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 Background and Description

The Head Coach will provide leadership, supervision, and direct support for a team of Career and Education Coaches serving justice-impacted youth in ACS custody. The Head Coach ensures that all youth receive individualized support, timely assessments, and engaging career development programming.

Essential Responsibilities

Supervision & Leadership

• Supervise, coach, and support a team of Coaches.

• Monitor performance and ensure timely completion of youth assessments and coaching plans.

• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and professional development for staff.

• Ensure consistent program delivery across all ACS sites.

Coaching

• Meet individually with youth in caseload within 7 days of enrollment.

• Complete an education and career assessment with each youth within 30 days.

• Develop individualized career and education plans in collaboration with youth.

• Facilitate in-custody workshops on career exploration, job readiness, workplace skills, and postsecondary planning.

• Provide one-on-one coaching on resumes, interviews, and soft skills.

• Support youth transitions to community schools, training programs, and employment.

Collaboration & Program Development

• Work closely with tutors, mentors, case managers, ACS staff, and community partners.

• Track and report program participation, outcomes, and progress toward goals.

• Help refine curriculum and engagement strategies to strengthen career pathways.

• Promote a trauma-informed, youth-centered, and culturally responsive approach across programming.

Ensure that target mission requirements and outcomes are achieved which include:

• Instill respect and appreciation for positive development in a strength-based environment and promote development of youth members’ intrinsic motivation;

• Refine programming and skills development to offer model practices in youth workforce development among a high risk – but highly resilient and hopeful – group of youth;

• Work hand in hand with YJN’s Data and Evaluation team to develop key data elements to inform programming and evaluate outcomes;

• Maintain accurate and complete records of project participants and activities and participant outcomes through YJN agency wide database, Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) Ensure that program services are vibrant, effective, meaningful and relevant to youth

• Recruit, identify and build employer partners City-wide to develop and grow a pool of meaningful opportunity and pathways to employment and careers;

• Develop sustainable internship opportunities both within our own organization as well as through outside companies and agencies to guide, hire, retain young people

• Promote community relations efforts Citywide, targeting businesses and economic development strategies;

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, or related field (Master’s preferred).

• 4–6 years of experience in career coaching, youth development, or education.

• At least 2 years of supervisory or team leadership experience.

• Experience working with justice-impacted or system-involved youth strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of NYC education and workforce development systems, GED, CUNY/SUNY, and vocational training opportunities.

• Strong facilitation, coaching, and supervision skills.

• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.

• Commitment to restorative practices, equity, and youth empowerment.

Youth Justice Network is privileged to have a profoundly committed and caring staff – one which believes unconditionally in our 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 our mission and work, and who are committed to address the harms caused by mass incarceration.

Salary Range: $65,000-$68,000

Target start date: September 1, 2026

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