Coordinator, Community Engagement

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 .

THE OPPORTUNITY

Neighbors in Action (NIA), formerly known as the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, provides anti-violence programs, youth programs, and resource links to community residents in the Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy) neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Its mission is to encourage communication and understanding, prevent future conflicts, and help foster stronger, healthier neighborhoods. The organization also houses two Cure Violence sites in partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Office: Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights and S.O.S. Bed-Stuy, collectively known as Save Our Streets Brooklyn.

Neighbors in Action Bed-Stuy is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator. Reporting to the Associate Director, Community Safety, the Coordinator will work to increase community activation opportunities to promote neighborhood safety; create and maintain bonds between residents and third-party organizations for service referrals and support, manage NIA’s volunteer recruitment and management, serve as point-person for all the organization’s community initiatives including event planning and special projects, and perform constant outreach activities to community stakeholders, local organizations, and businesses.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and retain a comprehensive engagement plan, with a clear strategy, benchmarks, and outcomes, to create partnerships and gain a solid understanding of key community priorities;
• Capture community and resident insights and engage experts to create meeting and action agenda’s that introduce residents to a variety of interventions strategies and/or frameworks for community organizing and problem-solving;
• Develop and maintain a Client Relations Management (CRM) database inclusive of contact information for elected officials, local community-based organizations (CBOs), businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, government agencies (including NYPD), and other community stakeholders;
• Strategize and implement activation programming and community based initiatives for S.O.S. participants, community-members, and clients;
• Draft regular correspondence to community stakeholders about available activities and opportunities, including NIA events and accomplishments, via email, website, and text;
• Update outreach materials, talking points and presentation materials for Neighbors in Action and S.O.S. Bed-Stuy programs;
• Implement a volunteer management strategy, including utilizing appropriate technology for the maintenance of volunteer contact info, touch points, tracking, and appreciation;
• Represent NIA at community meetings, presentations, trainings, and conferences that are pertinent to the successful work of the organization;
• Discover new funding opportunities for NIA, including programming-specific grants that are geared towards therapeutic services, education and career opportunities for S.O.S. participants; and
• Additional relevant tasks, as necessary.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in a related area, preferably community engagement, organizing, and/or community development. Candidates should be passionate, skilled, and experienced in working with communities to promote health and safety. Candidates who are formerly incarcerated or have other experience in the criminal justice system are particularly invited to apply. Other requirements include:

• Commitment to working toward positive community change;
• Demonstrated success leading logistics, identifying and achieving project goals quickly, effectively, and successfully in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment;
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment, create collaborative relationships with colleagues, and work/communicate well with multiple department leaders;
• Superb facilitation skills to identify community issues, needs, feedback, and preferences in a timely manner;
• Superior project and time management skills, highly organized, detail-oriented and meticulous about quality, accuracy, and timeliness;
• A dynamic personality with a strong desire to lead and public speaking skills;
• Exceptional analytical, written and oral communication, presentation, and writing skills;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with governmental and community agencies, non-profit organizations, and community groups;
• Experience working with a variety of community stakeholders;
• Experience working with youth, especially ages of 16-24;
• Ability to adapt and change course on strategies and actions, as needed;
• Ability to incorporate the mission and values of Neighbors in Action into all community outreach and events;
• Background in advocacy or community organizing; and
• Connection to and understanding of current conversations about community violence and building safe and healthy communities.

Position Type: Full-time, flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends.

Position Location: Brooklyn, NY.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $58,000 - $72,100 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.