Administrative Assistant

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

Brooklyn Justice Initiatives (BJI), is a program that seeks to transform how people navigate the legal process of criminal court in Brooklyn, NY, and provides meaningful early diversion, supervised release for people awaiting trial, and alternative sentencing options. Operating out of Kings County Criminal Court, Brooklyn Justice Initiatives is a team of social service providers, court-based resource coordinators, and others who seek to improve the quality of justice for justice-involved individuals. Our team offers pre-arraignment diversion and post-conviction sentencing options by providing proper alternatives for individuals coming in contact with the criminal justice system in Kings County, we look to help aid in non-criminal dispositions. 

AVAILABILITY
Applicants must be available to commit to serve 15 to 20 hours a week, 2-3 days per week (Monday-Friday), 9am-5pm with occasional evenings and weekends. 

• Provide front desk and waiting room coverage, as needed, by greeting all visitors, collecting basic information ensuring client’s needs are addressed in a timely and professional manner, notifying appropriate staff of client arrivals and incoming calls, distributing program supplies, and maintaining a professional and welcoming environment;
• Assist with the distribution of Metrocards, gift cards, cellphones, care packages, and harm reduction supplies to program participants, as needed;
• Support the Operations Coordinator with office maintenance, including but not limited to keeping office spaces organized and tidy;
• Support the Operations Coordinator and staff in resolving general tech and facilities issues and liaising with CJI Tech and Facilities Departments, respectively;
• Work with clinical supervisors, security/court officers, or other appropriate staff in addressing any emergency situations, crises, or escalations that may take place in the office;
• Support special events, groups, and site visits; which includes ordering food, tech set up, arranging desk/chairs/tables, printing out materials/agendas, and tabling;
• Keep track of inventory of program and office supplies, flagging when inventory is low and new orders need to be made;
• Support with ordering of supplies and equipment, as needed;
• Attend BJI meetings and events after hours, as needed;
• Attending all required staff meetings and trainings, as needed; and
• Support with other relevant tasks/responsibilities, as needed.

• High School Diploma or equivalent;
• Interest in working with communities and/or service;
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred;
• Ability to communicate appropriately with varying levels of stakeholders;
• Highly organized, excellent communication skills, and strong writing ability with the capacity to be detail-oriented within a fast-paced;
• Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft and Google Suites, and be able to use Skype for business; and
• Must have the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally-responsive manner and work independently and collaboratively.

BENEFIT OF SERVING
Our program has a variety of full-time and minimum-time opportunities. Serving is a great way to strengthen your professional network, make a difference within communities and social justice.

During service, you will receive:

• Minimum-time members receive a living allowance of $1,500 and an educational award of $1,565.08 upon successful completion of their term.
• Skills-based and professional development training; and
• As an AmeriCorps Member we offer services like 24/7 toll-free telephonic access to services for members, Unlimited in-the-moment telephonic counseling services with master’s degree-level counselors, a Mobile app with resources and appointment scheduling access, Medical advocacy, Financial and legal assistance (30-minute consultations), Life Coaching, Personal concierge for everyday needs, Work and life resources and referrals.

After service, you will receive: 

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to use on future educational expenses or to pay back qualified student loans. The value is dependent on length of service. Members 55+ are eligible to transfer their Education Award to a family member.
• Competitive job edge in your job search, including access to a network of over 600 employers of National Service

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.