Get Involved
Join our team, and help promote the implementation of evidence-driven strategies in the real world.
About Wellbeing & Equity Innovations:Wellbeing & Equity Innovations (WEI) aims to advance science, policy, and practice to improve the well-being of individuals and families impacted by criminal legal and justice system involvement. WEI is a nonprofit that conducts rigorous innovative research, offers high quality educational opportunities for students, and provides cutting edge training and support to professionals. WEI was started in 2021 to develop a better way to support the implementation of evidence-driven strategies into practice and policy in the real world. Our mission is to promote thriving individuals, families, institutions, and communities. We achieve transformation by translating evidence-driven approaches into policies, programming, and quality improvement processes. We lead research trials and conduct program evaluations to ensure we have the most current, up-to-date, and state-of-the-art information for our stakeholders. We support government agencies, non-governmental agencies, advocates, policymakers, and businesses to achieve their goals of being effective, equitable, and humane.
CONTRACT POSITION
Program Specialist
LOCATION: Atlantic County, NJ
Contract Hourly Position (20-30 hrs/week)
POSITION OVERVIEW:
This position is responsible for coordinating and implementing programming and services for individuals who have been charged with a crime and who are participating in a violence interruption & diversion programs (VID) demonstration project. The diversion programming and services will address trauma, violence prevention, behavioral health disorders, employment, and community stability. The position requires frequent travel within communities and to project sites and a flexible schedule. The position will involve close collaboration with prosecutors and community service providers in Atlantic County, New Jersey. The Program Specialist’s responsibilities will be carried out under the supervision of the WEI Trauma and Violence Interruption Projects Director leading the overall initiative in New Jersey.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Implements evidence-driven programming and services to individuals in the violence interruption & diversion program.
- Delivery programming and services in prosecutors’ office sites, community partner sites, participants’ homes, and public settings, in addition to in-person program and service delivery, and provide mobile and technology-assisted support.
- Provides individual and group counseling interventions that address trauma, cognitive behavioral therapies,violence prevention, employment, and other community stability factors.
- Fully participates and adheres to the programming/services protocol of the project.
- Contacts, schedules, and coordinates appointments with defendants that are involved in the project.
- Coordinates with stakeholders and other community partners to schedule appointments and visits.
- Observes, identifies, and does other duties as assigned for what is needed to move the project forward in a way that best represents WEI.
- Participates in fidelity monitoring of programming and service delivery.
- Provides feedback to the program leads when alterations to programming/services occur.
- Use motivational engagement techniques to support, encourage, and retain participants in programming, services, and the research project.
- Interacts with participant families and other formal and informal community supports that will aid in community stability and individual well-being.
- Actively and regularly participates in team meetings and the identification of team goals.
- Engages other team members in reviewing project participant progress toward goals.
- Integrating feedback from participants and team members into programming and service delivery.
- Provide feedback to research team members on programming/services.
- Fully participates in training and re-training for skill development as required by WEI.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must have a master’s degree in social work, psychology, or related counseling field.
- Must be eligible to pass and maintain security clearance in correctional settings.
- Ability to adapt to various work hours, including evenings and weekends, when needed.
- Knowledge of mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and other related populations.
- Experience providing evidence-based programming and practices to vulnerable populations.
- Must have reliable transportation and a current and active driver’s license.
- Must have reliable internet and phone access.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training certification is highly preferred.
- We highly value diverse life experiences and backgrounds –including prior involvement in the criminal justice system.
- Experience delivering manualized interventions.
- Ability to engage effectively with colleagues through verbal and written communication.
- Skilled in writing and maintaining computer-based records in an accurate and timely manner.
- Ability to respond to crisis situations and psychiatric emergencies utilizing appropriate crisis intervention techniques.
- High levels of familiarity and/or experience in working with criminal justice-involved populations.
- Familiarity and/or training in motivational interviewing, solution-focused brief therapy, cognitive behavioral approaches, and/or strengths-based focus therapy.
- Highly organized, self-starter with good interpersonal, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Position Type
Wellbeing & Equity Innovations is currently seeking a single candidate for a full-time position or two candidates for part-time positions. The position period runs through December 31, 2023, with the possibility of an extension contingent on the execution of the grant funding.
Location
This position is location-specific and must be in, or within driving distance of, Atlantic County, New Jersey, for the duration of the position period.
Compensation
The expected pay range for this position is $30-$40 an hour, commensurate with experience.
To Apply
Send a cover letter and resume to sarah@wellbeingandequity.org
Doctoral Fellowship Opportunity
LOCATION: Remote | Duration: Ongoing
Application Deadline: Ongoing
POSITION OVERVIEW:
WEI is excited to announce a new fellowship opportunity for doctoral students who are passionate about impact research with individuals and systems involved with criminal justice and legal systems in the United States. This fellowship provides a unique chance to work closely with our dedicated team and gain hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and translation and dissemination of scientific discoveries. Fellows will be expected to commit a minimum of 10 hours per week. Paid and unpaid fellowships are available.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Contribute to the creation and revision of research publications and reports to be quickly disseminated to the field and aimed at influencing policy and practice.
- Engage in research activities related to literature reviews, data collection, data management, and data analysis.
- Access datasets to lead individual research publications and/or for dissertation work to draw meaningful insights, contributing to evidence-based strategies.
- Contribute to the design and refinement of programs tailored to the specific needs of justice-involved individuals and other system stakeholders.
- Assist in the development of grant applications to secure funding for ongoing initiatives.
- Attend relevant workshops and training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge in the field.
- Attend site visits as needed to conduct research directly in the field.
- Lead workshops or seminars on topics relevant to justice-involved individuals, sharing knowledge with the community.
- Participate in other research related project tasks as directed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Currently enrolled in an accredited PhD or DSW program in social work, psychology, sociology criminology/criminal justice, human behavior, marriage and family, economy, public policy, or related fields.
- Ability to adapt to flexible schedule needs, including nights and weekends; able to manage multiple tasks.
- Fully participate and adhere to human subjects, research, and practice protocol of the project.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of criminal justice, mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and other related populations.
- Skilled in writing and data management and data analysis.
- Possess quantitative and/or qualitative analysis skills.
- Highly organized, self-starter with good interpersonal, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested candidates should submit the following to Jessica Le, jessica@wellbeingandequity.org:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter (detailing your interest in the fellowship and relevant experience)
- Writing Sample (e.g., academic paper, research report)
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: WEI is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates diversity and includes perspectives from backgrounds that vary by race, ethnicity, social background, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, and national origin. We seek to continuously challenge ourselves as WEI strives to be an antiracist organization, using its influence to support a culture of learning, empowerment, and equity. Applicants should demonstrate a knowledge of and concern for issues of equity and an understanding of how disparity influences the experiences of people impacted by the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
