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

Operating within the centralized criminal courthouse, Bronx Community Solutions provides meaningful early diversion, pre-plea and post-conviction sentencing options to participants, in lieu of traditional outcomes. By participating in one of Bronx Community Solutions programs, participants are connected to an array of onsite staff, including social workers, case managers, and group facilitators, with the goal of addressing underlying social service needs and connecting participants to an array of community-based organizations, using the arrest as a window of opportunity to change the direction of an individual’s life and avoid unnecessary incarceration.

Bronx Community Solutions seeks a Community Improvement Coordinator. Reporting to the Senior Program Manager of Community Programs, the Coordinator will be responsible for leading the Community Improvement department. This includes supervising two Community Improvement Crew Supervisors and overseeing all court-mandated community service across various locations in and around Bronx County. Additionally, the Coordinator will constantly seek opportunities to collaborate with community partners throughout the Bronx. The Coordinator will identify and facilitate voluntary service initiatives alongside community members, schools, and other stakeholders to grow the positive impact of the organization in the Bronx.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage all aspects of the court-mandated community service process for quality and effectiveness;
• Establish and maintain a positive and welcoming work environment for all mandated participants so that they may thrive in giving back to the community, rather than seeing their work as punishment;
• Hire, train, and orient new community improvement staff members;
• Support and guide crew supervisors to create a participant-centered approach at the various work sites;
• Maintain a rotating presence at all community improvement service sites;
• Serve as the backup on-site supervisor whenever necessary;
• Oversee the timely and appropriate tracking of participant attendance so that BCS may report on compliance to all court parties;
• Oversee the budget, inventory, and maintenance for all department related infrastructure, including the department’s van, storage space, tools and supplies;
• Work with the Senior Program Manager to plan and implement innovative community improvement projects throughout the Bronx;
• Conduct presentations and facilitate meetings with potential hosts of future community service sites;
• Cultivate and sustain partnerships with community stakeholders, including but not limited to community boards, business improvement districts, community-based and non-profit organizations, city and state agencies, schools, and neighborhood associations;
• Work in close collaboration with leaders of other BCS departments to identify and address any problem areas;
• Operate company vehicle in the community for community outreach and immediate client engagement and drive participants to referred services when needed;
• Help with loading and replenishment of materials needed in the vehicle;
• Bring a team-player mindset to the workplace, and infuse that into clear communication with all internal BCS communications; and
• Attend project events, community events, and meetings after hours, as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and at least 2-3 years of relevant experience along with 1-2 years of supervisory experience required;
• Valid drivers license with at least 2-3 years of driving experience required;
• Spanish speaking is preferred;
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills are required;
• Be a skilled communicator able to connect with a variety of different intended audiences;
• Have a demonstrated deep appreciation for the value of community service and volunteerism;
• Proficiency in basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite, and previous database experience; and
• Knowledge and connection to Bronx neighborhoods is strongly preferred.

Position Type: Full-time, in-person role. Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, working weekends and evenings as needed.

Position Location: Bronx, NY, with occasional travel to other sites.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $64,350 - $74,270 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.