Manager, Clinical Youth Diversion

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:

Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;

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

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 ovatingjustice.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Queens Community Justice Center seeks a Program Manager to lead a new court-connected youth firearm intervention initiative serving young people charged with gun-related offenses in the Queens Youth Part. The Program Manager, reporting to the Clinical Manager, will oversee the day-to-day implementation of the program and ensure that participants receive coordinated, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate services that address the underlying drivers of justice involvement and violence exposure.

The Program Manager will supervise program staff, provide assessments and direct clinical support to participants, coordinate service planning across mentoring, workforce development, and clinical services, and serve as a key liaison to court stakeholders and internal program partners.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to Program Leadership and Oversight:

• Lead the day-to-day implementation of the Youth Firearm Intervention Services program, ensuring high-quality service delivery, strong participant engagement, and compliance with program requirements;
• Supervise and support program staff, including the Court-Based Intake Specialist, and coordinate closely with mentors, workforce development staff, and clinical staff involved in participant service delivery;
• Oversee participant case planning and service coordination to ensure that each youth receives individualized, trauma-informed, and goal-oriented support;
• Maintain systems for tracking referrals, enrollment, engagement, service participation, court reporting, and participant progress;
• Monitor program performance and support implementation of quality assurance practices in collaboration with Justice Center directors and data staff;
• Participate in regular internal case review meetings and help ensure alignment across mentoring, clinical, workforce, and court-based components of the program.

Clinical Assessment and Direct Service

• Conduct comprehensive participant assessments following initial intake, using a structured assessment tool and clinical interviewing to identify participant risks, strengths, needs, and service priorities;
• Develop individualized service plans in collaboration with participants, mentors, and other relevant staff;
• Provide direct clinical services to participants, including short-term counseling, crisis intervention, psychoeducation, and trauma-informed therapeutic support;
• Facilitate healing-centered and trauma-informed groups for participants impacted by chronic violence, trauma, and justice involvement;
• Support participants’ connection to additional behavioral health services, including referrals to longer-term counseling and other specialized services as appropriate;
• Help ensure that services are responsive to the developmental, cultural, and behavioral health needs of adolescents and young adults.

Court and Systems…