Develop relationships with young people in jail (via video teleconference) and in custodial settings, with the goal of creating and following individualized plans during and after custody

• Work closely with the Shifting Gears team weekly to conduct outreach across Staten Island and link justice-impacted youth to YJN services
• Reach out to the youth's significant other/family and other potential supports to develop a healthy rapport and create a support system for the young adult
• Conduct consistent weekly video teleconference visits leading up to the youth member’s release date, allowing time to cement relationships and meet with families before their release
• Continuously engage with youth members and sustain regular communication as they navigate challenges within the system, including Rikers Island, the criminal justice system, and reentry services post-release
• Gather relevant information to create an individualized plan that includes reaching out to community organizations that will serve the young person while in community or upon release
• Collaborate with local community-based organizations, faith-based services, local precincts, and human resource agencies to establish a network of support and resources for the youth
• Gauge young person’s readiness to make positive changes/improvements in their life
• Collaborate with the in-house court advocacy team to identify young people who need additional support at court, and assist young people with following through on this plan
• Daily documentation of outreach, follow-up, individualized youth plans, and youth progress in the online database system.

Leverage relationships and release plans established with young people during custody and in the community via Shifting Gears outreach to provide neighborhood-based supports

• Prepare and support families for a youth member’s transition home from justice system involvement before release from custody
• Facilitate and support youth enrollment, engagement, and academic advancement
• Provide one-on-one and group mentoring in a YJN hub to build relationships and support young people toward achieving positive youth outcomes
• Connect youth to post-release neighborhood-based services, both in-house and with partner organizations, to support youth development and leverage natural supports in the neighborhood on behalf of youth members
• Facilitate and support young people’s engagement with the world of work
• Leverage relationships with formal and informal community members/leaders, local vendors, and faith-based supports
• Collaborate closely with the mitigation specialist to offer support for community court appearances and advocacy efforts
• Help develop and co-facilitate workshops and groups focusing on vital topics to aid youth in making informed and healthy choices

• Bachelor’s degree required and relevant experience working with youth population;
• Two years of experience with youth and young adults who are systems involved (i.e. juvenile justice, child welfare, etc.);
• Two years of experience working in a community-based setting providing crisis support and/or case management;
• Integrity, flexibility and a profound commitment to the youth we serve;
• Committed to working collegially and in a team-based setting;
• Experience/training in youth development;
• Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and an understanding and belief in strengths-based youth development philosophy;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Skilled in meticulous documentation and an eye for detail; proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience in data entry on online database systems or a willingness to learn online database systems;
• Individuals with prior criminal justice involvement are encouraged to apply but must be able to gain clearance on Rikers Island (no contact with the criminal justice system for two years, including parole or probation).
• Physical ability to travel extensively throughout the five boroughs and Rikers via walking and public transportation.
• Occasional evenings and weekends required for youth development activities/events

Preferred

• Experience in education, conflict resolution, and/or counseling;
• Experience with or understanding of trauma-informed practices;
• Bilingual; Spanish or Creole
• Experience working with DOCCs, DOC, and ACS systems and facilities;
• Experience in program start-up and/or working in a secure/custodial setting is strongly preferred

Youth Justice Network is privileged to have a profoundly committed and caring staff - one that believes unconditionally in our youth members' ability to do right and do well. We take our work very seriously, but we strive to make time for joy and self-care. We look for staff from all walks of life who have integrity, humor, and a strong work ethic, and who are passionate about young people and committed to addressing the harms caused by incarceration.

Depending on full or part-time status, benefits include a competitive vacation/sick leave policy including three days off between Christmas and New Year's Day, four-day summer weeks through July and August, generous health insurance, 403b match.

Start Date: As soon as possible

Annual Salary Range: $50,000

For internal equity, we are unable to go outside of the salary posted.

Please send a resume and cover letter to careers@youthjustice.org and twornum@youthjustice.org (Tahirah Wornum, Finance and Administration Coordinator).