Counselor, Jail Diversion

About the Center The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we have 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: Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t 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 Position Overview The Center for Justice Innovation is seeking a Counselor, Jail Diversion to join a team of clinicians who assess the clinical and services needs of defendants currently being held in pretrial detention. The role involves coordinating closely with the Manhattan Felony Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) Court to identify and assess potential participants and providing timely clinical assessments and treatment recommendations to legal stakeholders. Responsibilities Conduct individualized clinical assessments for people incarcerated in pretrial detention Develop treatment recommendations addressing substance use, mental health, trauma, domestic violence, housing, education, employment, and other needs Ensure all assessments and recommendations are completed and submitted according to a strict timeline Share and review treatment recommendations with defense counsel and present them to legal stakeholders when necessary Make appropriate community-based referrals for a variety of social service needs when defendants are referred to the Felony ATI Court Participate in regular interdisciplinary case conferences with court stakeholders while cases are pre‑plea Attend court, as needed, to help clients navigate court processes and collaborate with court staff Conduct warm handoffs to case management staff prior to participants entering their plea Collaborate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, the Felony ATI Court’s resource coordinators, community-based service providers, Department of Correction, and Correctional Health Services staff Enter and maintain up‑to‑date participant data in the case management system, including all assessment and case information Provide crisis intervention and de‑escalation, as needed Assist the Senior Social Worker with refining existing practice and developing new processes, including improving assessment and treatment planning and implementing clinical best practices Coordinate with the Center’s Jail Population Review team to ensure an efficient referral and assessment process for potential participants held in pretrial detention Participate in clinical group supervision, staff meetings, and trainings, as scheduled Attend evening community‑based meetings and events, as needed Assist with other programmatic and administrative tasks to support Manhattan Justice’s activities, as needed Perform additional tasks as necessary Qualifications MHC and at least 4‑5 years in criminal justice and/or a related field (e.g., healthcare, substance use and mental health treatment, homelessness and housing services, education, workforce development, child welfare, youth services, elder care services, domestic violence programming, sex offense treatment, and services for people with developmental disabilities) are required. Experience in a court or criminal justice setting, including work with incarcerated people, is preferred. Licensure as LMSW or LMHC in New York is strongly preferred. Willingness and ability to work collaboratively with a variety of court personnel and on‑site partner agencies in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced environment. Ability to track and meet strict deadlines. Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health issues, substance use, trauma histories, co‑occurring disorders, and/or homelessness is strongly preferred. Openness to engage with differing and, at times, competing stakeholder perspectives. Commitment to trauma‑informed, holistic, and strengths‑based approaches and the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner. Knowledge and/or lived experience related to the criminal justice system and its impacts on communities is preferred. Excellent organization and time‑management skills. Strong writing and verbal communication skills. Knowledge of community‑based resources throughout New York City. Bilingual (English‐Spanish) preferred. Position Type Full‑time. Position Location Lower Manhattan. Compensation The compensation range for this position is $65,000 – $82,400 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%. EEO Statement 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. Immigration Status 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. Application Integrity 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. Verification 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. Contact Information For more information about this position or to submit an application, please visit our website at or contact our Office of Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr Center for Justice Innovation