Youth Coach, Alternative to Detention

Job Description

Job Description

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we’ve worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

1. Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
2. Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and
3. Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond.

Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide.
Learn more about our work at

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Queens Community Justice Center (Justice Center) works to create a safer, more equitable Queens through community-driven safety initiatives, alternative justice strategies, violence prevention, economic development, community healing, and youth opportunity.

The Queens Community Justice Center is seeking a Youth Coach for its QUEST (Queens Engagement Strategies for Teens) alternative-to-detention (ATD) program. Reporting to the Program Coordinator, the Youth Coach supports participants enrolled in the Alternative to Detention program and will develop and implement programming to support social emotional learning for all participants. The Youth Coach will be responsible for tracking school attendance, curfew compliance and court attendance of all youth enrolled in the program, provide programming for youth during after-school hours, and will work with stakeholders and staff to ensure effective delivery of services to participants and their families. 

• Work with a caseload of youth (age 12-17), which includes weekly case management, coaching, crisis response, coordination of care, and referral services;
• Develop individualized action plans and aftercare plans with participants;
• Develop, facilitate, implement, and coordinate daily after-school programming for all youth enrolled in the QUEST program;
• Facilitate psychoeducational group workshops as part of after-school programming;
• Collaborate with Family Court practitioners as part of ongoing case management duties;
• Identify program participants’ strengths and individual interests;
• Collaborate in all service planning for youth;
• Refer families to appropriate services and resources and respond with innovative solutions when challenges present;
• Conduct curfew monitoring calls;
• Obtain school attendance records;
• Provide educational support and advocacy for participants;
• Maintain records of identified participants’ contacts to produce regularly scheduled reports;
• Prepare court reports;
• Participate in field work to support youth, as needed;
• Represent QUEST ATD and support youth during scheduled court hearings as needed;
• Participate in other QCJC programming and events, including community and other partner meetings, as needed; and
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed. 

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field or a High School diploma (or higher) and at least 3-4 years of experience in youth development work preferably within the juvenile justice system;
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred;
• Excellent written and verbal communication and computer skills required; and
• Candidate must be able to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with youth, families, multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community.

Position Type: Full-Time 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, some late evenings and weekends as needed.

Position Location:  Queens, NY.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $28.57 - $30.31 per hour, annually equivalent to $52,000 - $55,169 based on a 35-hour work week and is commensurate with experience. 

Benefits: 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%.

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our goal is to create a supportive and respectful environment where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and included.

At this time, the Center is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Candidates are expected to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the hiring process. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of material facts may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of an offer, or termination of employment, regardless of when discovered.

In compliance with federal law, all hires must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment verification form upon hire. Please refer to the job posting for relevant contact information. If contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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