Program Manager, Social Work

Company: Center for Justice Innovation
Location: New York City
Posted on: February 21, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description 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 The Center for Justice Innovation (the Center) works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. Since 2011, the Brownsville Community Justice Center (BCJC), an operating project of the Center, has worked to address systemic inequality, enhance public safety, and create opportunities for residents to lead in building a safer, more equitable community. The Neighborhood Safety Collective (NSC) builds on BCJC’s decade of community-driven work, serving as a platform for residents, government partners, and community stakeholders to co-design and implement initiatives that improve safety, foster economic opportunity, and reduce reliance on the justice system. BCJC is seeking a Program Manager, Social Work. Reporting to the Project Director, the Program Manager is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the BCJCs' social work team, therapeutic programs, and healing-centered practices. Working in close collaboration with the Community Initiatives team, this position ensures that youth and community participants receive holistic, support that fosters healing, personal growth, stability, and long-term success. The Program Manager provides supervision, coaching, and thought leadership to a team of social workers, advocates, mentors and interns. This role plays a critical part in integrating healing centered insight into program design, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, and aligning social work practice with the Justice Center’s commitment to equity, healing, and restorative approaches to justice. Responsibilities include but are not limited to : Leadership and Supervision: Supervise and support a team of social workers, advocates, mentors and social work interns by facilitating regular individual supervisions, goal setting, performance evaluations, and case conferencing; Set clear expectations and accountability standards for ethical and high-quality social work practice in line with organizational values and healing centered principles; and Provide professional development opportunities for staff, including training, peer learning and external continuing education resources. Social Work Practice Management: Oversee all aspects of individual support, counseling, and advocacy, including enrollment, action planning, crisis intervention, referrals, and follow-up; Ensure accurate and timely documentation in data management systems in accordance with funder and organizational requirements; Maintain internal practice guidelines, workflows, and compliance standards for social work services; Identify and implement healing centered group and community programming; and Support home visit, crisis response and court advocacy practices. Program Integration and Cross-Team Collaboration: Collaborate with the Manager of Community Initiatives and program coordinators to ensure seamless integration of supportive services into youth and community programs; Co-develop responsive support for participants engaged in workforce programs, interest-based and project-based programs, and leadership development; Participate in interdisciplinary planning and design of new initiatives, ensuring social-emotional needs are centered; Serve as the primary liaison between the social work team and Community Initiatives team; and Lead resource development for the Social Work/Community Healing Team. Thought Leadership and Innovation: Provide strategic direction to enhance the role of social work at the Justice Center through a lens of racial equity, anti-oppression, affirming liberation and community-centered care; Lead ongoing learning and reflective practice initiatives within the social work team, through training, modeling and accountability; and Stay current with trends and best practices in the field, including restorative justice, community mental health, and alternatives to incarceration. Data, Reporting, and Compliance: Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of participant outcomes and service utilization data for all social work-related activities and court advocacy for youth court-mandated to the Justice Center; Ensure program data is documented accurately and reported to internal leadership and funders in a timely manner; Support program evaluation and quality assurance efforts, including internal audits and continuous improvement planning; and Ensure accurate and timely submission of case notes into salesforce. Partnership Development: Build and maintain referral relationships with external service providers in mental health, housing, education, and workforce development; Represent BCJC at relevant citywide working groups, coalitions, and networks to inform policy and practice; and Develop partnerships to expand access to specialized services for program participants and their families. Organizational Strategy and Culture: Serve as a member of the management team, contributing to Justice Center-wide planning, staff development, and internal culture initiatives; Support organization-wide efforts to create inclusive, healing-centered, and supportive environments for staff and participants; Contribute to grant proposals and program design strategies involving clinical components or case management supports; and Additional tasks as necessary. Qualifications: LMSW and a minimum 3-5 years of professional experience in community-based individual support settings required, LCSW preferred; At least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity required: SIFI certified or eligible; Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, youth development, harm reduction, and anti-oppressive practice; Demonstrated ability to lead a team, provide supervision, and manage administrative responsibilities; Experience working in community-based settings; Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills; Familiarity with data management systems and documentation standards for social services; and Bilingual (especially Spanish) is a plus but not required. Position Type: Full-time position based at a community justice site and requires regular on-site presence to supervise staff and support participants. The role includes some evening and weekend responsibilities for community meetings, participant crises, or events. Position Location: Brownsville, New York. Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $70,000 - $84,000 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. Powered by JazzHR Pskqs5WRup

Keywords: Center for Justice Innovation, Sayreville , Program Manager, Social Work, Social Services , New York City, New Jersey