Organization Description

Youth Justice Network (formerly known as Friends of Island Academy) was founded in 1990 on the school floors of Rikers Island to anchor, support and develop capacity among young people newly released from jail in New York City. Our mission is to break cycles of incarceration and build an equitable justice system by providing young people with individualized advocacy, mentorship, and opportunities to grow, thrive, and lead. Youth Justice Network builds on connections developed with young people whose lives have intersected with the justice system, and leverages those relationships to provide post-release, neighborhood-based supportive services. Young people become members of Youth Justice Network for the long-term and develop personal milestones and goals in health and well-being, education, employment, youth leadership and community participation.

New Initiative

Youth Justice Network is honored and excited to have been selected by the NYC Administration for Children’s Services/Division of Youth and Family Services to offer Workforce Development Services for young people held in secure detention at Crossroads, and limited secure and Close to Home placement settings in Brooklyn and Queens. The award represents an investment in the promise of so many of the City’s most resilient young people and reflects YJN’s experience in supporting justice-involved young people in and out of custody. This initiative will launch September 1, 2026. Youth Justice Network is building a team to provide young people in ACS custody with high quality career exploration, work readiness, vocational training, tutoring, and related supports. The vision and goal of this initiative is to leverage young peoples’ time in detention and placement by offering relevant, necessary skills and tools to build self-efficacy and agency. In collaboration with ACS, DOE, and key community partnerships, this initiative will provide justice-impacted young people with individualized advocacy, mentorship, coaching, and opportunities to grow, thrive, and lead.

Position Overview 

The Program Coordinator supports the day-to-day implementation of Youth Justice Network's career and education pathways for justice-impacted youth in ACS custody and as they transition into the community. Reporting to the Senior Director, the coordinator organizes program activities, maintains consistent communication with participants and partners, tracks services and outcomes, and helps ensure that each young person can move smoothly among academic, training, internship, and employment opportunities. 

This role is well suited to a highly organized, relationship-centered professional who can manage details, respond calmly to changing needs, and translate program plans into reliable, trauma-informed services. 

Key Responsibilities 

Program Coordination and Operations 

• Coordinate schedules, enrollment steps, orientations, workshops, tutoring, GED preparation, college-readiness activities, vocational training, internships, and employer events. 
• Maintain program calendars, participant rosters, attendance records, referral lists, consent forms, and other required documentation. 
• Arrange program logistics, including meeting space, materials, technology, transportation support, meals, and communication with participants and partners. 
• Track action items and deadlines and provide the Senior Director with timely updates on progress, risks, and operational needs. 
• Support purchasing, invoices, stipends, and other routine administrative processes in coordination with finance and operations staff. 

Participant Engagement and Support 

• Build consistent, respectful relationships with young people using strengths-based, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed practices. 
• Help participants identify education and career goals and complete next steps such as applications, registration, document collection, interview preparation, and follow-up. 
• Conduct regular outreach by phone, text, email, and in person to encourage attendance, address barriers, and reconnect participants who disengage. 
• Coordinate referrals and warm handoffs to internal advocates and external education, training, employment, and supportive-service providers. 
• Escalate urgent participant needs, safety concerns, and service gaps promptly in accordance with organizational policies and supervisory guidance. 

Partnership and Event Support 

• Serve as a reliable day-to-day contact for schools, CUNY/SUNY programs, training providers, employers, ACS and DOE staff, and community partners. 
• Schedule partner meetings, prepare agendas and materials, document decisions, and monitor follow-up commitments. 
• Support the planning and delivery of career fairs, employer visits, campus tours, workshops, graduations, and other participant-facing events. 
• Gather participant and partner feedback and share emerging needs and opportunities with the Senior Director. 

Data, Quality, and Compliance 

• Enter timely and accurate participant, service, attendance, milestone, credential, placement, and follow-up data in designated systems. 
• Review records for completeness, resolve routine discrepancies, and support periodic data-quality checks and file audits. 
• Compile program updates, dashboards, success stories, and supporting documentation for internal review, funder reports, ACS deliverables, and Board materials. 
• Protect confidential information and follow all organizational, contractual, and regulatory requirements. 
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying workflow gaps, documenting effective practices, and supporting implementation of approved changes. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in education, human services, social work, public administration, youth development, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will be considered. 
• At least 3 years of experience coordinating youth development, education, workforce development, reentry, or community-based programs. 
• Demonstrated ability to engage young people whose lives have been impacted by the justice system, child welfare system, school disconnection, or other systemic barriers. 
• Strong organizational and follow-through skills, with the ability to manage multiple schedules, records, deadlines, and stakeholder requests. 
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills and comfort collaborating across government, education, nonprofit, and employer partners. 
• Experience maintaining confidential case or program records and entering data accurately; proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace required. 
• Sound judgment, flexibility, and the ability to respond calmly and respectfully in fast-moving environments. 
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, youth voice, and social justice. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Knowledge of New York City education, workforce development, ACS, DOE, CUNY/SUNY, or community-based service systems. 
• Experience with case-management or participant-tracking databases and basic program reporting. 
• Familiarity with GED/HSE pathways, postsecondary access, vocational credentials, internships, and entry-level employment programs. 
• Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to the communities served. 

Core Competencies 

• Youth-centered relationship building 
• Operational coordination and attention to detail 
• Partner communication and follow-through 
• Data accuracy and confidentiality 
• Collaborative problem-solving 
• Adaptability and accountability 

Work Requirements 

• Ability to work on-site in Brooklyn and Queens and travel locally to ACS facilities, schools, training sites, employer locations, and community events. 
• Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required for participant activities and events. 
• The position may require compliance with site-specific background checks, clearances, health and safety protocols, and confidentiality requirements. 

Salary range: $55,000-$60,000