Court Services Coordinator (Brooklyn) - NYC Criminal Justice Agency

COURT SERVICES COORDINATOR (Brooklyn)

PRETRIAL SERVICES

POSTED: 10/22/2024 

ABOUT CJA 

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice.  CJA is the City's main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof.  CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 100,000 persons arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency's internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City. CJA's programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 280 employees, citywide. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision and leadership of the Borough Manager, the Court Services Coordinator (CSC) will support day-to-day operations and collaborate with the existing borough staff to promote the usage of research-based practices and policies and manage the implementation of the agency's Release Assessment through the pre-arraignment interview process, bail expediting services, partnerships with key court stakeholders and court date/warrant notification efforts. The coordinator will be assigned to a borough-based worksite where they will oversee the new programming data collection and work performance of Pretrial Associates. This position will also be responsible for project implementation, basic project management, and quality assurance while working in conjunction with the Pretrial Program Coordinator.  The coordinator supports the Agency's efforts to process defendants for arraignment in a timely manner, ensuring the flow of information between NYPD, Department of Corrections, and the Office of Court Administration. This position oversees the Pretrial Associates on each shift and working collaboratively with their co-coordinators.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

OPERATIONAL

• Possesses expertise in understanding, applying, and explaining CJA programs and release assessment tool to peers, other colleagues, and stakeholders
• Engages in direct service with vulnerable populations across the pre-trial continuum, examples include youth and their families, veterans, homeless, etc.
• Collaborates with the Borough Manager (BM) to inform and implement strategies that divert at risk populations from unnecessary pretrial detention while maintaining public safety; these strategies include the pre-arraignment interview, bail expediting program, court observation program, among others.
• Provides enhanced notification and support as necessary for vulnerable populations to support court preparation and attendance
• Collaborates with all levels of Operations staff to develop and improve systems to support bail payment facilitation and service offerings, as well as family contact pre- and post-arraignment
• Participates in training on building positive and healthy relationships with vulnerable populations, conflict resolution, motivational interviewing, and other topics; implements the use of these gained skills throughout the work

LEADERSHIP

• Supervises the work of Pretrial Associates (PTAs) as they gather information from newly arrested individuals to determine their eligibility for release on recognizance (ROR)
• Monitors and supports the work of PTAs and interns as they observe and gather data from innovations including court observations and new pilots
• Monitors the following work: data entry and verification efforts of the contacts provided by newly arrested individuals, transcription of Clients criminal history records, and potential bail sureties for Bail Expediting Program (BEX) and Court Operations.
• Monitors the efforts made by Pretrial Associates and works with borough management to ensure that staff are productive during their shifts in their entirety
• Leads by example to ensure that all levels of CJA staff are informed of the agency values and motivated to perform duties in line with values and job expectations
• Oversees daily site operations, including but not limited to workflow and distribution, quality assurance, and scheduling
• Trains new and current PTAs in all aspects of the agency protocols
• Evaluates the performance of new Pretrial Associates during their probationary period and tenured PTAs on an annual basis

PLANNING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

• Able to be flexible and creative to solve problems on the job; must be able to multitask in order to achieve agency goals.
• Reviews all daily reports and prepares monthly bail expediting reports on program activity to ensure efficacy
• Proactively troubleshoots any issues with programs, services, reports, facilities, or court issues – required to report successes, complaints, and challenges if identified, observed, or received from staff 
• Assists in the compilation of statistical data and report compilation
• Participates in agency studies, operational initiatives, research and/or other special projects
• Notifies and proactively works with the Office Manager and the Borough Manager if any office, facility, and/or IT issues arise; identifies solutions to ensure all services are properly maintained and implemented
• Participates in monthly individual supervision meetings with the Borough Manager for professional development and ongoing communication/feedback
• Attends monthly town hall meetings, as well as additional meetings, to engage with all levels of staff. This may be subject to attendance outside of scheduled work hours.

PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Collaborates closely with court partners on bail expediting and notification efforts. Partners include the defense bar, prosecutor offices, NYPD, Office Court of Administration, Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, and Department of Correction Staff
• Represents CJA at national and state conferences, recruitment events, and establishes/maintains good working relationships with interacting agencies as needed
• Participates in meetings as necessary with the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice and other agencies to provide a continuum of services

Other tasks as outlined by the Borough Manager, Associate Director of Pretrial Services, and/or of QA, QI & Strategic Initiatives.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Energetic and motivated, with the ability to be innovative and resourceful
• Ability to take direction and work independently, as well as collaboratively
• Passion for working with youth and other vulnerable populations with a sense of compassion and understanding
• Open to learning new methods of working with youth and other at-risk populations while incorporating best practices
• Ability to multitask and communicate effectively with diverse communities, families, and stakeholders
• Strong problem- solving skills, using informed decision-making and good judgement
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and networks of value to organizational mission
• Manages multiple priorities using good self-management and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly respond to employee concerns about workflow
• Adjusts quickly to changing priorities and conditions, copes effectively with complexity and change.
• Reaches out to peers and cooperates with co-coordinators to establish an overall collaborative working relationship.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Service/Social Work, Criminal Justice, Criminal Psychology, or related field a preference.
• Internal candidates must have 2 years of employment as a PTA or comparable experience in another title. Candidates with prior supervisory experience are also encouraged to apply.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other computer systems is essential.
• Willingness and ability to work any assigned tour, as needed, to include evenings and weekends.
• Comfortable acting as a liaison and advocate across all pretrial settings; examples include Central Booking, court, community, etc.
• Knowledge of the NYC Criminal Justice system and/or work experience in pretrial justice is preferable.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Proficient computer skills, data collection, and writing skills.

LOCATION: Brooklyn

SALARY: $61,916 + 4,334.15 - night differential annually

Note: This role is 100% in person. Terms and conditions are subject to change based on business needs and prevailing public health guidelines.

HOURS: The midnight role schedule requires the capability to adjust to scheduled changes quickly and effectively to support operational needs. All Court Services Coordinators are subject to mandatory overtime. The shifts required are as follows, but are not limited to.

• Midnights: 11pm-7am

*Internal applicants must be in their current role for at least 1 year and are currently in good standing (no disciplinary action within 90 days) to be eligible for this role. 

CJA VALUES 

Each employee at CJA is guided by these work values:

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention.
• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families.
• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention.

BENEFITS: CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health and wellness (EAP) plan, four weeks' vacation, paid holidays and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions.  CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development.

NOTE: Only those candidates being considered will be contacted. No phone calls please.

CJA is seeking applicants who pursue professional development pathways by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and engaging with professional associations

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.