Budget Analyst

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways—by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.

The Center is an 800-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn’t), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world.

Operating Programs

The Center’s operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Court, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.

Research

The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.

Policy & Expert Assistance

The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Fiscal Department is seeking a Budget Analyst. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Financial Planning & Analysis the Budget Analyst will manage a portfolio of government grants and contracts, including budget and forecast preparation and analysis, ensuring compliance with government contract regulations, invoice & expense review, reconciliation and financial reporting.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage program grants, contracts, revenue, expenditures and compliance;
• Analyze program costs and variances to budget and forecast;
• Review monthly accounting close and submit adjusting journal entries as needed;
• Produce monthly program forecasts to project revenue and expenses for both line-item reimbursement and performance-based grant contracts;
• Work with Project Directors to develop budgets and forecasts for revenue & operating expenses;
• Manage relationships and reporting to government agencies and other funders;
• Function as a liaison to the Center’s parent organization to ensure accurate programmatic and grant/project income and expense reporting and compliance;
• Work with the Development department to prepare and review budgets for submission in response to requests for proposals;
• Review and approve vendor invoices, staff allocations, and expense reports; and
• Other relevant duties, as assigned. 

Qualifications:  The ideal candidate will have a BA/BS in accounting, finance, or related field and a minimum of 3 years of work experience with budgets and grants/contracts. Other qualifications include:

• Experience in nonprofit and/or government accounting, including grant and contract accounting, compliance, and reporting strongly preferred;
• Candidate must be extremely detail oriented and have familiarity with basic accounting principles and financial/accounting systems;
• Advanced proficiency in Excel required;
• Experience in prioritizing projects, meeting deadlines, and initiating follow through with meticulous attention to detail and high-level accuracy both individually and in a team setting;
• Solid analytical capabilities and strong writing skills; and
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain working relationships with staff, partner agencies, funders, and all other internal and external workforces at all levels with utmost professionalism.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $70,000 - $79,430 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.