Associate Director, Operations and Planning

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways—by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.

The Center is an 800-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. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Center for Justice Innovation is seeking an Associate Director, Operations and Planning for Neighborhood Safety Initiatives (NSI), a community program supporting the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP), the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) award, and Green Space Connections (GSC) program, and The Reimagining Intimacy through Social Engagement (RISE) Project. 

NSI, a department of the Center, works to improve quality of life in New York City by investing in residents, transforming public spaces, and influencing policy to address structural racism, local concerns and enhance public safety, reduce victimization, and promote healing. The key pillars that form the foundation for our work are racial equity, shifting power, access to resources, inclusive design, and deep participation. Resident stakeholder teams collaboratively identify community conditions, access and analyze data, propose tangible solutions to challenges, and learn how to access the resources needed to carry them out. Staff co-design and execute participatory decision-making processes to center residents in government decision-making and resource allocation.

MAP, underway since 2014 and led by the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS), is a comprehensive strategy to enhance public safety and strengthen community well-being in 15 public housing developments across New York City. In 2022 this effort was expanded to 30 NYCHA developments across the city. A primary component that the Center has been contracted by ONS to co-design and implement is Neighborhood Stat (NSTAT), which aims to enhance safety by strengthening collaboration and capacity among community residents. 

The Bureau of Justice Assistance award expands the model of resident co-designed safety solutions into three public housing developments in East Harlem with a focus on youth and gun violence. The Bureau of Justice Assistance award pilot lessons learned from the Neighborhood Stat model within a single neighborhood at three public housing developments (Wagner, Jefferson, and Johnson Houses) to build out community-driven public safety strategies and address youth and violent crime in East Harlem. 

Green Space Connections aims to create a community‐facing replication strategy for scalability and a toolkit for NYCHA community leaders to continue to design and activate green spaces in the future. NYCHA residents are collaborating to create and activate community-designed green space at four NYCHA public housing developments including Castle Hill and Patterson Houses in the Bronx, and Roosevelt and Marlboro Houses in Brooklyn.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Neighborhood Safety Initiatives, the Associate Director, Operations and Planning will lead the project management and implementation of project processes, projects, and communication needs, which includes participatory design processes, public space programming, built environment projects, social programming, training, direct action agendas, assisting with timely reporting, and general project administration.

Operations: 

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Project Director and Project Directors, and oversee Operations Staff to advance all NSI tasks and timelines, including action plans, build environment projects, events and program support;
• Work closely with the Senior Project Director and Project Directors to maintain the policy and procedures manual for NSI;
• Manage NSI’s event processing system and provide guidance to Operations staff to assist Management and Program Managers in processing supply, catering, and purchasing requests, and coordinate delivery for program activities and events across the NSI team;
• Coordinate between Operations and Logistics staff in maintaining and coordinating program materials, placemaking toolkit, equipment, technology, and other inventory;
• Oversee Operations staff in managing NSI’s finances, which includes payment protocols, bill processing, orders, expense reports, and credit card reconciliation in accordance with the Center policies;
• Provide oversight to Operations staff and guidance to Program Managers in managing NSI’s contracts, ensuring timely submission and approval;
• Facilitate operations meetings with staff, subcontractors, vendors, and consultants to ensure fiscal, contractual, and operational compliance;
• Maintain inventory of office and program supplies, technology equipment, postage, program participant incentives, and Metro Cards;
• Update and distribute internal staff directories, identification, technology, uniforms, and related items;
• Ensure the timely submission of stipend requests for stakeholder teams monthly and maintain close communication with Fiscal to ensure timely payments;
• Facilitate the Operations meetings that include Management Staff, Operations Staff and more;
• Troubleshoot issues with the Center’s technology department as needed;
• Attend the Center’s monthly fiscal, contracts, operations, and facilities meetings;

Project Management:

• Oversee timelines and project management of NSI’s built environment projects to ensure implementation according to project deliverables;
• Establish and maintain processes for managing scope during the project lifecycle, setting quality and performance standards, and assessing risks;
• Support the development of working principles and practices that inform the workflow between operations, organizers, supervisors, design, and communications;
• Provide guidance and management support to Operations, Management, and Program Managers in selecting vendors for supplies, event production for community events, social programs, project development, implementation of built environment projects, and staff and participant retreats;
• Collaborate with Operations, Management, and Program Managers to procure vendors and obtain bids for projects, repairs, and installations, as well as sourcing materials;
• Work with Operations, Management, and Program Managers to purchase action plan materials, maintain materials, and organize delivery details;
• Report project outcomes and/or risks to the appropriate management channels and escalate issues as necessary, according to the project work plan;

Administration:

• Ensure the timely submission of Operations staff timesheets;
• Oversee and maintain NSI’s project and expense trackers to monitor project spending pace and habits;
• Process invoices and contracts as needed;
• Assist with grant writing and reporting as required; and
• Additional tasks as necessary.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in project management and administration, Master's degree preferred. The candidate must be passionate, skilled and experienced in working with communities to promote health and safety. Additional qualifications include: 

• Superior project and time management skills;
• Exceptional analytical, communication, presentation, and writing skills;
• Previous experience managing built environment projects is a plus;
• Demonstrated capacity to identify and achieve project goals quickly, effectively, and successfully in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment;
• Proven ability to work with a diverse, multi-disciplinary team;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with commercial vendors, community agencies, non-profit organizations, and community groups; and
• Availability to work weekends and evenings as needed.

Position Type: Full-time.

Position Location: Midtown, Manhattan

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $70,500 - $89,500 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. 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.