Social Worker, Felony Alternatives to Incarceration

Job Description

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

Brooklyn Mental Health Court

The Brooklyn Mental Health Court launched in 2002 as NYC’s first mental health court, serving individuals charged primarily with felony offenses who are living with serious mental illness. The program diverts participants from jail or prison by conducting clinical assessments and then connecting them with long-term treatment in the community, along with rigorous judicial monitoring. The court aims to strengthen the justice system’s ability to identify, assess, and monitor individual participants, to create linkages between the justice and mental health systems, and to improve public safety by ensuring that participants receive high quality community-based services. 

Brooklyn Felony ATI Program

The Brooklyn Felony ATI Program utilizes a similar model to Brooklyn Mental Health Court, serving individuals facing felony charges who are not otherwise eligible for Mental Health Court or other treatment courts in Brooklyn. The program receives referrals through two pathways: (1) the dedicated Felony ATI court part within Brooklyn Supreme Court, with a dedicated judge and supervising prosecutor; and (2) through other court parts throughout Brooklyn Criminal and Supreme Court. Regardless of the referral pathway, all participants receive individualized assessments, onsite and community-based services, compliance monitoring and judicial monitoring for the life of the case.

BMHC is seeking a Social Worker for its Brooklyn Felony Diversion programs. The Social Worker will serve individuals who are mandated to  Brooklyn Mental Health Court and Felony Alternative to Incarceration (Felony ATI) programming through the Brooklyn Supreme Court. Reporting to the Clinical Director, the Social Worker is responsible for conducting psychosocial assessments, linking clients to a range of wrap-around services, providing comprehensive trauma-informed case management, compliance monitoring, and reporting for clients referred to the Brooklyn Mental Health Court and Brooklyn Felony ATI programs.  

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Conduct comprehensive assessments and write detailed psychosocial evaluations for clients with complex clinical needs who are currently incarcerated;
• Render a diagnosis utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5-TR;
• Use structured assessment tools that utilize a risk-needs-responsivity model in order to identify the types of services a client will need to participate in during their mandate in order to reduce recidivism;
• Complete assessments within a specific timeframe;
• Communicate with collateral contacts of participants and review records for assessment purposes;
• Communicate with Rikers Island discharge planning and Correctional Health Services for updates and release coordination;
• Conduct reassessments with clients that required stabilization before proceeding with the assessment process;
• Collaborate with the Center’s Jail Population Review team to ensure ongoing communication regarding referrals for assessment;
• Collaborate and maintain strong relationships with court stakeholders including the judge, District Attorney’s office, and defense attorneys;
• Provide detailed treatment recommendations to court parties for services and treatment;
• Make appropriate referrals to community-based organizations for additional services;
• Provide clinically-informed case management services to participants that address issues such as substance use, mental health issues, trauma, domestic violence, housing, and educational/vocational needs; and other challenges in client’s life (e.g. new arrests, family court cases and other civil legal issues);
• Manage and monitor compliance with treatment mandates, including care coordination with providers and obtaining compliance updates for court;
• Coordinate with court stakeholders on any non-compliance issues and assist clients in getting back into compliance, including re-engaging clients, arranging return on warrants, and implementing graduate responses to encourage future compliance;
• Maintain appropriate client information in electronic databases and paper files;
• Establish and maintain linkages with community partners who can provide appropriate interventions and services to court-involved individuals;
• Attend court with assigned participants for support, as needed;
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation, as needed;
• Participate in regular interdisciplinary case conferences with court stakeholders and treatment providers;
• Assist with the development and implementation of new initiatives; including best clinical practices, and appropriate evidence-based interventions;
• Attend individual and group supervision, team meetings, and trainings;
• Assist with administrative responsibilities including data collection and management, and grant reporting requirements, as needed;
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings;
• Attend community-based events after hours, as needed; and
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Qualifications: LMSW with a minimum of 3-4 years in criminal justice and/or related fields such as healthcare, substance use and mental health treatment, homeless services and supportive housing, domestic violence programming, sex offense treatment, and services for people with developmental disabilities is required. Candidates must be currently licensed in New York state. Excellent time management and written skills are a must. Candidate must be a skilled communicator able to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community. Prior experience working in a court or criminal justice setting, and/or with justice-involved communities preferred.  Bi-lingual strongly preferred.

Position Type: Full-time, Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Position Location:  Brooklyn, New York.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $60,500 - $78,800 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.

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