Case Manager, Felony Alternatives to Incarceration

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; 

1. Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and 

1. 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 

Launched in early 2020, Manhattan Justice Opportunities (Manhattan Justice) seeks to rethink justice in Manhattan and to build a justice system that is more responsive to individuals’ and communities’ needs. Manhattan Justice is a centralized, court-based screening and referral hub that provides judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys at New York County Criminal Court and Supreme Court with a wide array of social service-based sentencing options in misdemeanor and felony cases. 

Manhattan Justice is seeking a Case Manager to work with defendants participating in the Manhattan Felony Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) Court. The ATI Court, which is led by Administrative Judge Ellen Biben, seeks to forge a new response to individuals charged with felonies by linking them to community-based social services. The Court is the first of its kind, providing an innovative model for other jurisdictions seeking to develop and implement meaningful post-conviction sentencing options for individuals facing felony charges. 

Reporting to Senior Social Worker, the Case Manager will be part of a team that provides case management services to the ATI Court. The Case Manager will be responsible for providing referrals to community-based services, offering comprehensive clinical case management, and monitoring participant compliance. 

An essential and dynamic feature of the Case Manager’s role will be close collaboration with key stakeholders. They will work regularly with the judge and court staff from the New York County Supreme Court who oversee the Felony ATI Court, as well as with other stakeholders, including the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and New York City defense organizations. Court-based clinical work is an exciting, unique and demanding area of practice, and the Case Manager's role involves navigating and constructively engaging with differing and, at times, competing stakeholder perspectives.  

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Provide comprehensive, clinically-informed case management services to a caseload of court-mandated ATI participants to help address issues such as substance use, mental health issues, trauma, domestic violence, housing and vocational needs, and other challenges in a participant’s life (e.g. new arrests, family court cases and other civil legal issues); 

• Make appropriate community-based referrals for a variety of social service needs; 

• Manage and monitor compliance with service mandates, including care coordination with providers; 

• Provide written updates for court stakeholders for all court-involved participants; 

• Participate in regular interdisciplinary case conferences with court stakeholders; 

• Coordinate with court stakeholders on any non-compliance issues and assist clients in getting back into compliance, including re-engaging clients, arranging return on warrants, and implementing graduated responses to encourage future compliance; 

• Attend court on calendar days, as needed, to help clients navigate court and collaborate with court staff and stakeholders; 

• Collaborate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the resource coordinator, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other court and programmatic staff; 

• Assist with scheduling and rescheduling participants for intakes, assessments, and programming with community-based partners; 

• Request and review records, and otherwise assist with clinical assessments; 

• Assist with data entry and ensure the accuracy of information in the electronic case management system, including entering case notes and assessment, case management, programming and case outcome data; 

• Assist with toxicology testing and reporting, as needed; 

• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation, as needed; 

• Provide voluntary referrals to community-based services, as needed; 

• Assist the Felony ATI leadership with the development and implementation of new initiatives; including best clinical practices, and appropriate evidence-based interventions; 

• Provide clinical services as described above to program participants on a voluntary basis post-mandate; 

• Participate in clinical group supervision, staff meetings, and trainings, as scheduled; 

• Attend evening community-based meetings and events, as needed; and; 

• Assist with other programmatic and administrative tasks to support Manhattan Justice’s activities with the Felony ATI Court, as needed. 

Qualifications:  

• A Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 3-4 years of experience working in a social service setting; 

• Experience working in a court or criminal justice setting strongly preferred; 

• Experience working with drug/alcohol treatment, mental health, co-occurring disorders, and trauma-informed approaches strongly preferred; 

• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred; 

• Strong organizational and time management skills; 

• Commitment to, and experience using, holistic and strengths-based approaches, meeting participants where they are, as well as the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally responsive manner; 

• Strong writing and verbal communication skills; and; 

• Knowledge of community-based resources throughout New York City. 

Position Type: Full-time. Monday - Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This position is a one-year contract, subject to grant funding through June 30, 2027. 

Position Location: Manhattan, NY. 

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $52,000 - $63,500 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. Eligible employees may participate in our 403(b) retirement savings plan through voluntary pre-tax and Roth contributions. 

Note: This position is part of the NOLSW, UAW 2320 bargaining unit.

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.