Manager, Clinical Youth Diversion

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 Queens Community Justice Center seeks a Program Manager to lead a new court-connected youth firearm intervention initiative serving young people charged with gun-related offenses in the Queens Youth Part. The Program Manager, reporting to the Clinical Manager, will oversee the day-to-day implementation of the program and ensure that participants receive coordinated, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate services that address the underlying drivers of justice involvement and violence exposure. The Program Manager will supervise program staff, provide assessments and direct clinical support to participants, coordinate service planning across mentoring, workforce development, and clinical services, and serve as a key liaison to court stakeholders and internal program partners.

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Responsibilities include but are not limited to :
Program Leadership and Oversight:

- Lead the day-to-day implementation of the Youth Firearm Intervention Services program, ensuring high-quality service delivery, strong participant engagement, and compliance with program requirements;

- Supervise and support program staff, including the Court-Based Intake Specialist, and coordinate closely with mentors, workforce development staff, and clinical staff involved in participant service delivery;

- Oversee participant case planning and service coordination to ensure that each youth receives individualized, trauma-informed, and goal-oriented support;

- Maintain systems for tracking referrals, enrollment, engagement, service participation, court reporting, and participant progress;

- Monitor program performance and support implementation of quality assurance practices in collaboration with Justice Center directors and data staff;

- Participate in regular internal case review meetings and help ensure alignment across mentoring, clinical, workforce, and court-based components of the program.

Clinical Assessment and Direct Service

- Conduct comprehensive participant assessments following initial intake, using a structured assessment tool and clinical interviewing to identify participant risks, strengths, needs, and service priorities;

- Develop individualized service plans in collaboration with participants, mentors, and other relevant staff;

- Provide direct clinical services to participants, including short-term counseling, crisis intervention, psychoeducation, and trauma-informed therapeutic support;

- Facilitate healing-centered and trauma-informed groups for participants impacted by chronic violence, trauma, and justice involvement;

- Support participants’ connection to additional behavioral health services, including referrals to longer-term counseling and other specialized services as appropriate;

- Help ensure that services are responsive to the developmental, cultural, and behavioral health needs of adolescents and young adults.

Court and Systems Collaboration

- Serve as a primary program representative with the Queens Youth Part and collaborate closely with the Court-Based Intake Specialist to ensure timely communication with judicial stakeholders, including the Judge, Resource Coordinator, defense counsel, the Queens District Attorney’s Office, and other court partners;

- Ensure that participant service plans reflect both assessed needs and relevant court expectations, while maintaining a youth-centered and rehabilitative approach;

- Review participant progress, barriers to engagement, and service participation in preparation for court updates and case conferences;

- Participate in case conferences with court stakeholders and internal staff as needed to support coordinated planning and problem-solving;

- Complete court reports for participants;

- Help structure feedback to court stakeholders in a way that supports both individual case management and broader learning regarding the needs of youth charged with gun-related offenses.

Participant Engagement and Case Coordination

- Support staff in engaging young people who may be ambivalent about services, difficult to reach, or impacted by significant trauma, instability, and system distrust;

- Work with mentors and other staff to ensure participants are connected to wraparound supports, including workforce development, education, housing resources, family support, and benefits-related services;

- Provide consultation and support to staff around crisis response, de-escalation, family engagement, and participant retention;

- Help remove barriers to participation by supporting flexible, responsive, and relationship-based service delivery.

Documentation, Data, and Reporting:

- Ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality documentation of assessments, service plans, participant contacts, progress notes, and court-related communication; and;

- Work collaboratively with the Center’s data and research staff to support reporting requirements, performance monitoring, and data-informed program improvement.

Qualifications:

- LMSW and 5-7 years pre or post Master’s relevant full time experience is required;
- At least 2 years of supervisory experience is required;
- Sifi certified or must obtain a Sifi certification within 12 months of hire date required;
- Experience working with adolescents or young adults impacted by justice involvement, violence, trauma, or behavioral health needs. 
- Experience providing trauma-informed clinical services, including assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and service planning. 
- Experience supervising staff, interns, or multidisciplinary teams strongly preferred. 
- Knowledge of adolescent development, trauma, community violence, diversion, and youth engagement strategies. 
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with courts, probation, schools, behavioral health providers, or other youth-serving systems preferred. 
- Strong writing, organizational, and communication skills, including the ability to synthesize participant progress and service needs for multiple audiences. 
- Familiarity with Queens communities and the service landscape for justice-involved youth and families. 
- Bilingual skills are a plus.

Position Type: Full time. On site. The standard work week is 35 hours.

Position Location: Queens, New York.

Compensation:  The compensation range for this position is $90,000 - $105,000 and is commensurate with experience.

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