Counselor, Jail Diversion

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 Center for Justice Innovation is seeking a Counselor, Jail Diversion to join a team of clinicians who assess the clinical and services needs of defendants currently being held in pretrial detention. This will include coordinating closely with the Manhattan Felony Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) Court to identify and assess potential participants. The ATI Court, which is led by Administrative Judge Ellen Biben, seeks to forge a new response to individuals charged with felonies by linking them to community-based social services. The Court is the first of its kind, providing an innovative model for other jurisdictions seeking to develop and implement meaningful post-conviction sentencing options for individuals facing felony charges.

Reporting to the Senior Social Worker, Jail Diversion, the Counselor will be responsible for conducting independent clinical assessments and drafting treatment recommendations for defendants being held in pretrial detention. The Counselor will conduct these assessments and complete these treatment plans according to a strict timeline, ensuring that the process is completed as quickly as possible. The goal is to provide information that will enable defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges to resolve cases as quickly as possible, significantly reducing the time people spend in pretrial detention.

An essential and dynamic feature of the Counselor’s role will be close collaboration with key external stakeholders. They will work regularly with New York City defense organizations and other defense attorneys, prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, staff at the Department of Correction and Correctional Health Services, the judge and court staff from New York County Supreme Court who oversee the Felony ATI Court, and an array of community-based alternative to incarceration and community-based providers. Court-based clinical work is an exciting, unique and demanding area of practice, and the Counselor role involves navigating and constructively engaging with differing and, at times, competing stakeholder perspectives. 

• Conduct individualized clinical assessments for people incarcerated in pretrial detention;
• Develop treatment recommendations that address issues such as substance use, mental health, trauma, domestic violence, housing, education, and employment, among other needs;
• Ensure that all assessments are completed and all recommendations are submitted according to a strict timeline; 
• Share and review treatment recommendations with defense counsel,
• Present treatment recommendations to legal stakeholders (judge, defense counsel, prosecutor, and court staff), when necessary;
• When defendants are referred to the Felony ATI Court, make appropriate community-based referrals for a variety of social service needs, such as substance use, mental health, trauma, domestic violence, housing, and vocational needs;
• Participate in regular interdisciplinary case conferences with court stakeholders while cases are pre-plea;
• Attend court, as needed, to help clients navigate court and collaborate with court staff and stakeholders;
• Conduct warm handoffs to case management staff prior to participants entering their plea;
• Collaborate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, the Felony ATI Court’s resource coordinators, community-based service providers, Department of Correction, Correctional Health Services staff;
• Enter and maintain appropriate up-to-date participant data in case management system, including all assessment and case information;
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation, as needed;
• Assist the Senior Social Worker with the refinement of existing practice and the development and implementation of new processes; including improving assessment and treatment planning processes, and implementing clinical best practices;
• Coordinate with the Center’s Jail Population Review team to ensure an efficient referral and assessment process for potential participants held in pretrial detention, as necessary;
• Participate in clinical group supervision, staff meetings, and trainings, as scheduled;
• Attend evening community-based meetings and events, as needed; 
• Assist with other programmatic and administrative tasks to support Manhattan Justice’s activities, as needed; and
• Additional tasks as necessary.

Qualifications:

• MHC and at least 4-5 years in criminal justice and/or a related field, such as healthcare, substance use and mental health treatment, homelessness and housing services, education, job training/workforce development, child welfare and family services, youth services, elder care services, domestic violence programming, sex offense treatment, and services for people with development disabilities, is required. Experience in a court or criminal justice settings, including working with incarcerated people preferred. Licensure as LMSW or LMHC in the state of New York is strongly preferred;
• Candidates must have willingness and ability to work collaboratively with a variety of court personnel and on-site partner agencies in a high-pressure/fast paced work environment;
• Ability to track and meet strict deadlines;
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health issues, substance use, trauma histories, co-occurring disorders, and/or homelessness strongly preferred;
• Candidates must have ability and openness to engage with differing and, at times, competing stakeholder perspectives;
• Candidates must have a commitment to, and experience with, trauma-informed, holistic, and strengths-based approaches, and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner;
• Knowledge and/or lived experience related to the criminal justice system and its impacts on communities preferred;
• Excellent organization and time management skills; 
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills; 
• Knowledge of community-based resources throughout New York City, and
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.

Position Type: Full-time.

Position Location: Lower Manhattan.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $65,000 - $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.