The Center for Court Innovation is a non-profit organization that works to create a more effective and humane justice system by performing original research and helping launch reforms around the world. The Center creates operating projects that have been documented to reduce the use of jail and prison, assist victims of crime, and strengthen communities. Nationally and internationally, the Center performs original research and provides consulting services to justice innovators.
The Center is seeking an energetic self-starter to join its Research-Practice Strategies team. Research-Practice Strategies spans the Center’s three primary areas of work: research, operating programs, and expert assistance. The Research-Practice Strategies team focuses on a range of criminal justice initiatives, and projects seek to improve justice system responses to both defendants and victims, and to promote racial justice.
Reporting to the Deputy Director of Research-Practice Strategies, the Coordinator, Criminal Defense Initiatives (Coordinator) will be primarily responsible for providing on-site and remote consultation to partner jurisdictions through the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Sixth Amendment Initiative. Currently providing technical assistance and research support to ten jurisdictions across the country to improve and enhance Sixth Amendment rights, the Initiative will expand to include an additional five within the next year. The Coordinator will have the opportunity to advise jurisdictions in their development of innovative approaches to reform across a broad range of areas, including pre-trial, right to counsel, case processing, alternative sentencing, and jail reform.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Assist the Deputy Director of Research-Practice Strategies in overseeing the Sixth Amendment Initiative, which marries research and practice (e.g., data-driven approaches to justice system reform).
- Coordinate technical assistance to sites focused on the right to counsel and constitutional provisions under the 6th Amendment.
- Manage a portfolio of multiple partner jurisdictions engaged in reform efforts, including tracking project goals, timelines, and deliverables, and monitoring and reporting to funding agencies on project milestones.
- Identify and develop strategies to assist sites in implementing reform projects.
- Work closely and collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders (e.g., defense attorneys, court staff, jail staff, research partners, community leaders, police, prosecutors, judges, etc.) in sites across the country.
- Assist team members in the planning, implementation, project management, and review of new and ongoing department initiatives.
- Prepare and facilitate presentations and trainings for diverse audiences.
- Draft progress reports, grant proposals and policy-oriented products (e.g. white papers, presentations, web content, fact sheets) related to right to counsel initiatives.
Qualifications:
- J.D. required.
- Experience as a criminal justice system practitioner – preferably as a former public defender.
The ideal candidate should also have:
- Prior experience with project management, including initiating, planning, and guiding team members in the execution of a project or a new venture.
- Prior experience working on cross-agency reform efforts.
- The ability to identify, design, and implement consulting strategies for stakeholders.
- Experience developing strong relationships across a varied group of stakeholders.
- Ability to facilitate and engage participants in large group discussions and presentations.
- Excellent time management skills, along with strong oral and written communication skills.
- Willingness to travel frequently.
Core Competencies:
- Committed to criminal justice reform, systems change work, and social justice.
- Fill-the-gap mentality; willingness to take ownership of and solve problems.
- Able to be autonomous, with a passion for driving even the most challenging efforts forward.
- Collaborative and supportive with team members.
- Committed and open to learning and engaging in healthy debate with team members.
- Sense of humor, critical thinking skills, and ability to manage a fast-paced work environment are a huge plus.