Benefits Coordinator

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, $130 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

The Center is seeking a dynamic and compassionate professional to join the Center’s growing Human Resources team as a Benefits Coordinator. Reporting to the Benefits Manager, the Benefits Coordinator is responsible for supporting the strategy, operations, communication, implementation, and administrative functions of all benefits processes. This role will work functionally across Human Resources, Finance, and Payroll to provide the best level of support for our employees.

• Administer and oversee all aspects of employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, and other voluntary benefits;
• Compute and accurately enter payroll deductions for employees who enroll in benefits;
• Ensure accurate and timely enrollment of new employees in benefits plans and manage ongoing changes and updates;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee inquiries related to benefits, explaining options, resolving issues, and providing guidance as needed;
• Conduct benefits orientations for new hires and provide ongoing education to employees on their benefits packages;
• Collaborate with external vendors, such as insurance providers and retirement plan administrators, to resolve issues and ensure seamless administration of benefits programs;
• Stay informed about industry trends and regulatory changes related to employee benefits and ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations;
• Assist in the evaluation, selection, and implementation of new benefits programs and initiatives;
• Prepare and distribute communications materials related to benefits enrollment periods, plan changes, and other relevant information;
• Assist with annual benefits open enrollment processes, including planning, communication, and implementation;
• Process and reconcile benefits billing statements and provide finance department with detailed back up;
• Update Intranet with any benefit changes; and
• Work on ad-hoc projects as needed.

• A  Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of related experience;
• Familiarity with Paycom, Cigna and Principal is preferred;
• Excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication skills;
• Exceptional organizational, analytical and detail-oriented skills;
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, while efficiently completing tasks with multiple priorities and deadlines;
• The ability to use available resources and feedback to continually pivot, adapt and grow; 
• The ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality and discretion;
• You should have the capability to work independently and prioritize tasks to ensure the timely completion of projects; and
• A dedication to providing exceptional support to our employees will contribute to the success of our HR initiatives.

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 Headspace 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.

As of February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. While the Center does not require vaccination, we strongly recommend that all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up to date.

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.