Deputy Project Director

The Office Of National Initiatives

The Office of National Initiatives provides training and technical assistance to jurisdictions across the country to support the planning, implementation, and enhancement of innovative approaches to justice. The department's work encompasses behavioral health, community violence, intimate partner violence, court reform, including problem solving courts, housing justice, access to justice and many areas of community justice.

The National Initiatives department is seeking a Deputy Project Director to work on a firearms project within the Erie County Integrated Domestic Violence Court. The Erie County Integrated Domestic Violence Court (IDV) seeks to provide a coordinated response to intimate partner firearm violence in Erie County through the development of the Firearms Analysis, Response, and Surrender Project. This project aims to increase offender firearm surrender, monitoring, and accountability by ensuring enhanced coordination and communication between law enforcement and the court.

Reporting to the Director of Judicial Education and Leadership, the Deputy Project Director will oversee and manage all aspects of the project, including comprehensive collaboration with stakeholders, development of policy, procedures, and program materials, management of contracting and fiscal reporting, and representation of the Center at local and citywide events, meetings, panels, and community forums.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

• Lead the strategic planning and implementation of all Firearms Analysis, Response, and Surrender Project programming and services;
• Develop and oversee the Project Team;
• Connect with LGBTQAI+ advocates, hearing-impaired agencies, tribal jurisdictions, underserved communities of Buffalo City, and survivors for lived experiences for membership in the Firearms Team, especially for the creation of protocols;
• Facilitate regular Project Team meetings to create protocols, address firearms surrender transmission and communication issues, and address survivor concerns;
• Review all family and criminal court cases in Erie IDV to understand firearm directives issued, access by defendant to firearms, actions taken by law enforcement, and monitoring of surrender;
• Prepare compliance calendars and monitor firearm surrender compliance and law enforcement response at each IDV court appearance;
• Assist in the development of an assessment tool for understanding unreported firearms possession in IPV police reports and family court petitions;
• Develop and implement protocols with off-site agencies;
• Assist in the development of bench guides for Judges and court personnel outlining the protocols created on firearms seizure, surrender procedures;
• Create checklists for court personnel and law enforcement to clarify and streamline communication between them concerning firearms surrender notifications;
• Oversee the submission of required reports and compliance-related paperwork;
• Work collaboratively and maintain relationships with court staff, community partners, and criminal justice and social service agencies;
• Serve as a liaison between the Court and private and public agencies;
• Collaborate and communicate professionally with all participants, legal parties, and other project stakeholders;
• Assist in developing a curriculum for training in Erie County, including identifying local and national faculty, creating an agenda, setting up CLE credits for attorneys, training evaluations, and materials;
• Develop and conduct an annual survey of staff and other participants to identify ongoing training needs;
• Collect and report required data and complete grant progress reports;
• Organize and participate in regular reviews with Center staff about program progress; and
• Additional responsibilities, as needed.

Qualifications :

Position Type : Full time until September 30, 2027.

Position Location : Buffalo, NY with some required travel throughout New York State and occasionally to other states.

Compensation : The compensation range for this position is $95,275 - $118,450 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We also 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.