Intake Specialist, RAPID

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 Justice Initiatives (BJI) works to re-engineer the experience of criminal court in Brooklyn by providing judges, attorneys, and participants with meaningful alternatives to bail, fines, and jail sentences. Operating out of Kings County Criminal Court, BJI offers early diversion, alternative-to-incarceration programming, and pre-trial supervised release designed to reduce unnecessary system involvement and promote community-rooted solutions. 

Through the Rapid Access to Peers, Intervention, and Diversion Project (RAPID), BJI engages participants at their earliest court appearance, conducting same‑day intakes and connecting them to immediate programming. RAPID includes two tiers: 

• The Rapid Engagement Tier, which supports individuals with minimal system contact by removing barriers to brief therapeutic or programmatic sessions that can lead to declination of prosecution, operating within the Project Reset program; and 

• The High Utilizer Tier, which focuses on individuals with more extensive system involvement, offering targeted stabilization plans addressing needs such as housing, mental health, and frequent court contact. 

Together, these tiers ensure immediate access to services while right‑sizing resources to meet both lower and higher levels of need. 

Brooklyn Justice Initiatives is seeking an Intake Specialist to join the Diversion team. Reporting to the Program Manager of Project Reset, the Intake Specialist will support primarily the Rapid Engagement Tier and will play a critical role in daily court operations, conducting intake directly at arraignment, preparing program completion letters, and escorting participants between court and nearby community-based programming sites, and supporting same-day referral and program engagement. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Participant Engagement 

• Connect with eligible participants who appear at arraignments at Kings County Criminal Court and/or the Red Hook Community Justice Center and describe the diversion option;
• Conduct same-day intakes, explain program requirements and expectations, and determine whether a participant is suitable for group-based work or individualized sessions; 
• Escort participants between court, Brooklyn Justice Initiatives offices, and community partners to ensure successful same-day programming and service access; 
• Support with pre-arraignment outreach for court reminders and program explanation, as needed;
• Liaise with defense counsel, district attorney’s office to report participant attendance and ensure timely communication;
• Facilitate or co-facilitate group-based programming and case management sessions, as needed; 
• Provide timely and accurate documentation of program participation and completion to court stakeholders, including defense attorneys, prosecutors, and court staff; and
• Conduct intakes and assessments for the High Utilizer Tier, as needed. 

Documentation and Data Management 

• Maintain accurate and organized participant documentation, including intake assessments, HIPAA and consent forms, legal documents, and attendance records; 
• Maintain appropriate participant information in electronic databases and hard files; 
• Track attendance, input accurate information into the internal case management system and shared databases, and ensure data quality and integrity; and
• Prepare and circulate certificates of program completion and provide written and verbal updates to court stakeholders. 

Program and Team Support 

• Support participant navigation between legal system partners and community programming to ensure smooth engagement; 
• Participate in team meetings, team building activities, trainings, and court-based initiatives that advance the program models; 
• Assist with outreach and representation at community-based events, including occasional evening and weekend programming; and
• Perform other duties as necessary to support program and departmental operations.

Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree and 1 year of experience or 2-3 years’ experience in the criminal justice field as an equivalency, a Bachelor's degree is preferred;
• Experience in a court or criminal justice setting preferred;  
• Experience and/or comfort working with both adolescents and adults required;  
• Willing and able to work collaboratively with colleagues and a variety of court personnel and partner agencies in a high-pressure/fast paced work environment. Court-based work is a unique and demanding area of practice, and candidates must be open to constructive engagement with differing and, at times, competing perspectives; 
• Knowledge and/or lived experience related to the criminal justice system and its impacts strongly preferred;  
• Highly organized, with a strong commitment to systems, process and data collection;  
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;  
• Human services or customer service experience preferred; 
• Bilingual (Spanish-English) preferred but not required; 
• Knowledge of community-based resources throughout New York City is preferred;
• Must also be self-motivated and able to complete responsibilities independently; and; 
• Experience and commitment to creating, promoting, and maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and anti-racist work environment. 

Position Type: Full-time; Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with some evening and weekend hours required; subject to change due to program needs.    

Position Location: Brooklyn, NY.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $28.57 - $35.44 per hour, annually equivalent to $52,000 - $64,500 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.

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