Supervising Court Liaison

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

Brooklyn Supervised Release Program, a program of the Center for Justice Innovation, seeks to reengineer the experience of criminal court in Brooklyn, New York by providing judges and attorneys meaningful alternatives to bail, fines, and jail sentences. Operating out of Kings County Criminal Court, Brooklyn Supervised Release Program is a team of social service providers, court-based Court Liaisons, and others who seek to improve the quality of justice. By providing meaningful pretrial supervised release and post-conviction sentencing options, Brooklyn Justice Initiatives seeks to use an arrest as a window of opportunity to change the direction of a participant’s life and avoid the harmful effects of incarceration.

Brooklyn Supervised Release Program is seeking a Supervising Court Liaison to work with the Court operations team at BJI. Reporting to the Director of Court Operations, the Supervising Court Liaison will oversee all releases into the Supervised Release Program, the release referral and court reporting process, and work closely with Supervised Release Program (SRP) staff. This role will oversee Court Liaisons who are responsible for reviewing all available information about supervised release cases. Once participants are enrolled in the program, the Supervising Court Liaison will assure that written and verbal compliance updates are provided to the court, including defense attorneys, assistant district attorneys, and judges on a regular basis. The Supervising Court Liaison is also responsible for providing court coverage to various Criminal and Supreme Court parts, including specialized court initiatives.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide weekly supervision to a team of Court Liaisons and Senior Court Liaisons;
• Collaborate with the Court Operations management to hold regularly scheduled team meetings;
• Assist the Director of Court Operations with the preparation of judicial engagements and trainings;
• Collaborate with Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) staff, providing cross-training and assuring cross-program fluency;
• Collaborate with other court operations management in the creation of court liaison schedules;
• Assist with the implementation of department policies and procedures;
• Support the ongoing professional development and training of assigned Court Liaisons;
• Provide program orientation to participants released under supervision in Kings County;
• Ensure participants who are released to pretrial supervision are connected with a case manager;
• Provide written and verbal case updates to the court and other court staff, as needed, including compliance reporting;
• Collaborate with the Clinical and Compliance departments to support daily operations through various joint project initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison in the Brooklyn criminal and supreme court parts, to determine eligibility for all operating programs;
• Maintain appropriate client information in electronic databases and hard files, including court assessment, screening, and outcome information;
• Assist senior staff with the development and implementation of new programs, protocols, initiatives, and/or interventions;
• Assist with data collection and management;
• Collaborate with the Compliance Department to ensure accurate reporting of participant program status;
• Develop and implement performance metrics for Court Liaisons, ensuring accountability and effectiveness;
• Manage workload distribution, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and high-priority cases receive appropriate attention;
• Foster a collaborative team environment by encouraging open communication and teamwork;
• Lead change management efforts, guiding the team through transitions in policy, technology, or procedure;
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings;
• Assist with hiring and onboarding of Court Liaisons;
• Provide weekend day and night arraignment coverage on a rotating basis, as needed;
• Collaborate with the Center’s Research department to conduct program evaluations and continuously refine data collection processes and protocols;
• Be available for on-call rotations on nights and weekends for case conferencing;
• Attend Brooklyn Justice Initiatives’ events after hours, as needed; and
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience required, preferably in a criminal court setting and/or human service field; Master's degree preferred;
• Must be able to work nights and weekends;
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred;
• Candidates must be willing and able to work collaboratively with a variety of court personnel and partner agencies in a high-pressure/fast paced work environment;
• This is an incredibly unique and demanding area of practice, and candidates must be open to constructive engagement with differing and, at times, competing perspectives;
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally-responsive manner;
• Professional demeanor and ability to communicate appropriately with judges and other court personnel;
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal, communication and writing skills required; and
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.

Position Type: Full-time, Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm, with the expectation for rotating nights and weekends.

Position Location: Brooklyn, NY.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $31.04 - $42.74 per hour, annually equivalent to $56,500 - $77,800 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.