Pre-Trial Release Specialist

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 Onondaga County Pretrial Release Program (OC-PRP) provides an alternative to pretrial detention and bail by ensuring that individuals facing criminal charges attend their court appearances and avoid rearrest whilst remaining in their communities. This is achieved through regular check-ins with dedicated program staff who provide support and facilitate connections to community-based programs, services, and resources. OC-PRP reduces detention-related costs while keeping individuals in their communities, jobs, and with their families during the pendency of their case. The program's success is due to the Center's longstanding ability to integrate research and evidence-based practices to increase safety in partnership with the courts and local communities. In OC-PRP, this includes identifying individuals who would be most likely to benefit from the program using a validated release assessment and clinical expertise to engage, support, and connect participants to community-based service providers who can meaningfully meet participants' service and resource needs.

The Center's Upstate office seeks five Pre-Trail Release Specialists. The Pre-Trial Release Specialists are key to ensuring the program provides high quality service to OC-PRP participants and meets obligations to court stakeholders. Reporting to the Associate Director of Program Operations, the Pre-Trial Release Specialists will supervise participants according to their supervision level; work with participants to identify and address barriers to compliance and court attendance; conduct outreach to participants, court stakeholders, community-based service providers; make referrals to appropriate services in the community that support participant stability and maintain accurate and timely court reporting on participants' compliance with program requirements.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Court & Arraignments :

• Appear in daily arraignments, including nights and weekends, to provide pre-trial release program information and orientation to newly mandated participants;
• Appear in other court parts where participants have court hearings, including nights and weekends;
• Track cases and complete court-based data entry for newly released participants;
• Provide written and verbal case updates to the court and court staff, including compliance reporting, as appropriate;
• Provide participants with immediate connection to program staff or other service providers, as needed;
• Ensure all newly released participants are scheduled for program intake or re-release check-in; and
• Maintain professional communication with defense attorneys, prosecutors, court staff, and other justice system stakeholders.

Participant Intakes & Assessments :

• Conduct interviews with defendants and collect relevant information regarding criminal history, community ties, residence, employment, and family support;
• Complete intake forms and assessments in a timely and accurate manner;
• Determine eligibility for pretrial release based on established program criteria and make recommendations to the court;
• Conduct risk assessments and complete required documentation for court presentation; and
• Gather and verify collateral information through contact with family members, employers, service providers, and other relevant sources.

Case Management & Supervision :

• Provide supervision for program participants according to their assigned supervision level by completing check-ins in the specified method and frequency, while treating all participants with dignity and respect;
• Work with participants to identify and address barriers to compliance with supervision requirements and court attendance;
• Provide holistic, clinically informed case management by coordinating internal and external resource allocation and service referrals, including but not limited to substance use, mental health, trauma, intimate partner violence, housing, education, and employment;
• Maintain accurate and timely data entry and case documentation aligned with program model, policies, and court reporting obligations;
• Conduct outreach to participants and their defense attorneys to maximize compliance with supervision requirements;
• Monitor and document participants’ compliance with electronic monitoring requirements, as ordered by the court;
• Communicate promptly with the monitoring vendor, court personnel, and supervisory staff regarding alerts, violations, or technical issues related to electronic monitoring equipment;
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry of monitoring status and compliance updates in the case management system;
• Submit accurate and timely reports to court within designated time frames, including compliance and noncompliance; and
• Ensure confidentiality of all participant and court-related information.

Program Collaboration & Community Partnerships :

• Work collaboratively with community service providers to coordinate participant referrals and monitor engagement;
• Maintain relationships with justice system partners, including court staff, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and law enforcement;
• Responsible for consistent and effective cross-team communication and collaboration to proactively identify successes, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen programming, create opportunities for meaningful collaboration, and maximize internal and external resources and expertise;
• Participate in team meetings, case reviews, individual and group staff supervision meetings, and regular staff trainings to develop program expertise and related skill sets;
• Participate in multidisciplinary partner meetings to ensure consistent communication and coordination regarding a defendant’s case; 
• Represent the Pretrial Services Program at community events and professional meetings as needed; and
• Additional tasks as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of one year in a related area, preferably as a criminal justice practitioner or 3-4 years' experience in the criminal justice field as an equivalency;
• Experience in pretrial, court-based, or criminal legal system strongly preferred;
• Experience working with people related to substance use treatment, mental health services, co­occurring disorders, or adolescent development preferred;
• Experience using trauma-informed and strength-based approaches strongly preferred;
• Must be detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills;
• Must be able to work effectively independently and as part of a highly interdependent, multi­ disciplinary team within a fast-paced and dynamic work environment;
• Professional demeanor and ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a variety of program stakeholders, including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, court staff, and partner agencies;
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally responsive manner required; and;
• Must be proficient in Microsoft and Google suites.

Position Type: Full-time in-person work required; weekend and evening hours required, as needed. Typical work shifts rotate and include 8:00am – 4:00pm, 8:30am – 4:30pm, or 9:00am – 5:00pm.

Position Location:  Syracuse, NY.

Compensation:  The compensation range for this position is $52,000 - $53,000 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.