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders both through street outreach and MCJC’s court-based and diversion programs;
• Work with a diverse population in a mutually respectful manner, using a strengths-based approach;
• Serve as a peer mentor to people who use drugs;
• Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of local resources related to health and wellness, public benefits, housing, employment, training, immigration, and more;
• Provide mobile case management and accompany clients to appointments and service providers;
• Develop and maintain relationships with local businesses that can provide support including employment opportunities, access to bathrooms, access to free food and supplies, etc.;
• Maintain relationships with Community First partner organizations including Times Square Alliance, Fountain House, Breaking Ground, Housing Works, and Ryan Chelsea-Clinton Health Center;
• Conduct outreach to encourage attendance at court appearances and court-mandated programming;
• Contribute to data collection, documenting case management efforts, and adding to the monthly report due to stakeholders; 
• Adhere to policies and procedures of the Community First program and Midtown Community Justice Center;
• Accurately and efficiently document client interactions and completion of assigned tasks;
• Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with MCJC and partner organization staff to provide client updates;
• Keep supervisor informed of all work-related activities;
• Attend weekly supervision, trainings, and staff meetings and participate in community engagement projects, meetings, and events, including during some evenings and weekends, as needed;
• Foster a supportive environment among Community First and MCJC team members; and
• Perform additional relevant tasks, as needed. 

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and at least 2 years of relevant experience. Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Coach certificate a plus. Candidates must have experience working with a diverse population, including individuals with a history of substance use and/or mental illness, using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. Bilingual (English-Spanish) is preferred. Additional qualifications include: 

• Have lived experience with drug use and substance use treatment and are comfortable serving as a role model of personal recovery to connect with clients and support them in their goals;
• Experience with harm reduction, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive practice required;
• Individuals who are formerly incarcerated, live with a behavioral health diagnosis, and/or have experienced housing insecurity are encouraged to apply;
• Able to walk 30 blocks or more on a regular basis while carrying a supply bag weighing up to 20lbs; 
• Knowledge of community-based resources throughout New York City, especially in Midtown Manhattan;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of harm reduction;
• Able to motivate clients in a courteous, empathic, and professional manner;
• Commitment to working as part of a collaborative team to ensure coordination of care for participants;
• Strong communication skills to convey information clearly, accurately, and completely;
• Able to maintain a professional demeanor, especially during difficult engagements;
• Familiarity with a case management system, as well as Microsoft Outlook and G-Suite a plus
• Strong work ethic, particularly in a team setting; and
• Commitment to creating, promoting, and maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and anti-racist work environment.

Position Type: Full-time.

Position Location:  Manhattan, NY, specifically the Midtown Community Justice Center (314 W 54th Street, New York, NY 10019).

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