Youth Impact, Program Associate

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:

• Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
• Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and
• 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 www.innovatingjustice.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Staten Island Justice Center (SIJC) offers an array of programming for both youth and adults in Staten Island, focusing on engaging those with current or past justice involvement. SIJC provides judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys with alternative community sentencing options that hold individuals accountable in a way that is meaningful, proportionate, and restorative. The goal is to provide participants with individual and group services that help them to avoid future contact with the justice system and promote swift case resolutions that bolster public confidence in justice.

Staten Island Justice Center is seeking a Program Associate for its Youth Impact program. Reporting to the Youth Impact Coordinator, the Program Associate is responsible for peer-led restorative justice programming, including assisting with all aspects of youth impact operations, restorative circles, community service and community benefits projects. The Program Associate is responsible for the recruitment, training, and selection of youth impact members, as well as the facilitation, documentation and management of all youth impact referrals and sanction compliance.

• Assist in the daily operations of the Youth Impact;
• Assist with the recruitment of participants for Youth Impact training and membership;
• Assist with the training of members and collaborate with Youth Impact Coordinator to facilitate and organize the 40-hour youth impact member training;
• Conduct outreach to parents and youth who are referred to the Youth Impact;
• Conduct intakes for respondents and families;
• Assist in developing and coordinating community service projects for respondent youth;
• Monitor and track compliance of respondent youth and prepare compliance reports for referring agencies;
• Assist in the scheduling of Youth Impact hearings and training for Youth Impact members;
• Manage administrative needs, including purchasing, record keeping communications and stipends;
• Support youth impact members during trainings and hearings;
• Assist in the coordination and planning of special events;
• Assist in conducting outreach to community-based organizations to support the function and growth of the program; and
• Perform other supportive tasks and functions as assigned by the Youth Impact Coordinator.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree and preferably 1-2 years of related experience working in at risk communities or a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 5-6 years of relevant experience;
• Must have the ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and solve problems creatively;
• Must be a dynamic facilitator who feels comfortable working with youth;
• Strong written skills are a must;
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to be responsible for administrative tasks preferred;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office required;
• Conversational Spanish skills preferred;
• Professional and/or personal knowledge and familiarity of the Staten Island communities preferred;
• Experience working with high school-aged youth is highly preferred; and
• Familiarity with restorative practices highly preferred.