Social Worker, Neighbors in Action

innovatingjustice; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan: 403(b)

Job summary

Center for Justice Innovation seeks a Social Worker to provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and family support in Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy. The role includes advocacy, community engagement, and coordination with legal teams to reduce violence and promote healing.

The candidate should have LMSW (or MSW with LMSW planned within a year), Spanish language skills preferred, and experience in community justice or similar settings.

Qualifications

• LMSW required with at least 1 year of relevant full-time experience or equivalent.
• MSW candidates must obtain LMSW within 1 year of employment.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred to serve Brooklyn communities.
• Experience in community justice sites or similar environments preferred.
• Experience providing group and individual counseling.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and youth development.
• Experience working in community-based settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counseling and group sessions for 15–20 youth affected by violence and the criminal legal system.
• Offer crisis intervention and advocacy, coordinating with families and legal teams.
• Conduct home and community visits; coordinate resources and support services.
• Deliver holistic advocacy, plan and implement risk mitigation.
• Plan and facilitate therapeutic group curricula and workshops.
• Engage with mentors and outreach workers to support participants.
• Document data, track progress, and support grant reporting.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and interdisciplinary teams.

Skills

LMSW certification

Group counseling

Individual counseling

Bilingual Spanish

Trauma-informed care

Community outreach

Data management

Collaboration

Strong communication

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

LMSW

MSW (preferred)

Tools

Data systems

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

Neighbors in Action (NIA), formerly known as the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, provides anti-violence programs, youth programs, and resource links to community residents in the Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy) neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Its mission is to encourage communication and understanding, prevent future conflicts, and help foster stronger, healthier neighborhoods. The organization also houses two Cure Violence sites in partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Office: Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights and S.O.S. Bed‑Stuy, collectively known as Save Our Streets Brooklyn.

The Social Worker will provide individual and group counseling, action planning and interventions, youth advocacy and mitigation, crisis intervention, family support, and facilitate community healing events and practices. Our projects include community-based violence prevention interventions, youth programming, neighborhood investment, economic mobility and community healing.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Individual Support & Advocacy:

• Supportoutreach and recruit eligible participants into the program;
• Provideweeklyindividual counseling and supportto a group of 15-20young people who have been mostimpactedby community violence and the criminal legal system;
• Provide holistic advocacy and resource coordination;
• Provide crisis intervention support;
• Conduct home visits and community visits with participants;
• Provide mitigation support including working with lawyers and defense teams to create packets;
• Provide court advocacy and support;
• Provide family‑based support including crisis intervention, short‑term family counseling, and resource coordination; and
• Work collaboratively with mentors and outreach workers to provideholisticsupport toparticipants.

Group Programming:

• Plan group curricula andfacilitatetherapeutic group sessions for participants;
• Create innovative therapeutic group programming to support community care and wellness;
• Facilitate a range of workshops and programming to support young people;
• Support community wellness and healing through community‑based events and activations;
• Formpartnerships with community stakeholders, organizations, and agencies to strengthen systems of support for participants; and
• Plan and coordinat especial events for participants and their families.

Community Engagement:

• Support community wellness and healing through community‑based events and activations;
• Form partnerships with community stakeholders, organizations, and agencies to strengthen systems of support for participants;
• Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team;
• Participatein promotion of programmatic resources, community outreach, and community engagement;
• Canvass community alongside the BCJC team;
• Attend community stakeholder meetings, including community board, resident association, precinct council, and other related recurring meetings; and
• Participate in community events and collaborative meetingsrepresentingthe program.

Data, Documentation & Compliance:

• Complete all required documentation and enteraccurate,timelydata into designated databases;
• Assistwith data tracking and reportingin accordance withprogram and funder requirements; and
• Support grant‑related documentation and reporting as assigned.

Professional Development & Organizational Participation:

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and ongoing professional development opportunities;
• Participate in Justice Center community events and initiatives; and
• Performadditionalrelevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• LMSW and at least one year or morepre or post Master’s relevant full time experience is required.Candidates with an MSW who are not yet licensed must obtain their LMSW within one year of employment;
• Sifi certified preferred;
• Bilingual Spanish preferred;
• Experience working at community justice sites or similar environments preferred;
• Experience providing group and individual counseling preferred;
• Knowledge or experience working in a multi‑disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community;
• Strong knowledge of trauma‑informed care, youth development, harm reduction, and anti‑oppressive practice;
• Experience working in community‑based settings;
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills;
• Familiarity with data management systems and documentation standards for social services;
• Data tracking, reporting, and compliance;
• Must be detailed oriented;
• Partnership building and external stakeholder engagement; and
• Strategic thinking and reflective practice.

Position Type: Full time, Monday - Friday from 10:00AM - 6:00PM.

Position Location: Brooklyn, New York.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $65,000 - $80,000 and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basicdental 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.