• Provide defender-based advocacy services and planning for young people at different points along the criminal justice case process;    
• Collaborate with defense counsel, develop and oversee the preparation of supporting documentation and individualized plans for release on recognizance, pre-pleading and pre-sentence supports/planning   
  
  Plan Development  
• Collaborate with Youth Advocates/YJN staff in the development of comprehensive community based plans to present to courts/prosecutors; 
• Participate in once weekly Miller Team meetings to review and troubleshoot cases and review court calendar;  
• Participate in weekly Borough/community team meetings to evaluate youth progress towards objectives, reassess strategies, and respond to any difficulties arising in the youth’s case or life; 

Interface and advocate on behalf of youth with courts, court personnel, defense bar, prosecutors and with New York City’s array of community-based organizations; 

• Work in direct partnership with YJN staff, any community based organizations, and families to ensure progress during periods of release/on bail throughout the case process, serving as an organizing thread; 
• Build and maintaining strong relationships of trust with youth and families, provide ongoing support and mentorship, and being available to respond to evolving needs of youth during the case process; 
• Gather educational, medical, and other records; 
• Attend court (in person and virtual) on behalf of youth, presenting plans, and testifying as needed; 
• Collaborate with existing array of supervised release and alternative to detention/incarceration programs and organizations City-wide to support youth needs and opportunity for release;  

 Maintain data and metrics to review and drive outcomes 

• Maintaining careful records on project efforts and outcomes, documenting all work performed, court decisions, etc.   

Required 

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills;  
• Excellent, professional interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop rapport with a very wide range of people; 
• Strong work ethic, resourceful, motivated; 
• Creative and nimble in navigating barriers and solving problems; 
• Strong collaborative, organizational and time management skills; 
• Commitment to and passion for young people, regardless of legal circumstances; 
• Understanding and belief in strengths-based youth development practices; 

Preferred 

• Bilingual/ Spanish  
• Professional experience working with young people involved in the justice system or in similar settings with at-risk youth; 
• Understanding of relevant law and of the criminal/juvenile systems in New York; 
• Collaborate with existing array of supervised release and alternative to detention/incarceration programs and organizations City-wide to support youth needs and opportunity for release; 

Youth Justice Network is privileged to have a profoundly committed and caring staff – one which 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 self-care and joy.  We look for staff from all walks of life who have integrity, humor, a strong work ethic, are passionate about young people and committed to address the harms caused by mass incarceration.   

 Benefits include competitive vacation/sick leave policy including 3 days off between Christmas and New Year, generous health insurance, 403b employer match.  

Salary Range:  Range $48,000 – $54,000  
Target start date: June 15, 2023 

All staff must be fully vaccinated at time of hire as condition of employment.