Intake Specialist, Alternative to Incarceration

Center for Justice Innovation • New York, NY

3d • $52,000 - $64,500 • Onsite

About The Position

Brooklyn Justice Initiatives (BJI) seeks to reengineer the experience of criminal court in Brooklyn, New York by providing judges and attorneys meaningful alternatives to bail, fines, and jail sentences. Operating out of Kings County Criminal Court, Brooklyn Justice Initiatives is a team of social service providers, court-based resource coordinators, and others who seek to improve the quality of justice. By providing meaningful pre-trial supervised release and post-conviction sentencing options, Brooklyn Justice Initiatives seeks to use an arrest as a window of opportunity to change the direction of a participant’s life and avoid the harmful effects of incarceration.
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives is seeking an Intake Specialist to join the Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) team. Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, the Intake Specialist is primarily responsible for assisting with daily intake operations at Brooklyn Justice Initiatives offices. The Intake Specialist provides coverage and services for an array of court-based, ATI programs operated by BJI. This includes the Brooklyn Young Adult Court serving young adults ages 18-24 charged with misdemeanor level offenses and adult Alternative to Incarceration programming, providing both pre and post-plea services for individuals charged with misdemeanors and felonies. The Intake Specialist may be called upon to support with intake for other diversion initiatives and assist with community-based events and attend offsite Brooklyn Justice Initiative/CJI events.

Requirements

• Associate's degree and 1 year of experience or 2-3 years experience in the criminal justice field as an equivalency is required, a Bachelor's degree is preferred;
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment;
• Demonstrated interest in working with young adults, including individuals with mental health and substance use needs;
• Ability to engage individuals from diverse backgrounds using a culturally responsive and trauma-informed approach;
• Professional demeanor with the ability to communicate effectively with court stakeholders and partners;
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication, and writing skills required;

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual skills (English-Spanish or other languages) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intakes and needs-based screenings for newly mandated clients, clearly explaining program requirements and expectations;
• Coordinate and schedule client participation in on-site and off-site services, both in-person and via phone, ensuring timely engagement;
• Respond to participant inquiries across phone, email, and in-person channels, triaging urgent needs and coordinating appropriate follow-up;
• Deliver services using a participant-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach, utilizing de-escalation strategies when needed and escalating concerns appropriately;
• Manage an active caseload, monitoring compliance with court-mandated services and conducting outreach to clients, attorneys, and collateral contacts to support engagement and court reporting;
• Facilitate coordinated service delivery by liaising with internal teams and community-based providers, including securing referrals and verifying attendance;
• Establish and maintain relationships with community partners to support service linkages for court-involved individuals;
• Maintain accurate and timely participant records, including case notes, service updates, and enrollment information, ensuring data integrity across electronic systems;
• Support compliance reporting by gathering updates, preparing documentation, and providing accurate written and verbal reports to court stakeholders;
• Assist with group facilitation and case management sessions, as needed;
• Provide administrative and operational support, including greeting participants, data entry, and supporting Clinical and Court Operations teams, as needed;
• Support the piloting and implementation of new diversion initiatives, as needed;
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and team convenings as scheduled;
• Assist with other administrative tasks, as necessary;
• Attend Brooklyn Justice Initiatives’ events after hours, as needed; and
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed.

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%.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree