Project Manager, Eviction Diversion Initiative

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:

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 ovatingjustice.org.

Launched in late 2022, Eviction Diversion Initiative (EDI) is a partnership between the Center for Justice Innovation and the New York State Unified Court System as part of a national pilot with the National Center for State Courts. EDI’s mission is to ensure tenants and their families can access the holistic resources needed to maintain safe, stable, and affordable housing while advancing data‑driven, harm‑reduction approaches to housing court practice through close collaboration with courts, government agencies, and community stakeholders.

The Center for Justice Innovation seeks to hire Project Managers to oversee the daily operations of EDI in Housing Courts located in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Project Managers will lead borough‑level implementation and day‑to‑day operations of EDI, supervise direct service staff, and ensure 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.

• Supervise, train, and support a team of staff, Ameri Corps members, interns, and volunteers providing direct services to tenants in Housing Court;
• Manage performance through regular reviews, coaching, and disciplinary action, as needed;
• Manage day‑to‑day EDI operations, ensuring high‑quality, timely, and consistent service delivery, helping tenants navigate the court processes, gathering required documentation, completing court forms, and accessing public benefits, rental assistance, and other supportive services;
• Serve as a liaison among tenants, attorneys, landlords, judges, and other court personnel to help resolve issues related to nonpayment of rent, repairs, and other eviction risks;
• Build and steward collaborative relationships with on‑ and off‑site partners, including the New York State Unified Court System, New York City Housing Authority, New York City Human Resources Administration, Housing Court Answers, legal services providers, and other community‑based organizations;
• Develop and maintain up‑to‑date resource lists and databases for legal, housing, employment, health, and social service referrals;
• Represent the EDI in court, including providing updates as appropriate;
• Maintain accurate client records, service documentation, and outcome data in centralized database;
• Oversee timely grant reporting including data, narratives, and operational updates;
• Oversee office operations within assigned court location, including facilities, signage, supplies, and technology needs;
• Participate in trainings and professional development opportunities;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• 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;
• The candidate must be a skilled communicator (both oral and written), able…