THE ORGANIZATION
The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways-by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.
The Center is an 800-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn't), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world.
Operating Programs
The Center's operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Court, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.
Research
The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.
Policy & Expert Assistance
The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area.
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives (BJI) is seeking a Site Safety Coordinator to oversee and coordinate all security-related operations across its sites. BJI is the Center's largest operating program, offering a range of diversion services including alternatives to incarceration and the Brooklyn Supervised Release Program (SRP). SRP offers an alternative to bail, providing pretrial supervision, case management, and voluntary social services to people charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses. Program participants are monitored to ensure their appearance at court dates, compliance with mandated programming, and receive referrals to community-based programming such as job training, drug treatment, and mental health counseling. Following passage of the New York State bail reform law that curtails the use of cash bail and pre-trial detention, the Center has seen dramatic growth in the population served through Supervised Release, offering our team the opportunity to contribute to an exciting program at an unprecedented scale.
Reporting to the Manager of Operations, the Site Safety Coordinator would lead the development, implementation, and updating of all site safety protocols and operations on an ongoing basis to ensure the safety of all staff as well as participants. The Site Safety Manager would directly oversee security staff (including outside contractors and potentially other Center staff), and work closely with site staff and leadership to identify and address vulnerabilities or gaps in safety measures, ensure staff are aware and trained on all protocols, and be responsive to immediate as well as long-term security issues that arise. This is a full-time in person role and includes oversight over multiple sites in Brooklyn.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to :
Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people when they enter any Brooklyn SRP locations:

• Warmly greet all those who come to the site to help create a welcoming environment for all;
• Treat all visitors, participants, and staff with dignity and respect, even when interpersonal dynamics are escalated;

Support operations by directing visitors appropriately:

• Ensure that all visitors are in the right place; provide instruction and guidance where needed;
  • Direct participants to check in with the front desk so that staff is aware of their presence on site;
  • Direct participants who receive services elsewhere (such as the courthouse or other community spaces) to those spaces by providing instruction as to where they need to go; and escort participants to nearby locations where needed;
  • Respectfully direct unauthorized visitors to leave the site, as per site policy;

Monitor and manage the different areas of the site to ensure safety:

• Monitor all areas of the site with a primary focus on the entrance and waiting areas;
  • Periodically float to other areas of the site and between floors to monitor for irregular and concerning activities;
• Act as a first responder to requests for assistance ensuring site safety, as needed;
  • De-escalate situations between participants and others, including other participants or staff, when communication becomes heightened;
• Help to coordinate crisis response during escalated incidents;

Oversee coordination and enforcement of site safety policy and protocols across BJI locations:

• Maintain fluency in site safety policy and protocol and support site leadership in maintaining and updating sites' emergency action plan;
• Maintain a daily log book to document activities and incidents, as they occur;
• Update site leadership promptly regarding any safety concerns or incidents;
• Draft and gather incident reports in response to safety incidents, accidents, safety and fire hazards, and other security-related situations and circumstances, ensuring that site leadership has all documentation completed and required to submit to HR/Legal departments;
• Maintain an inventory of security features and equipment, such as panic buttons;
  • Ensure that all features and equipment are accessible and operational;
• Lead safety debriefing meetings and ongoing security committee meetings;
• Collaborate with staff across BJI sites to identify security vulnerabilities and opportunities for increased safety and solutions to safety challenges;

Develop and maintain relationships with partner security agencies and other offices that are proximate to the site to ensure clear and effective communication:

• Serve as the primary point of contact between security vendors and the site and between court officers and the courthouse site(s);
• Coordinate across partner security agencies and site staff to ensure participant and staff safety and wellbeing;
• Provide training and onboarding to contracted security staff onsite with respect to all site protocols and procedures;
• Liaise with security personnel to manage access to the building;
• Liaise with other tenants located in the building to address any safety issues or concerns that arise;
• Coordinate with security staff at other BJI sites to ensure consistency in protocols and troubleshoot challenges;
• Provide security coverage/support for other BJI sites, as needed;

Qualifications:

• A valid Security Guard License, required;
• Two years security experience, preferred;
• Excellent communication skills required;
• Desire and passion for creating a warm, welcoming, and respectful environment for everyone;
• Respectful of others even when interpersonal dynamics are strained;
• Comfort and skill in providing a welcoming and safe environment in high volume areas;
• Effective multi-tasking and time management skills required;
• Experience in de-escalation strongly preferred;
• Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends, as needed.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $60,000 to $65,000 and is commensurate with experience. 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. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do not discriminate on the basis of 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 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included.
As of February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccination for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. Accordingly, the Center does not require all new hires be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the Center recommends all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up-to-date on the vaccination.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Kindly refer to the job posting for the relevant contact information. If the contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from making inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.