Social Worker, Project Reset - New York, NY

THE ORGANIZATION · The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we've worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier ...

Job description

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we've worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

1. Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
2. Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn't; and
3. Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond.

Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide.
Learn more about our work at

THE OPPORTUNITY

Launched in 1993, the award-winning Midtown Community Justice Center is one of the country's first problem-solving courts. It provides alternatives to fines and jail as a response to low-level crime. Seeking to reduce crime and incarceration, and increase public trust in justice, the Midtown Community Justice Center works with neighborhood stakeholders to improve Midtown Manhattan, and to serve the vibrant Midtown community, specifically those in need of services. The Justice Center's court responds creatively to low-level offending, seeking sentences that are restorative to the defendant and community. In 2023, Midtown Community Justice Center celebrated 30 years of operation and was renamed to Midtown Community Justice Center to reflect the work we do in the community. The work has continued to move upstream and beyond the walls of our physical space through expanded diversion initiatives, street outreach, and community engagement.

Midtown Community Justice Center offers a diversion program that provides people who are arrested an off-ramp from criminal prosecution: Project Reset. The Center for Justice Innovation operates Project Reset, New York City's pre-arraignment diversion program, in all five boroughs and the Midtown Community Justice Center operates the program in Manhattan. In collaboration with the District Attorney's Offices, the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, the defense bar and the New York Police Department, Project Reset seeks to create a proportionate response to low-level crime outside of the traditional criminal justice process. Project Reset-eligible community members receive the option to participate in a one session program in advance of their court date. Upon completion of the session, the District Attorney's Office will decline to prosecute the case. The Midtown Community Justice Center also offers Rapid Reset, which offers the same diversion opportunity to Project Reset-eligible people who show up to court.

Midtown Community Justice Center is seeking a Project Reset Social Worker. Reporting to the Project Reset Program Coordinator, the Social Worker will facilitate psychoeducational group-based curricula and provide individual counseling and case management to Project Reset and Rapid Reset participants. When appropriate, the Social Worker will work with clients on a voluntary basis and make referrals to additional services. The Social Worker will also provide clinical support to direct service staff on the Project Reset team and collaborate with Midtown's Clinical Director to ensure quality clinical care through Project Reset. The Social Worker may also be called upon to provide general support to other clinical programs at Midtown Community Justice Center, as needed. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct group-based programming for Project Reset and Rapid Reset programming for Midtown's Court Parts, including AP6 and the Emerging Adult Court which serves ages 18–25; 
• Conduct case management and individual counseling sessions for Project Reset and Rapid Reset clients that address issues such as substance use, mental health issues, trauma, domestic violence, housing, and vocational needs;
• Offer voluntary short term counseling sessions upon participant completion, as requested and appropriate; 
• Support the development of group and individual programming in response to client needs and trends;
• Support Rapid Reset programming at the Midtown Community Justice Center by conducting intakes and screenings, connecting participants to programming, updating compliance, and facilitating group workshops;
• Maintain accurate electronic records in the Center's internal case management system and in a Salesforce database shared with project partners;
• Collaborate with Program Coordinator to track participant trends and success stories to inform program evaluation and continuous improvement;
• Work with Midtown Community Justice Center's clinical staff and Case Managers to refer participants to voluntary social services;
• With the support of the Clinical Director and Senior Social Worker, provide clinical guidance to the Project Reset staff;
• Facilitate coordinated service delivery from on-site and community-based partner agencies; 
• Identify and cultivate referral options for program participants;
• Support with Project Reset outreach and scheduling as needed;
• Actively engage in new initiatives at Midtown Community Justice Center; 
• Participate in staff meetings, team-building exercises, trainings, and site visits;
• Participate in evening and weekend community meetings, events, and programming, as needed; and
• Perform other relevant duties, including coverage and support, as needed to support the Midtown Community Justice Center and Center for Justice Innovation. 

Qualifications:  LMSW and a minimum of 1-2 years prior work in criminal justice and/or a related field required. Additional qualifications include:

• Bilingual preferred; 
• Previous experience working with court-involved populations; 
• Experience conducting highly-engaging, substantive group programming; 
• Commitment to using, and preferably have experience with, trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches; 
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally-competent manner; 
• Knowledge of community-based resources throughout New York City preferred; 
• A self-starter who can successfully be part of a diverse workforce and get things done in a fast-paced environment; and
• Willingness to work collaboratively with a variety of court personnel and on-site partner agencies.  Court-based social work is a unique and demanding area of practice, and candidates must be open to constructive engagement with other professionals who have differing and, at times, competing perspectives. 

Position Type: Full-time.

Position Location: Manhattan, NY. 

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $58,200 - $75,700 and is commensurate with experience. 

Benefits: 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 is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. 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.

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.