Social Worker, Alternative to Incarceration

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 Court, 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

Bronx Community Solutions (BCS) is seeking a Social Worker for their adult intervention programming. Bronx Community Solutions is an initiative that seeks to reengineer the response to low-level crime in the Bronx. By providing judges with additional sentencing options for non-violent offenders, Bronx Community Solutions reduces the reliance on short-term jail sentences and offers defendants the assistance they need to avoid further criminal conduct. Reporting to the Clinical Director, the Social Worker will be primarily responsible for the facilitation and coordination of a brief group intervention for justice-involved individuals as well as conducting clinical assessments, making appropriate treatment referrals, and reporting to court. The intervention is grounded in procedural justice, risk-need-responsivity, and trauma-informed care and is designed to help participants reflect on environmental factors that influence, and often constrain, decision making. The Social Worker will work closely with an interdisciplinary team providing adult case management services. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Facilitate a three-to-five session clinical group intervention, with fidelity to the model, for cohorts of justice-involved individuals ages 25 and up;
• Facilitate a range of on-site psychoeducational groups and conduct individual counseling sessions;
• Provide comprehensive, clinically-informed case management services to a caseload of short- and long-term mandated clients;
• Conduct clinical assessments and make appropriate referrals for treatment and other services;
• Maintain appropriate client and group information in electronic databases and hard files;
• Make appropriate community-based referrals for a variety of social service needs;
• Conduct outreach to outside services providers to increase referral sources for clients;
• Manage and monitor compliance with service mandates;
• Participate in individual and group supervision;
• Participate in department staff meetings, interdisciplinary meetings, and on- and off-site trainings;
• Assist with administrative responsibilities, including data management, grant reporting and compliance monitoring; 
• Provide clinical services as described above to voluntary clients if/where needed; and 
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have an MSW or a degree in a related field, with a minimum of two years experience in a related area and must either be currently licensed or obtain the New York LMSW licensure within 90 days of hire. Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred. Excellent written skills are a must. Candidate must be skilled communicator able to work in multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community. Extensive group facilitation experience required and co-facilitation experience preferred. Experience with drug/alcohol treatment, mental health services, co-occurring disorders, trauma informed and anti-oppressive practice strongly preferred. Experience facilitating conversations related to identity, oppression, and privilege and must excel at client engagement. Highly organized and excellent time management skills. Sense of humor, critical thinking skills, and ability to manage high pressure/fast-paced work environment are a plus.

Position Type: Full-time

Position Location: Bronx, NY

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $56,500 - $63,820 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Court 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.