Legal Navigator

Company: Center for Justice Innovation
Location: Newark
Posted on: May 22, 2023

Job Description:

THE ORGANIZATIONThe Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways-by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.The Center is an 800-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn't), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world.Operating ProgramsThe Center's operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Court, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.ResearchThe Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.Policy & Expert AssistanceThe Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area. -THE OPPORTUNITYNewark Community Solutions is a community justice initiative that applies a problem-solving approach to low-level cases in Newark, New Jersey's municipal courthouse. Newark Community Solutions' goals are twofold: to provide judges with increased sentencing options for non-violent offenses such as drug possession, prostitution, and shoplifting and to improve public perceptions of justice. By combining punishment with help, Newark Community Solutions seeks to promote the use of community service and social service mandates, reduce the court's reliance on ineffective fines and expensive short-term jail sentences, and build public confidence in justice. - Newark Community Solutions builds on lessons learned from successful community courts throughout the country, which have reduced local crime, improved compliance with sanctions, and strengthened the connections between courts and communities.In 2020, with municipal courts closed across the county due to the pandemic, NCS began engaging the community through outreach events and worked collaboratively with community partners to better serve the needs of justice involved residents. Part of this process was establishing virtual remote court sessions in the community so residents who were not able to attend a virtual court session independently would still be able to see a judge and resolve their matters. NCS is seeking a Legal Navigator. Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, the Legal Navigator will work to grow this initiative.Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work with community partners to plan, organize and/or attend events designed to assist populations likely to need legal navigation services;
• Conduct regular outreach in greater Newark communities including engaging individuals in surveys;
• Oversee NCS remote virtual court sessions in community and maintain relationships with community partners;
• Meet regularly with Newark Municipal Court staff to assist in maintaining court calendar for remote sessions and troubleshoot any logistical issues;
• Collect and enter all relevant case data for legal navigation clients;
• Maintain regular contact with legal navigation clients to keep them informed about court obligations and referral options;
• Assist clients with legal referral needs, including linkage to diversion with Newark Community Solutions and connection to the Essex County Office of the Public Defender as well as appropriate individuals and/or offices outside of Essex County, as needed;
• Attend NCS staff meetings as well as community meetings, as needed;
• Additional responsibilities, as needed.Position Type: Full time, some evening and weekend work expected. In-person work required.Qualifications:
  • High school or GED + 2 years of experience working with justice-involved populations required. -Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public policy or social work (non-clinical) preferred;
  • Candidates must have a valid NJ drivers license;
  • Knowledge of Newark neighborhoods and services strongly preferred. Candidates must be comfortable engaging the public regularly;
  • Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred;
  • Experience working with Microsoft Office suite;
  • Ideal candidate will be a self-starter able to work on a multidisciplinary team.Compensation: -The compensation range for this position is $24.36 - $30.32 per hour per hour based on a 35-hour work week and is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for overtime at 1.5x the hourly rate above 40 hours per week. -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. The Center does not discriminate on the basis of 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 seek applications from women, people of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system.
    
    As of September 9, 2021, all new hires are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for medical, disability or religious reasons by the Center's Human Resources Department.
    
    In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. No phone calls or emails please.Powered by JazzHR

Keywords: Center for Justice Innovation, Newark , Legal Navigator, Legal , Newark, New Jersey