Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Justice Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a passionate and highly organized Justice Coordinator to join our team and become a pivotal force in our mission to advance equity and support community-led justice initiatives. As a Justice Coordinator, you will be the central point of contact for our programs, connecting clients with essential resources, facilitating restorative practices, and advocating for systemic change. This role is perfect for an individual with a deep commitment to social, racial, and economic justice, who excels at building relationships, managing complex cases, and empowering communities. You will be instrumental in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs that directly impact the lives of those we serve, ensuring our efforts are both compassionate and effective.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Case Manager or Case Worker
Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Community Organizer or Outreach Specialist

Advancement To:

Program Manager, Social Justice Initiatives
Director of Advocacy or Policy
Senior Restorative Justice Practitioner

Lateral Moves:

Community Outreach Manager
Victim Advocate Specialist
Grant Writer or Development Associate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage a diverse and complex caseload, providing comprehensive, trauma-informed support and advocacy for clients navigating legal, carceral, and social service systems.
Conduct thorough client intakes, needs assessments, and develop individualized service and advocacy plans in collaboration with clients to achieve their goals.
Facilitate restorative justice circles, mediations, and conflict resolution sessions between individuals, community members, and stakeholders to promote healing and accountability.
Develop, coordinate, and deliver educational workshops and training sessions for community members and partner organizations on topics such as racial equity, tenants' rights, and restorative practices.
Serve as a primary liaison between clients and external partners, including legal counsel, government agencies, social service providers, and housing authorities, to ensure coordinated care.
Engage in direct advocacy efforts, including writing support letters, making phone calls, and accompanying clients to court dates, hearings, or appointments.
Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with a network of community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and local leaders to strengthen referral pathways and collective impact.
Lead community outreach initiatives to raise awareness of our services, recruit program participants, and build trust within underserved populations.
Monitor and document all client interactions, case progress, and outcomes meticulously in our case management database, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
Assist in the development and implementation of new program initiatives, from initial concept and research to pilot and full-scale launch.
Participate in local and regional coalition meetings, task forces, and working groups to represent the organization and contribute to broader policy change efforts.
Research, analyze, and synthesize information on emerging justice-related issues, policies, and legislation to inform program strategy and advocacy priorities.
Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and de-escalation for clients experiencing acute distress, connecting them to immediate mental health or safety resources.

Secondary Functions

Support the grant writing and reporting process by collecting client stories, testimonials, and programmatic data to demonstrate impact to funders.
Assist in the recruitment, training, and supervision of interns and volunteers who support the justice program's activities.
Develop and distribute culturally competent educational materials, fact sheets, and "know your rights" resources for community members.
Organize and execute logistics for community events, forums, and large-scale meetings, including venue booking, outreach, and material preparation.
Contribute to the organization's strategic planning process, providing frontline insights to shape long-term goals and objectives.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to identify trends in client needs and service gaps.
Collaborate with the communications team to create content for social media, newsletters, and the website that highlights program successes and advocacy campaigns.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the program team to ensure alignment and efficient execution of tasks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Case Management Software: Proficiency in using client management systems (e.g., Salesforce, ETO, CharityTracker) for data entry, tracking, and reporting.
Legal System Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of the civil or criminal legal system, court procedures, and relevant terminology.
Grant & Report Writing: Experience assisting with data collection and narrative development for grant proposals and funder reports.
Bilingual Fluency: Professional working proficiency in a second language (e.g., Spanish, Haitian Creole, Mandarin) is often highly preferred or required.
Microsoft Office Suite/Google Workspace: Advanced proficiency in Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, and PowerPoint/Slides for documentation, data organization, and presentations.
Research Skills: Ability to conduct policy, legal, or community-based research and synthesize complex information effectively.

Soft Skills

Empathy & Cultural Competency: A deep capacity for empathy and the ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and personal backgrounds.
Communication & Active Listening: Exceptional interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly, listen actively, and build rapport with clients and partners.
Conflict Resolution & De-escalation: Demonstrated ability to mediate disputes and de-escalate tense situations with a calm and trauma-informed approach.
Advocacy & Persuasion: A powerful and persuasive advocate, comfortable representing client interests in various settings, from one-on-one meetings to public forums.
Resilience & Composure: Ability to maintain composure and effectiveness while working with sensitive subject matter, crisis situations, and secondary trauma.
Organizational & Time Management: Superb organizational skills to manage multiple competing priorities, a heavy caseload, and strict deadlines without sacrificing quality.
Problem-Solving: Proactive and creative problem-solver who can identify challenges, develop viable solutions, and navigate complex bureaucratic systems.
Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong team player who thrives in a collaborative environment and actively contributes to a positive and supportive team culture.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Equivalent life and professional experience, especially direct experience with the justice system, will be strongly considered.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in Social Work (MSW), Public Policy (MPP), Law (JD), Criminology, or a related discipline.
Certification in Mediation, Restorative Justice Practices, or Trauma-Informed Care.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work
Sociology or Criminology
Public Policy or Political Science
Law or Paralegal Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of professional experience in case management, community organizing, legal services, or a related field within a non-profit, government, or social services setting.

Preferred:

Lived experience with the criminal legal system or other systems of oppression is highly valued.
Direct experience working with justice-involved individuals, immigrant communities, or other marginalized populations.
Proven track record of developing and facilitating workshops or training programs.