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 Onondaga County Pretrial Release Program (OC PRP) provides an alternative to pretrial detention and bail by ensuring that individuals facing criminal charges attend their court appearances and avoid rearrest while remaining in their communities. This is achieved through regular check-ins with dedicated program staff who provide support and facilitate connections to community-based services and resources. OC PRP reduces detention-related costs while keeping people in their jobs and with their families during the pendency of their case. The program's success is due to the Center's longstanding ability to integrate research and evidence-based practices to increase safety in partnership with the courts and local communities.  

The Center's Upstate Office seeks a Pretrial Release Clinician (Clinician) who will report to the Upstate Office Project Director. The primary responsibility of the Clinician will be to conduct required Cognitive Behavior Therapy-informed sessions with eligible OC PRP participants who indicate that they have mental health needs during the intake assessment. CBT-informed sessions are built on foundational CBT principles, using the Center's unique pretrial release model. The purpose of these sessions is to work with participants' existing motivation for change to support their engagement in prosocial goal identification and relevant services to address criminogenic needs. Relatedly, Clinicians also play a key role in linking assessment information to service and resource referrals, providing timely emergency referrals and crisis intervention and de-escalation support. Clinicians also work with participants to identify and address barriers to compliance and court attendance; conduct outreach to participants, court stakeholders, community-based service providers, and community contacts; lead other suitable programming, and ensure accurate and timely court reporting on participants' compliance with program requirements. Accurate and timely data entry is a core responsibility for this position.  

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Facilitate mandated and voluntary evidence-based practice sessions, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches;  

• Create voluntary service and resource plans that address participants' needs and goals;  

• Provide assistance to participants to support engagement with referrals, as needed;  

• Conduct intakes and holistic assessments for program participants, as needed;  

• Provide participants with information regarding any additional court mandates, such as mandated programming;  

• Schedule participants for their first check-in with their assigned Pretrial Release Specialist;  

• Case conference with Pretrial Release Specialists to discuss participant needs and/or service and resource plans;  

• Provide comprehensive, clinically-informed case management services;  

• Work with participants to identify and address barriers to compliance with supervision requirements and court attendance;  

• Monitor participants' compliance with supervision requirements;  

• Conduct outreach to participants, their community contracts, and defense attorneys to maximize compliance with supervision requirements;  

• Provide de-escalation and emergency intervention in response to incidents occurring in the courthouse and community offices, coordinating responses, debriefing, and documentation across the team and other departments;  

• Maintain accurate and timely data entry and case documentation aligned with the program model, court reporting obligations, and best practices;  

• Submit accurate and timely reports to court within designated time frames;  

• Maintain professional, productive, and positive relationships with external stakeholders, including court staff, judges, and attorneys;  

• Engage in consistent and effective cross-team communication and collaboration to proactively identify successes, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen programming, create opportunities for meaningful collaboration, and maximize internal and external resources and expertise;  

• Provide on-site shadowing opportunities and hands-on training for staff and external visitors related to job responsibilities;  

• Participate in individual, group supervision, and regular staff trainings to develop program expertise and related skill sets;  

• Lead peer supervision groups, as needed;  

• Attend project events, community events, and meetings after hours, as needed; and 

• Additional relevant tasks, as necessary.  

Qualifications:  

• Master's degree in a mental health field and 2 years direct practice (e.g. therapeutic or case management or counseling) experience required, LMSW or mental health license preferred;  

• Experience and competency with crisis intervention and de-escalation required;  

• Experience working in pretrial, court-based, or criminal legal system strongly preferred;  

• Must be detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills;  

• Experience working people needing substance use treatment, mental health services, or other services related to co-occurring disorders, or adolescent development, strongly preferred;  

• Experience using trauma-informed and strength-based approaches, Motivational Interviewing and CBT strongly preferred;  

• Comprehensive knowledge and experience with local social service providers strongly preferred;  

• Must be able to work effectively independently and as part of a highly interdependent, multi-disciplinary team within a fast-paced and dynamic work environment;  

• Professional demeanor and ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a variety of program stakeholders, including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, court staff, and site partner agencies;  

• Ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally-competent manner; and; 

• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.  

Position Type: Full-time in-person work required; Schedule may vary Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, and 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $61,000 – $68,000 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.