Program Manager, Capacity Building

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

Neighborhood Safety Initiatives (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.

NSI is seeking a Program Manager, Capacity Building to support the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP), the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) award, Green Space Connections (GSC) program, and The Reimagining Intimacy through Social Engagement (RISE) Project.

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Program Manager of Capacity Building, the Program Manager will support NSI’s Technical Assistance portfolio that will include the development of curriculum, training and capacity building for Implementation Partners, MAP Engagement Coordinators and Resident Teams in the implementation of NeighborhoodStat citywide and local processes that support policy and action plan development. The Program Manager will also manage the planning and implementation of action plans, which includes built environment projects, public space programming, and social programs. 

The Program Manager will provide Technical Assistance support, and build the capacity of MAP Engagement Coordinators of 5 sites in the Brooklyn  Area. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Capacity Building & Project Management:

• Work closely with the Project Director and Associate  Director of Capacity Building to advance all NSI tasks and timelines, including but not limited to: action plans, NSI training documents and toolkits, site audits, surveys, and event and program support;
• Work closely with the Associate Director of Capacity Building in the creation of NSI toolkits and community organizing/place-keeping curriculum to provide technical on-site support to MAP Engagement Coordinators (MEC) and Implementation Partners that support skill-building and meet project goals;
• Provide training and support to MEC’s regarding place-keeping, community organizing and NSTAT processes in NYCHA communities. 
• Collaborate with NSI management to implement systems that support effective project planning and team support; 
• Provide support to MEC’s in processing event record forms, site/sound permits, action plan submission and execution, and purchasing requests for program activities and events across the NSI team; 
• Provide support to the Project Director and Associate Director of Capacity Building in the maintenance and coordination of program materials, place-making toolkit, and spreadsheets for project management;
• Assist MEC’s with ensuring continuity and progress of resident organizing goals through tracking and reviewing meeting agendas and minutes in a digital, designated, and centralized location; 

Organizing, Training, and Direct Action Support: 

• Share on the ground organizing responsibilities within Green Space Connections (GSC) which include and are not limited to: creating a resident stakeholder team, co-leading resident meetings twice a month, coordinate efforts with NSI Design and Operations to implement a $500,000 built environment project;
• Support NSI management in curriculum development and training for the ONS/NSTAT annual resident-led community-wide participatory process;
• Develop and retain a comprehensive engagement strategy for sites with clear benchmarks and outcomes while strengthening partnerships to better target key community priorities;
• Provide technical support to MEC’s by creating and facilitating a multitude of training around neighborhood mobilization in order to assist with the creation and sustainability of resident teams;  
• Attend in-person and virtual meetings with the MEC and their resident teams to facilitate training, provide technical assistance surrounding action plan development and implementation, outline logistics, and manage timelines;
• Utilize project management tools and facilitation guides with MECs, key management staff, operations, and stakeholders to ensure timely execution of project deliverables;
• Provide onsite technical support during resident-led community events, action plan implementation, meetings, etc.;
• Support resident advocacy for policy change by maintaining relationships with local community-based organizations, NYCHA staff, elected officials, and city agencies;

Project Development and Management:

• Provide oversight in the implementation of neighborhood engagement strategy and support project development and execution; 
• Attend meetings with program partners, vendors, resident teams and other collaborators to ensure local program activities and action plan projects are comprehensive, high-quality, and meet or exceed all expectations while adhering to CJI, city agency requirements, and/or regulations;
• Conduct check-ins with MECs and resident teams to ensure deliverables are met in a timely fashion, and that they have the information, resources, tools they need for implementation, and provide strategy and troubleshooting support when needed;
• Support MECs and resident teams in the development and execution of maintenance plans for existing place-keeping projects;
• Provide direct project management and oversight of physical space projects led by NSI;
• Provide technical support for the planning, coordination, and execution of place-keeping activities, community events/meetings, and direct action activities to address and advocate for community needs and concerns;

Research and Evaluation: 

• Support the Project Director of Capacity Building and Associate Director in the implementation of evaluation tools and methods across MAP sites;
• Meet regularly with the Associate Director of Capacity Building in order to keep track of NSI deliverables and evaluation status of Action plans; 
• Provide community survey training to MECs and assist with the tracking of data sources relevant to NSI;

Administration: 

• Work and communicate regularly with NSI management, Program Managers, MECs, operating office staff, and the Mayor’s office of Criminal Justice to support and advance project tasks and manage timelines;
• Support Associate Director of Capacity Building and NSI management with the onboarding and training of new staff;
• Support Assistant Director of Capacity Building in the reviewing of Action plan submissions, community event proposals, policy briefs, and other written documents related to NSTAT;
• Collaborate with NSI management, key Center staff, and design to implement systems that support effective project planning and team support;
• Maintain all task deadlines, events, project deliverables on a centralized and digital calendar;
• Additional tasks as necessary. 

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have:

• A Bachelor's degree with 2 years of administrative experience; or a high school diploma with 6 years of administrative experience;
• Candidates must be highly organized and detail-oriented;
• Excellent communication skills required;
• Willing to travel within the 5 boroughs and knowledge of NYCHA developments;
• Excellent time management and task prioritization skills;
• Ability to lift at least 20 pounds;
• Must show demonstrated knowledge of all Microsoft, including Excel, and Google Suite programs;
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred;
• Driver’s Licenses preferred.

Position Type:  Full-time (occasional weekends, evenings, and holidays)

Position Location:  Manhattan/Brooklyn, NY with occasional travel to other 3 boroughs 

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $66,490 - $80,000 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. 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.