PROGRAM ASSISTANT

HOURS: Full-Time (40 hours/week)

REPORTS TO: Associate Executive Director of Programs and Professional Development

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

LOCATION: Brooklyn and Bronx; regular travel between program sites and partner locations

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 Assistant provides administrative, programmatic, and participant-support services

to help ensure the successful delivery of the organization's education and workforce development

programs. The Program Assistant will work closely with the Associate Executive Director of

Programs & Professional Development to manage staff, community partners, employers. and

participants to coordinate activities, maintain accurate records, support program events and

workshops, and assist participants in accessing educational and employment opportunities.

Assisting Programs 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 Associate Executive Director of Programs & Professional Development 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.

Partnership and Event Support

• Serve as a reliable day-to-day contact for funders, staff and subcontractors.
• Schedule partner meetings, prepare agendas and materials, document decisions, and monitor follow-up commitments.
• Gather participant and partner feedback and share emerging needs and opportunities with the staff.

REQUIREMENTS

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 2 years of experience coordinating youth development, education, workforce development, reentry, or community-based programs.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Commitment to youth development, education, workforce development, and helping participants
• Ability to exercise professional judgment, flexibility, and problem-solving skills in a fast paced program environment.

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

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.

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.

Salary Range: $60,000-$70,000

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