Director, Clinical Practice and Training

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

The Supervised Release Program (SRP) offers an alternative to jail by providing pre-trial supervision, case management, and voluntary social services to people at risk of pretrial detention. Program participants are monitored to ensure their appearance at court dates, compliance with mandated programming, as well as referrals to community-based programming such as job training, drug treatment, and mental health counseling. Following legislative changes in New York State that curtail the use of cash bail and pre-trial detention, the Center has seen dramatic growth in the population served through Supervised Release. The Center runs SRP operating sites in Brooklyn and Staten Island, with several locations throughout. 

Reporting to the Senior Director, Pretrial Policy and Practice, the Director of Clinical Practice and Training will ensure the clinical integrity and quality of Supervised Release policy and practices while advancing innovation in adherence with the program model. This position will work within the SRP leadership team to ensure service to participants aligns with program standards for operational excellence, best practice, and organizational values. Additionally, this position will contribute clinical expertise in the development of enhancements to the SRP model in response to challenges and opportunities. The Director of Clinical Practice will accomplish this by working with colleagues on the SRP Policy and Training team, site leadership, the Training Institute, and DAAR to develop, revise, and support the implementation of program policy, protocol, practice, and the development and evaluation of a comprehensive, program-specific training program, tools, and resources for staff related to direct practice. This position also plays a key role in developing and evaluating quality assurance systems and audits to ensure that the program is consistently adhering to the program model, fulfilling its mandate, providing meaningful staff supports, accurate court reports, and quality service to participants through a trauma-informed lens.

• Direct the clinical operations of the SRP, ensuring that intake assessments and individualized supervision plans meet both clinical standards and program model; 
• Work with the SRP Policy and Training Team, site leadership, and DAAR to identify operational successes and challenges towards the goal of developing and maintaining responsive and appropriate direct practice program policy, protocols, and practice;
  • Collaboratively develop and maintain quality assurance systems to support adherence to the model and quality services to participants at all SRP project sites aligned with the Center’s policies and values;
  • Ensure quality service to participants and best practice implementation by staff through trauma-informed SRP policy, protocol, and practice;
  • Develop and standardize clinical standards and guidelines for direct practice supervisors and staff that informs program-specific best practice;
  • Collaboratively determine enhancements to the SRP model in response to opportunities and challenges;
  • Support the program’s engagement with stakeholders, including MOCJ, SRP providers, and other community-based stakeholders on program initiatives and efforts;
• Provide expert consultation on complex cases, particularly those involving co-occurring disorders, acute mental health crises, or significant barriers to court compliance; 
• Contribute clinical expertise to the creation and delivery of a recurring calendar of staff trainings to ensure comprehensive onboarding and professional development relevant to the program model and best practices for service delivery including assessments, intimate partner violence, cognitive behavioral intervention, and de-escalation;
• Collaborate with the SRP Policy and Training team to:
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate standardized onboarding and professional development trainings for new hires and current staff, including direct practice managers;
  • Work with external service providers and the Training Institute to leverage training resources to support SRP staff training needs;
  • Determine appropriate content and frequency for ongoing trainings and continually assess training needs; 
  • Create a Clinical Practice guide for SRP programming; 
• Lead and/or develop updated comprehensive needs assessment tools; 
• Co-create tools and resources to ensure staff understanding and adherence to the SRP model, including specific responsibilities for each position, adherence to best practices for qualitative data collection and entry, and best practices for direct service;
• Oversee and provide weekly supervision to a team of Deputy Directors, Clinical Practice; 
• Lead the clinical supervision and support for SRP project sites by:
  • Provide individual and group clinical supervision to Licensed Social Workers (LMSWs), Clinical Coordinators and other direct practice staff; 
  • Providing monthly clinical supervision for SRP Site Leaders;
  • Provide onboarding support for SRP Site Leaders;
  • Provide coverage for Deputy Directors, Clinical Practice when they are out of office or the position is vacant; 
  • Provide leadership pertaining to crisis intervention via the Center’s Clinical Consult line;
    • Provide crisis management support in response to questions, concerns, and reports that are communicated by SRP staff;
  • Implement a structured "Supervision for Supervisors" model; 
  • Supporting efforts to ensure that appropriate crisis intervention and de-escalation policies and protocols are routinely trained on and consistently operationalized by site staff;
• Oversight of the SRP harm reduction policies and distributions; 
• Work with the Center’s other centralized clinical leadership to ensure alignment with the Center’s clinical policies and initiatives;
• Identify service gaps and formalize partnerships to expand services for participants; 
• Represent the SRP program at program-specific meetings and relevant local, state, and national convenings and conferences;
• Contribute to comprehensive data collection and program evaluation initiatives;
• Contribute to grant writing and reporting;
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

• NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Clinical Psychologist (PsyD or PhD);
• 10 years relevant direct practice experience;
• Appreciable expertise in the provision of screening, assessment, and treatment for people with diverse clinical and social service needs in legal and community-based settings;
• A demonstrated and strong track record of providing clinical supervision and leadership; 
• Excellent communication and writing skills; 
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team; 
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a court setting, including working collaboratively with judges, court personnel, and partner agencies in a high-pressure and fast-paced work environment;
• Openness and ability to engage constructively with differing and, at times, competing perspectives. 

Position Type:  Full-time in-person work required; weekend and evening hours required, as needed. 

Position Location: Multiple sites across Brooklyn and Staten Island. 

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $140,000 - $160,000 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.