Project Manager, Eviction Diversion Initiative (Syracuse/Rochester)

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:

1. Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
2. Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and
3. 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 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 two Project Managers for the Upstate New York EDI team – one Project Manager for Rochester Housing Court and one for Syracuse Landlord/Tenant Court. Reporting to the Project Director, EDI (Upstate New York) the Project Managers 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.   

• 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; and
• Additional tasks as necessary. 

Qualifications:

• 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