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

The Bronx Community Justice Center (BxCJC; Justice Center), one of the Center's newest projects, works to create a safer, more equitable Bronx through community-driven safety initiatives, violence prevention, youth opportunity, and economic development efforts.

The Bronx Community Justice Center is seeking a Project Director. Reporting to the Director, Programs and Director, Operations, the Project Director will manage all aspects of the planning and implementation of the Bronx Community Justice Center project including strategic planning, comprehensive community engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, hiring and training of staff, development of new programs and initiatives, development of policy, procedures and program materials, and management of contracting and fiscal reporting.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the strategic planning for the Bronx Community Justice Center, including planning and community needs assessment, community and stakeholder engagement, and development of relationships with community partners;
• Lead the strategic development, planning and implementation of Justice Center programs and initiatives;
• Manage fundraising and budget for Justice Center initiatives, in conjunction with development and fiscal departments;
• Supervise and support the Save Our Streets South Bronx gun violence prevention program;
• Develop and maintain relationships with funders, government officials, and stakeholders;
• Work with local and city-wide stakeholders to build place-making, workforce development and mobility out of poverty strategies;
• Manage existing relationships with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, and community stakeholders and develop new relationships;
• Identify community hot spots and work with staff to develop programming that empowers residents, creates civic opportunities for youth, reduces crime and sparks community revitalization;
• Oversee community organizing techniques used to mobilize the community to participate in activities designed to challenge and change local norms;
• Approve, develop, maintain, and track social media and marketing materials;
• Plan and oversee the execution of all Justice Center engagement activities;
• Ensure staff are providing the highest quality individual support, advocacy, education, training, internship, and employment services for program participants;
• Oversee all administration/management meetings and ensure that meeting proceedings are communicated to other Justice Center staff;
• Develop a leadership team and structure to support the Justice Center;
• Supervise leadership team and develop training and support systems for all staff, interns and volunteers;
• Model and facilitate creative problem solving, facilitation, community and youth organizing practices;
• Prepare grant progress reports and other program reports, as needed;
• Organize and participate in regular reviews with Center staff about program progress;
• Actively build a work culture centering anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice, community centered practice, and innovation; and
• Other relevant tasks, as needed.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree plus 5 years' experience OR a Bachelor's degree plus 10 years’ experience in leadership roles in innovative community-based organizations. LMSW's encouraged to apply. Other qualifications include:

• A strong connection and commitment to the South Bronx;
• Significant experience in leadership roles with innovative community-based organizations preferred;
• Extensive experience in strategic planning, project facilitation and management, community organizing, and coalition building;
• Extensive supervision experience a plus, preferably supervising multiple people simultaneously;
• At least 3 years of experience working in community violence prevention, economic mobility, youthwork, community organizing and/or place-based work;
• An understanding of the challenges and strengths of the South Bronx;
• Extensive experience developing and overseeing programs with multiple priorities;
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills with experience leading diverse teams;
• Experience fundraising and grant writing;
• Exceptional ability to communicate with and guide internal and external teams;
• Highly organized, responsible, innovative, and flexible;
• Excellent attention to detail and communication skills;
• Ability to do both immediate “nuts and bolts” thinking and long-term strategic planning, often simultaneously;
• Ability to effectively communicate in a transparent and direct manner;
• Experience with coaching and managing staff and developing teams;
• Demonstrated experience in setting and achieving strategic objectives; and
• Commitment to anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices.

Position Type: Full-time, some evening/weekend hours are required.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $108,000 to $141,750 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. The Center does 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 seek 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.

As of September 9, 2021, all new hires are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for medical, disability or religious reasons by the Center’s Human Resources Department.

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. Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. No phone calls or emails please.

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