Program Associate, Community Justice Connect

Center for Justice Innovation; Crown Heights (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare

Flexible spending accounts

403(b) retirement plan

Job summary

The Center for Justice Innovation is hiring a Program Associate for its Community Justice Connect site in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. This full-time role involves overseeing volunteer recruitment and outreach initiatives to support community members facing civil legal issues.

Ideal candidates will possess a high school diploma and strong communication skills. A background in community service or non-profits and bilingual capabilities are highly valued. The position includes some evening and weekend work as necessary.

Qualifications

• Experience working in at-risk communities is required.
• Knowledge of community-based work essential.
• Experience in the non-profit sector is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Recruit volunteers for Community Justice Connect program.
• Organize volunteer schedules and staffing.
• Support volunteer training and appreciation events.

Skills

Community engagement

Bilingual (English-Spanish)

Excellent written and verbal skills

Organizational skills

Culturally-responsive communication

Education

High school degree or equivalent

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 www.innovatingjustice.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Center for Justice Innovation is seeking a Program Associate for its Community Justice Connect Storefront site in Crown Heights. Community Justice Connect, operated by the Center for Justice Innovation, is a network of storefront centers that train community volunteers to provide free legal information, assistance, and referrals to people with civil legal problems. The program seeks to solve issues in areas like housing, public benefits, employment, family law, and immigration before they become emergencies that must be litigated in court. Currently, Community Justice Connect operates in Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens.

Reporting to the Site Manager, the Program Associate will help to oversee the volunteer recruitment, site administration, and outreach to community partners to build a strong network for reaching clients and providing services. The Program Associate must also help to create a warm and welcoming environment for volunteers and visitors to the site.

Responsibilities

• Help recruit volunteers to participate in the Community Justice Connect program at least every six months, and on an as‑needed basis;
• Organize volunteer schedules and staffing;
• Provide assistance to the Managers as they supervise volunteers, offer information, and assist clients, including some evening and weekend hours;
• Participate in Housing Justice Initiatives and Working Group meetings and activities;
• Conduct outreach on an ongoing basis for new volunteers and clients;
• Attend local community board meetings and events held by local elected officials;
• Screen cases that are referred to attorneys for legal advice;
• Coordinate with Community Justice Connect team on organizing community clinics and workshops, and establishing policy and procedures for legal referrals;
• Support ongoing volunteer training and appreciation events;
• Provide for data collection, recording and reporting;
• Provide support to all Community Justice Connect offices as needed, including filling in and working from other sites as needed;
• Support Community Justice Connect staff and volunteers in other sites as needed;
• Support Community Justice Connect offices, including, but not limited to, maintaining vendor payments, office supplies, extermination services, office cleaning services, etc;
• Support day‑to‑day operations of programs, including scheduling, relationships with community partners, project implementation, and outreach (including attending community board meetings);
• Manage Social Media page for each location;
• Attend community meetings, stakeholder groups, and community events;
• Other relevant duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• A high school degree or equivalent, or 1‑2 years of related experience working in at‑risk communities or relevant experience required;
• Knowledge of community base work;
• Experience in non‑profit world is a plus;
• Bilingual (English‑Spanish) preferred;
• Excellent written and verbal skills are a must;
• Candidate must be a skilled communicator, highly organized and detail‑oriented, and able to work in a multi‑disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple stakeholders and organizations onsite, in the community and nationally;
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally‑responsive manner;
• Strong commitment to social justice and anti‑oppressive practice.

Position Type

Full‑time, some nights and weekends are required.

Position Location

Crown Heights (Brooklyn), New York

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $28.57 - $36.48 per hour, annually equivalent to $52,000 - $66,400 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.