Outreach Worker, New Rochelle Justice Initiatives

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

New Rochelle Justice Initiatives (NRJI) aims to improve community safety and strengthen outcomes for New Rochelle's youth and emerging adults by investing in community-led safety, youth opportunity, and systems level innovation. Building on the Center’s successful court  and community-based project models, New Rochelle Justice Initiatives brings together a range of systems level and community-based efforts that harness the efforts of  key community stakeholders, youth and young adults, and community residents to create a safer, more equitable community.  

New Rochelle Justice Initiatives is seeking an Outreach Worker who would report to the Project Director. The Outreach Worker will serve as a mentor and advocate to a caseload of 15-20 youth and young adults most impacted by criminal legal systems and community violence. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Identify and form relationships with individuals who are justice impacted and/or at high risk of involvement in gun related issues use transformative mentorship strategies;
• Build and maintain a caseload of participants, and develop and implement a personalized individual action plan with each participant;
• Provide participants with support and linkages to programs and opportunities in the community (e.g., job programs, GED, drug treatment);
• Provide individual mentorship using a transformative mentorship model; 
• Engage participants in community settings, provide street outreach, and provide participant advocacy at court dates and as needed in additional settings; 
• Facilitate weekly mentorship groups;
• Implement gun diversion workshops using a providing curriculum; 
• Work with community partners and residents to identify and diffuse “hot spots” for community conflict and violence;
• Intervene in local conflicts to try to prevent an outbreak of violence, and work to prevent retaliations when violence does occur;
• Conduct outreach to the New Rochelle community (individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with youth, residents, businesses, and community groups;
• Document all work including  case notes, referrals, contacts with participants, and changes in participant’s status;
• Plan, attend and help facilitate community and participant events;
• Work collaboratively with community-based partners, criminal legal stakeholders, and city agencies; 
• Attend and participate in all mandatory staff meetings, trainings, workshops and other team meetings as required, which may include non-traditional business hours;
• Attend weekly supervision and keep supervisor informed of all work-related activities;
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Position Location: New Rochelle, NY

Position Type: Full-time, evenings and weekends. Schedule may be flexible, changing, and include late nights. Regular hours are 12pm-8pm. 

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma as well as a minimum of 2 years experience OR the equivalent in a related area, knowledge of mental health illness and understanding of psychosocial triggers, strengths and personal needs. The candidate should reside in or have an in-depth knowledge of New Rochelle. Experience working with  youth impacted by criminal legal systems and gang members, and knowledge of the street sets, crews, gangs, and or groups is a must. Candidate must be able to walk 30 blocks or more on a regular basis and work a flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Must be willing to work in inclement weather. Excellent communication skills, commitment to working towards positive community change, and interest in learning new skills and information are a must for this position. Candidates who are formerly incarcerated or have other experience in the criminal justice system are particularly invited to apply.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $27.48 - $32.40. 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.

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