Family Advocate

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

The Staten Island Justice Center (Justice Center; SIJC) is seeking a Family Advocate for the Family Enrichment Center (FEC). Reporting to the FEC Senior Program Manager and working closely with the Youth Engagement Specialist and Community Liaison, the Family Advocate will contribute to the day-to-day operations of the Family Enrichment Center by engaging families both within the Center and throughout the community; facilitating Parent Cafes; building authentic, strength-based relationships that promote family protective factors and support community resilience; maintaining ongoing communication with participating families using accessible, culturally and linguistically responsive methods to foster meaningful engagement and participation; co-designing and facilitating relevant programs, activities, and offerings with families using strengths-based approaches; providing advocacy, resource navigation, and individualized support to families, including warm referrals to community-based services and supports; working with families to identify strengths, celebrate progress, strengthen families, and promote community resilience; ensure families are meaningfully engaged in FEC offerings; supporting feedback and documentation processes that inform continuous improvement of programs and activities; and fostering a warm, welcoming, and inclusive gathering place where families can build connections, access resources, and strengthen well-being.

FECs build on family and community strengths, are guided by the community’s interests, dreams, goals, and desires, and do so without being intrusive or using a case management approach. FECs do not follow a traditional social service delivery approach. They are 100% voluntary, safe spaces that welcome all, and respect each person’s privacy and their ability to decide how, when, and how often to interact with an FEC.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

• Recruit, welcome, orient, and meaningfully engage families to the FEC community;
• Develop and maintain authentic, strength-based relationships with families and the Community Advisory Board to foster meaningful engagement in supporting FEC operations, activities, and events. Ensure consistent delivery of programs and activities in fidelity to the FEC co-design model;
• Organize and promote opportunities for families to engage in and participate in the planning and implementation of FEC offerings, and to work and celebrate together to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and mutual responsibility;
• Provide advocacy, resource navigation, and warm referrals to connect families with services and supports;
• Collaborate with FEC staff to identify and address the needs and concerns of families and support the development of programming responsive to those needs;
• Collaborate with local public schools, social service providers, and community-based organizations to create meaningful resource connections for families;
• Design and implement family engagement strategies to ensure participating families are informed about upcoming offerings, events, and opportunities for involvement at the FEC;
• Create monthly marketing materials, including calendars, flyers, email blasts, social media content, and other outreach communications;
• Maintain ongoing communication with participating families through accessible methods, including phone calls, text messages, emails, and in-person conversations, to foster continued participation and relationship-building;
• Create and maintain a family engagement tracking system and contacts log to strengthen connections, and track impact;
• Support documentation, data collection, and feedback processes to ensure that family experiences and perspectives inform continuous improvement of offerings and activities;
• Maintain member/office supplies and resources and update FEC décor based on feedback from community members to help ensure that the FEC remains a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space;
• Maintain familiarity with all SIJC programs and services and share resources and referrals as needed;
• Participate in the day-to-day operations and administrative functions of the FEC by providing reception coverage, supporting program logistics, managing inventory, supporting the daily engagement of FEC members, and developing and updating office protocols and procedures in close partnership with the FEC Director;
• Assist in maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of the FEC space;
• Network with FEC staff at other locations to create peer learning and support opportunities;
• Participate in SIJC all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities;
• Attend SIJC/FEC events and community meetings, as needed; and
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree AND three (3) years of professional experience, or a High School diploma AND five (5) years of professional experience in community-driven programs with children, youth, and families.
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.
• Excellent writing skills are a must.
• Skilled communicator able to work in multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community.
• Experience providing community-based engagement and outreach services, as well as demonstrated experience coordinating programs, facilitating initiatives, and designing successful activities to engage community members.
• Ability to work in a non-hierarchical, multidisciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships and connections using a warm, engaging, and enthusiastic communication style.
• Knowledge of community resources on the North Shore of Staten Island preferred.
• Demonstrated good judgment, problem-solving ability, and strong communication, planning, organizational, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work.
• Access to a personal vehicle and driver’s license is preferred.
• Comfortable with technology and video platforms such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Zoom.

Position Type: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM with flexibility to work on weekends and evenings as needed.

Position Location:  Staten Island, NY.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $28.57 - $35.71 per hour, annually equivalent to $52,000 - $65,000 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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