Participant Engagement Specialist

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

Bronx Community Solutions (BCS), aims to provide community-based alternatives to jail, restore community relationships, and center the needs and dignity of participants while helping them avoid further criminal legal involvement. With programming in the Bronx’s centralized criminal courthouse and the South Bronx community, BCS offers meaningful alternatives to the traditional criminal legal system, providing a variety of services including pre-arraignment diversion and alternative to incarceration programming.

The Restorative Justice Department at BCS has developed several court diversion initiatives centering restorative justice philosophy, providing opportunities for healing, relationship building and repair, and genuine expressions of accountability in lieu of isolation and punishment. These initiatives utilize “circles”, a unique form of communication inspired by indigenous justice and community building practices. Project Reset, a pre-court early diversion program, offers adults who receive desk appearance tickets for low-level misdemeanors the opportunity to participate in a one-time community building circle to resolve their arrest and avoid a criminal record. BCS also offers same-day at-arraignment programming for eligible individuals to resolve their case through a restorative circle on the day of their court appearance in the courthouse. Finally, BCS provides a more intensive restorative justice diversion and alternative-to-incarceration process for misdemeanor and felony cases involving harm or conflict. This programming brings together the person impacted by the harm, the person responsible, and their community members to discuss the impact of the harm, take accountability, explore underlying issues, and agree upon a pathway forward.

BCS is seeking a Part-Time Participant Engagement Specialist . Reporting to the Restorative Justice Coordinator, the Participant Engagement Specialist is primarily responsible for supporting the outreach and intakes of eligible Project Reset program participants who have received a desk appearance ticket for a low-level arrest and have been deemed eligible for pre-arraignment diversion programming. The Engagement Specialist will engage in a variety of forms of outreach including making cold calls to inform potential participants of their ability to resolve their arrest with the Project Reset program, conduct intakes, and schedule participants for programming, among other responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Conduct cold outreach calls, send texts, and mail letters to eligible participants;
• Complete participant intakes and schedule participants for diversion programming;
• Track outreach efforts and case notes in the Salesforce data management system and other program systems;
• Assist with administrative tasks, record keeping, and participant follow-up as needed;
• Research community resources and social services providers to gain knowledge of available services;
• Compile and share legal and community resources with participants based on their needs;
• Participate in restorative circles and other participant or community programming and events, as needed;
• Attend team meetings and any staff training opportunities; and
• Support the overall operations of the Restorative Justice department programs.

Qualifications: 

• High school diploma and a minimum of two years of relevant lived, educational, and/or professional experience in the criminal legal field or a related social service field required;
• Previous experience or familiarity with restorative justice strongly preferred;
• Strong preference for bilingual English/Spanish language fluency;
• Comfort conducting a variety of forms of outreach, including making cold calls;
• Strong engagement and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to convey information to participants clearly, accurately, and completely;
• Collaborative working style and flexibility and openness to working on a variety of projects in various locations in a multifaceted role;
• Problem-solving attitude and willingness to take initiative to address challenges;
• Ability to navigate electronic platforms and document or outreach management systems such as Salesforce and Microsoft Suite; and
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and identities, and demonstrate a commitment to an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and social justice-centered practice.

Additional Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Meaningful connections to the Bronx community;
• Knowledge and/or lived experience related to the criminal legal system and its impact on communities;
• Experience working with individuals impacted by violence or trauma and a familiarity with trauma-informed practices;
• Candidates who are formerly incarcerated or who have otherwise been impacted by the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Type: Part-time temporary position working 21 hours a week for one-year working Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM with flexibility depending on the needs of the program.

Position Location:  Bronx, NY.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $28.57 - $33.08 per hour based on a 35-hour work week 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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