Project Manager, Eviction Diversion Initiative (Syracuse)

Center for Justice Innovation•Syracuse, NY

3d•$64,300 - $79,800•Onsite

About The Position

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. The Eviction Diversion Initiative is a project of the Center for Justice Innovation in partnership with the New York State Unified Court System. After a successful pilot in New York City and on Long Island, EDI will be launching in Rochester and Syracuse Housing Courts. The Center for Justice Innovation seeks to hire a Project Manager for the Upstate New York EDI team in the Syracuse Landlord/Tenant Court. Reporting to the Project Director, EDI (Upstate New York) the Project Manager will lead implementation and day-to-day operations of EDI, supervising direct service staff, and ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery. The Project Manager will serve as a key operational and relational bridge between tenants, court partners, public benefits administrators, and service providers, ensuring all housing court is a place where people facing eviction can find support with immediate and interconnected needs and remain stably housed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of relevant experience or Master's degree and 1-2 years of relevant experience (related to housing court, tenant rights, public benefits navigation or human services) or 5-6 years relevant professional or lived experience
1-2 years of prior supervisory experience required
Must be a skilled communicator (both oral and written), able to work in multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations, both onsite and in the community
The candidate should have strong leadership and management skills and possess the ability to multi-task
Knowledge of landlord/tenant court preferred
Language other than English skills highly desirable
Strong strategic thinker with the ability to balance immediate operational needs with long-term planning
Highly organized, detail-oriented, flexible, and innovative, with sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy
Commitment to the mission, values, and populations served by the Center for Justice Innovation

Nice To Haves

Language other than English skills highly desirable

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day EDI operations, ensuring effective, timely, and trauma-informed service delivery
Supervise, train, and support Housing Navigators and interns, including onboarding, coaching, performance management, and coverage planning
Provide direct assistance to housing court litigants as needed, including support navigating court processes, accessing rental assistance and public benefits, and understanding tenant rights
Design, implement, and refine site-level interventions related to eviction prevention, housing stability, and civil legal resources in response to emerging tenant and court needs
Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot intake, referral, case management, and data-tracking systems to ensure timely communication and updates to the court
Serve as a liaison among tenants, judges, court attorneys, clerks, and court administration to help resolve issues related to nonpayment of rent, repairs, and other eviction risks
Build and steward collaborative relationships with local partners, including city and county agencies, legal services providers, housing agencies, social service organizations, and community-based groups
Coordinate with partners to facilitate referrals, inspections, documentation, workshops, and outreach related to housing, benefits, repairs, and tenant rights
Review and monitor housing court stipulations and agreements to support compliance and identify issues requiring escalation to EDI leadership or partners
Ensure accurate and timely documentation of client services, outcomes, and program activities in centralized databases
Oversee monthly data submissions and support grant reporting by providing operational updates, metrics, and narratives as requested
Oversee office operations at assigned court sites, including facilities, signage, supplies, and technology needs
Represent EDI at meetings, trainings, and local forums as delegated by the Project Director
Additional tasks as necessary