Manager, Social Work

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

Since 2011, the Brownsville Community Justice Center (BCJC), an operating project of the Center, has worked to address systemic inequality, enhance public safety, and create opportunities for youth and residents to lead in building a safer, more equitable community.

The role is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the BCJCs' social work team, therapeutic programs, and healing-centered practices. Working in close collaboration with the Community Initiatives team, this position ensures that youth and community participants receive holistic support that fosters healing, personal growth, stability, and long-term success. The Manager will provide supervision, coaching, and thought leadership to a team of social workers, advocates, mentors and interns. This role plays a critical part in integrating healing centered insight into program design, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, and aligning social work practice with the Justice Center’s commitment to equity, healing, and restorative approaches to justice. 

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Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Leadership & Supervision:

• Supervise social workers, advocates, mentors, and interns with regular performance check-ins;
• Set ethical practice expectations aligned with organizational values; and
• Facilitate staff training and professional development.  

Social Work Practice Management:

• Oversee individual support, counseling, crisis intervention, referrals, and follow-up;
• Provide counseling to a small caseload of participants;
• Provide direct crisis intervention support as needed;
• Ensure accurate documentation in data systems per funder and organizational standards;
• Maintain workflows and practice compliance guidelines;
• Implement healing-centered group and community programming; and
• Support home visits, crisis response, and court advocacy.  

Program Integration & Cross-Team Collaboration:

• Coordinate with Community Initiatives and other teams to align social services with broader programming;
• Co-develop responsive support for participants across programs;
• Liaise between social work and community initiatives teams; and
• Contribute to designing new initiatives with social-emotional needs at the center.  

Thought Leadership & Innovation:

• Provide strategic directions to strengthen social work’s role through equity-centered practice;
• Lead ongoing learning and reflective practice; and
• Stay current with best practices in restorative justice and community mental health.  

Data, Reporting & Compliance:

• Manage collection, analysis, and reporting of outcomes and service utilization;
• Ensure timely, accurate data flow to leadership and funders; and
• Support program evaluation and quality assurance.  

Partnership Development:

• Build referral relationships with external service providers (housing, education, workforce);
• Represent BCJC in citywide coalitions and networks; and
• Expand access to specialized services for participants and families.  

Organizational Strategy & Culture:

• Contribute to planning, staff development, and internal culture;
• Support inclusive, healing-centered, supportive environments;
• Assist with grant proposals and program design strategies; and
• Additional tasks as necessary. 

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;
• Bilingual Spanish preferred; and
• Experience working at community justice sites or similar environments preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills including verbal, written 
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, youth development, harm reduction, and anti-oppressive practice;
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team, provide supervision, and manage administrative responsibilities;
• Experience working in community-based settings;
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills;
• Familiarity with data management systems and documentation standards for social services; 
• Leadership and team supervision;
• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice;
• Program integration and interdisciplinary collaboration;
• Data tracking, reporting, and compliance;
• Partnership building and external stakeholder engagement; and
• Strategic thinking and reflective practice.

Position Type: Full-time, Monday - Friday from 10:00AM - 6:00PM.

Position Location: Brooklyn, New York.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $92,500 - $110,000 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.