Community Engagement Specialist, Functional Family Therapy

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

Queens Community Justice Center (QCJC) operates an array of programming for local youth, with a particular focus on engaging those with justice involvement. Current initiatives include Youth Impact (peer-led restorative youth diversion program), an alternative-to-detention program, an alternative to incarceration program, workforce development initiatives, a trauma-informed, survivor-centered program for youth who are at risk of commercial sexual exploitation, and several mentorship programs. By offering positive pro-social programming for young people, QCJC aims to stop the cycle of delinquency and crime for adolescents and reduce reliance on detention. The comprehensive programming offers all participating young people leadership development and service opportunities designed to promote positive engagement in their communities.

QCJC is seeking to hire a Community Engagement Specialist for a community-based violence prevention program that aims to reduce violent recidivism through intensive and voluntary therapeutic services. This program is part of the Atlas initiative and uses the evidence-based Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model to engage young people and their families in holistic anti-violence services. 

Reporting to the Justice Center’s FFT Coordinator, the Community Engagement Specialist will be primarily responsible for conducting initial outreach in the community in multiple ways, including in-person. The Community Engagement Specialist is the first and primary point of contact for potential referral partners. The Community Engagement Specialist will also assist with connecting potential clients with voluntary therapeutic programming and resources. 

• Collaborate with the FFT Program Director, FFT Program Coordinator and FFT therapists on client engagement planning for referring clients to services;
• Provide and support to program participants as needed;
• Increase awareness of Atlas by educating community leaders, providers, referral sources, prospective participants/caregivers, and other audiences on FFT program benefits, through lectures, presentations, events, meetings, or other necessary communications with community and business stakeholders to facilitate Atlas referral generation;
• Provide supportive services and referrals for participants’ families as needed;
• Manage assigned strategic relationships, ensure continuous and effective communication with contacts, and promptly respond to all inquiries, requests, and referrals;
• Work with the Program Staff & other stakeholders in identifying appropriate events, community partners, or other resources and opportunities to educate the community about Atlas and provide education/technical/administrative support for planning and execution;
• Perform necessary administrative functions of the program to include, but are not limited to, developing information sessions and putting together handouts/packets with approved marketing materials;
• Regularly develop and plan a weekly and daily schedule of outreach activities in alignment with outreach strategies and targets as advised by Atlas;
• Meet targets and goals set forth by Atlas;
• Maintain knowledge of all applicable stakeholders and specific guidelines, including organizational and departmental standard operating procedures and policies and procedures;
• Maintain compliance with Atlas regulations;
• Attend required staff meetings and trainings; and
• Perform additional relevant tasks as needed.

• A minimum Associate degree or Higher in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Pre-Law, Public Administration, Community Development, and other related fields of study with emphasis on community development and work/services from an accredited college or university;
• At least two years of experience in community outreach, program coordination or a similar role;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to deliver presentations and engage diverse audiences;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including service providers, referral sources, and community leaders;
• Familiarity with administrative tasks such as planning events, developing informational sessions, and preparing handouts or marketing materials;
• Experience working with and/or mentoring high-risk populations, including understanding of pre-trial or re-entry programming;
• Strong ability to make connections to educational, vocational, internship/apprenticeships, and employment opportunities;
• Knowledge of career exploration, case management, internships, and job search strategies is a plus but not required;
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office; and
• Working knowledge of Zoom/Microsoft Teams.

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field;
• Prior experience working with evidence-based models/programs;
• Lived experience that enhances the ability to connect with and support program participants.
• Proficiency in a second language;
• Demonstrated understanding of the specific community served by Atlas, including knowledge of available resources, key stakeholders, and relevant cultural considerations;
• Experience with data tracking and reporting to measure the effectiveness of outreach efforts;
• Advanced problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate complex systems on behalf of program participants and their families; and
• An ability to handle high-level confidentiality, discretion, and a professional approach when dealing with sensitive information.

Position Type: Full-time.

Position Location: Queens, NY.

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 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 does not sponsor or support any immigration status, which includes supporting or completing any foreign student training plan. 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.