Coordinator, Youth Justice Mentoring

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 www.innovatingjustice.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Operating within the Bronx criminal courthouse, Bronx Community Solutions (BCS) is a project of the Center that provides meaningful early diversion, pre-plea and post-conviction sentencing options to participants, in lieu of traditional outcomes. By participating in one of BCS’ programs, participants are connected to an array of onsite staff, including social workers, case managers, and group facilitators, with the goal of addressing underlying social service needs and connecting participants to an array of community-based organizations, using the arrest as a window of opportunity to change the direction of an individual’s life and avoid unnecessary incarceration.  

Bronx Community Solutions (BCS) is seeking a Youth Justice Mentoring Coordinator. Reporting to the Clinical Supervisor, the Coordinator will focus on working with youth and emerging adults ages 16-24 who have been referred by stakeholders in the justice system to provide mentoring support and case management, while building positive, trusting relationships. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of peer group dynamics and the ability to foster a positive and supportive group culture.  This role is responsible for developing a sense of community through group activities, workshops, community outreach, resource building, and individualized mentoring or coaching. The Coordinator will play an integral role in facilitating various curriculums around youth engagement, leading both individual and group mentoring sessions, and implementing effective engagement strategies to promote participant compliance and growth. The successful candidate will demonstrate empathy, professionalism, and the ability to communicate program policies and expectations in a way that promotes understanding and trust among youth participants. 

• Apply mentoring and coaching practices to develop life skills, strengthen self-awareness, process social pressures, and promote engagement in voluntary services; 
• Help to bridge engagement to the rest of the ATI team by being able to identify, share and discuss multiple frameworks for understanding their participant life experiences; 
• Provide participants with assistance in identifying any barriers to successful completion of mandated services and developing community supports to help them overcome any barriers; 
• Utilize and teach problem solving and healthy decision-making techniques; 
• Recruit and coordinate with outside partner organizations that can provide mentor/coaching services; 
• Help youth and families navigate the criminal justice system as it relates to court appearances, case advocacy and program requirements; 
• Monitor and report on engagement to all court stakeholders, and work with stakeholders to facilitate improved mandate compliance as needed; 
• Assist court-based staff with the case management of longer-term cases, which may involve individuals participating in drug treatment, anger management treatment, or other long-term monitoring; 
• Conduct follow-up for program referral and track outcomes; 
• Collaborate with clinical staff to ensure that the needs of the clients are met; 
• Participate in individual and group supervision with the Clinical Supervisor and clinic staff; 
• Participate in staff meetings and staff development programs where appropriate; 
• Provide voluntary referrals to community-based services for youth prosocial engagements as needed; 
• Communicate with service providers to facilitate, follow-up and assist participants with voluntary service referrals; 
• Complete all necessary documentation and input data into computer database; and
• Additional tasks as necessary.

Qualifications:   

• Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 2-3 years of experience working in a social service setting is required;
• Experience working in a court or criminal justice setting strongly preferred;
• Experience working with youth or emerging adult populations is strongly preferred; 
• Knowledge of and connection to Bronx neighborhoods preferred; 
• Experience working with justice-involved individuals preferred; 
• Experience working with clients with substance abuse and mental health diagnoses preferred; 
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) is strongly preferred; 
• Skilled communicator able to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community; 
• Self-starter who can be efficient within a fast-paced environment; 
• Excellent writing skills plus proficiency in basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite, and previous database experience; and
• Must be detailed-oriented with great time management and organizational skills. 

Position Type: Full-time in person role working Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Position Location: Bronx, New York, with occasional travel to New Rochelle project site. 

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $30.22 - $39.56 per hour, annually equivalent to $55,000 - $72,000 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.