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 at www.innovatingjustice.org .
THE OPPORTUNITY
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives (BJI) works to re-engineer the experience of criminal court in Brooklyn by providing judges, attorneys, and participants with meaningful alternatives to bail, fines, and jail sentences. Operating out of Kings County Criminal Court, BJI offers early diversion, alternative-to-incarceration programming, and pre-trial supervised release designed to reduce unnecessary system involvement and promote community-rooted solutions.
Through the Rapid Access to Peers, Intervention, and Diversion Project (RAPID), BJI engages participants at their earliest court appearance, conducting same‑day intakes and connecting them to immediate programming. RAPID includes two tiers:
The Rapid Engagement Tier, which supports individuals with minimal system contact by removing barriers to brief therapeutic or programmatic sessions that can lead to declination of prosecution, operating within the Project Reset program; and
The High Utilizer Tier, which focuses on individuals with more extensive system involvement, offering targeted stabilization plans addressing needs such as housing, mental health, and frequent court contact.
Together, these tiers ensure immediate access to services while right‑sizing resources to meet both lower and higher levels of need.
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives is seeking an Intake Specialist to join the Diversion team. Reporting to the Program Manager of Project Reset, the Intake Specialist will support primarily the Rapid Engagement Tier and will play a critical role in daily court operations, conducting intake directly at arraignment, preparing program completion letters, and escorting participants between court and nearby community-based programming sites, and supporting same-day referral and program engagement.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to :
Participant Engagement
Connect with eligible participants who appear at arraignments at Kings County Criminal Court and/or the Red Hook Community Justice Center and describe the diversion option;
Conduct same-day intakes, explain program requirements and expectations, and determine whether a participant is suitable for group-based work or individualized sessions;
Escort participants between court, Brooklyn Justice Initiatives offices, and community partners to ensure successful same-day programming and service access;
Support with pre-arraignment outreach for court reminders and program explanation, as needed;
Liaise with defense counsel, district attorney’s office to report participant attendance and ensure timely communication;
Facilitate or co-facilitate group-based programming and case management sessions, as needed;
Provide timely and accurate documentation of program participation and completion to court stakeholders, including defense attorneys, prosecutors, and court staff; and
Conduct intakes and assessments for the High Utilizer Tier, as needed.
Documentation and Data Management
Maintain accurate and organized participant documentation, including intake assessments, HIPAA and consent forms, legal documents, and attendance…