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

Manhattan Justice Opportunities seeks to rethink justice in Manhattan and build a justice system that is more responsive to individuals’ and communities’ needs. Manhattan Justice is a centralized, court-based screening, resource, and referral hub that provides judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys in New York County Criminal Court and Supreme Court with a wide array of social service-based sentencing options in misdemeanor and felony cases. Manhattan Justice offers onsite case management, psycho-educational groups, and restorative justice programming, and provides referrals to community-based service providers for mental health, substance use, employment, primary health care services and more. These services, which are open to anyone who needs them—including mandated participants’ families and friends, and others affected by the criminal justice system—help people address underlying issues in their lives, build stability, and decrease their likelihood of further justice involvement. 

Manhattan Justice Opportunities (MJO) seeks a Case Manager, Housing to serve as an in-house housing expert supporting participants experiencing housing instability. The Case Manager will work closely with case managers, social workers, and program leadership to help participants obtain and/or maintain safe and stable housing, including emergency, transitional, and permanent options. This role leverages deep knowledge of New York City housing systems, subsidies, and community resources to remove barriers that contribute to justice involvement and program non-compliance. 

Participant Services

• Conduct housing assessments to determine participant needs, eligibility, and barriers, including family composition, safety considerations, mental health needs, and criminal justice history;

• Provide comprehensive, clinically-informed case management to a caseload of mandated and voluntary participants to address housing needs;  

• Assist participants with applications for supportive housing, affordable housing, vouchers (e.g., CityFHEPS, Section 8), rental assistance, and other housing programs;

• Support participants in accessing emergency housing, shelters, drop-in centers, or temporary placements, as well as in obtaining permanent housing placements and maintaining stability;

• Assist participants in obtaining identification, documentation, and other materials necessary for housing applications;

• Provide service planning focused on long-term housing stability; 

• Provide referrals to community-based service providers to address housing needs;

• Facilitate and help to develop and/or revise curricula for a range of on-site groups focused on common housing needs;

Team Collaboration and Program Support 

• Work collaboratively with case managers and social workers through case conferencing and coordinated planning;

• Facilitate trainings or informational sessions for staff on housing resources and processes;

• Provide updates on participants’ engagement in services to assigned social workers and case managers, as necessary to track participants’ compliance with court mandates; 

• Enter and maintain accurate up-to-date participant information in program databases, including assessment, case management, attendance, case outcome data, and other data consistent with reporting requirements;

• Support development of resource guides and participant materials;

• Participate in team meetings, group supervision, working groups, trainings, and program initiatives;

Coordination and Partnerships 

• Develop and maintain relationships with housing providers, supportive housing programs, city agencies, and community-based organizations;

• Coordinate with external housing providers and other organizations to ensure that participants successfully access resources/engage in services;

• Maintain current knowledge of housing resources, eligibility requirements, and system changes;

Administrative and Other Duties 

• Ensure high-quality documentation and compliance with reporting requirements; 

• Participate in cross-program housing initiatives within the organization;

• Attend program events, court meetings, and community events as needed; and;

• Perform additional tasks as necessary to support the project. 

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree preferred;

• At least two years of experience in criminal justice and/or a related field, such as healthcare, substance use and mental health treatment, homelessness and housing services, education, job training/workforce development, child welfare and family services, youth services, elder care services, domestic violence programming, sex offense treatment, and services for people with development disabilities, is required;    

• Experience assisting individuals with housing access in New York City, preferred; 

• Demonstrated knowledge of NYC housing systems, including NYCHA, DHS, supportive housing, and rental assistance programs;

• Knowledge and/or experience related to housing instability and/or the criminal justice system and its impacts on communities;

• Experience with substance use treatment, mental health services, co-occurring disorders, trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches, and working with social service systems preferred;  

• Commitment to being participant-centered and using holistic and strengths-based approaches, as well as the cultural humility to work with people from diverse backgrounds; 

• Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills; and;

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team; and Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred. 

Position Type: Full time

Position Location: New York, NY 

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $52,000 - $65,400 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.