THE ORGANIZATION

The 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 Programs

The 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.

Research

The 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 Assistance

The 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 OPPORTUNITY

Underway since 2015 and led by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) is a comprehensive strategy to enhance public safety and strengthen community well-being in public housing developments across New York City. Neighborhood Safety Initiatives (NSI), a project of the Center for Justice Innovation, supports the implementation of NeighborhoodStat (NSTAT), a resident-driven; community organizing initiative in the MAP program. MAP initially identified 15 public housing communities disproportionately impacted by persistent levels of violent crime and disorder for participation in the program. In 2022, the MAP program and NSI’s scope of work expanded to serve 30 public housing communities.

Neighborhood Safety Initiatives works to improve public safety in New York City by investing in residents, transforming public spaces, and influencing policy. The key pillars that form the foundation for our work are racial equity, shifting power, access to resources, inclusive design, and deep participation. Neighborhood Safety Initiatives provides training in community organizing, human-centered design, and re-envisioning public spaces to promote community wellbeing.

Residents collaboratively identify community conditions, access and analyze data, propose tangible solutions to challenges and learn how to access the resources needed to carry them out and support community safety. Staff co-design and execute participatory decision-making processes to center residents in government decision-making and resource allocation. Through the development of stakeholder teams, made up entirely of local residents, we collaboratively identify community conditions, access and analyze data, identify and leverage resources, and improve resident capacity through trainings. NSI supports communities to prioritize local initiatives, including participatory placekeeping, and uplift policy recommendations to address structural racism, local concerns and enhance public safety, reduce victimization, promote healing and improve well-being.

We are seeking a creative participatory designer, visual artist, illustrator, graphic designer, and/or architect professional who is committed to social justice and is excited to work with organizers and residents across the city to elevate community voices. Reporting to the AD of Neighborhood Equity Design, the Designer will support the implementation of creative participatory design processes, public space transformation projects, social programming, training, and direct action agendas.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Develop and Design Campaigns, Collateral and Communications Materials

• Work with NSI leadership staff and the initiative’s organizers to create engaging design collateral and content including original illustrations, event flyers, infographics, data visualization, photographs, renders, plans, and more;
• Work with NSI leadership staff to develop and implement branding guidelines
• Create vibrant and compelling templates (for flyers, banners, digital collateral, presentations, etc.) that can be customized according to each site’s needs.
• Collaborate with NSI staff on the development of cross-team projects such as outreach campaigns, event promotions, technical assistance and capacity building and more;
• Work with the initiative’s organizers and residents teams to obtain relevant information required for the creation of design collateral, social media campaigns, marketing, and promotional materials;
• Work with the Communications and Design Coordinator to create communications and marketing materials such as event flyers, posters, one-pagers, postcards, pamphlets, banners, t-shirts, website materials, e-newsletters, and other promotional materials as needed;
• Work with NSI leadership staff to create and/or update external/internal presentation materials, quarterly reports, year-end reports and more;
• Work with NSI leadership staff to visualize the impact of the initiative through data visualization.

Support the Design of Residents Action Plans and Participatory Processes

• Support the initiative’s organizers, residents and Communications and Design Coordinator in the content creation of communications materials for community projects which may include flyers, digital campaigns, and more;
• Work with NSI key leadership team and the AD of Neighborhood Equity Design in the creation of and editing of visuals for community participatory processes;
• Work with NSI key leadership team and the AD of Neighborhood Equity Design in the creation of and editing of facilitation tools used by organizers and residents;
• Provide support in the design development of Action Plan and other physical space projects as needed.

Documentation and Administration

• Documents and participates in events and programs, including but not limited to taking videos, photos, and more;
• Create and organize photographs, marketing materials, and other documents;
• Attend relevant staff, communications, partner agency meetings and resident stakeholder team meetings and events as needed;
• Perform additional tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will have a BA and entry-level experience in visual arts, participatory designer, illustration, graphic design, architecture and/or communications;
• Knowledge of design skills and experience using Adobe programs including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator a must;
• Proven success designing compelling materials that elevate community voices;
• Dedication and commitment to social justice issues with an equity lens;
• Proficient in Microsoft programs and Google Suite;
• Experience in AutoCAD, SketchUp and/or GIS is a plus but not necessary;
• Some level of experience in community engagement and creativity in developing new ways to reach the public;
• Candidate must be highly organized and detail-oriented;
• Comfortable working with people who bring many different skills to the table, and can align your talents with theirs;
• Have the ability to learn new tools and do self-guided work within a fast-paced environment;
• Knowledge of, or a willingness to learn about accessibility in marketing materials and design;
• A strong work ethic and passion for collaborating with others;
• Ability to travel locally across all five boroughs as needed;
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $60,000 - $72,000 and is commensurate with experience. 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 please.

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