JPD - Supervising Family Navigator

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide reflective, strengths-based supervision to Family Navigators through regular individual and group supervisory conferences.
• Coach staff using trauma-informed, healing-centered practices that acknowledge secondary trauma, emotional labor, and the value of lived experience.
• Facilitate supervision meetings that promote learning, accountability, and psychological safety.
• Identify professional development needs and support growth plans aligned with individual strengths and program goals.
• Provide guidance and coaching to help Family Navigators successfully transition lived experience into a professional role within a court-based environment, including expectations related to communication, documentation, collaboration, and professional conduct.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Family Navigator program, ensuring consistency and fidelity to the program’s mission.
• Review case documentation, progress notes, and data entry to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and trauma-responsive language.
• Collaborate with department leadership to assess program outcomes, identify trends, and continuously improve service quality and delivery.
• Provide guidance and consultation on complex family engagement situations, including conflict resolution, safety considerations, and system navigation.
• Ensure coverage and staffing needs are met within a flexible, rotating schedule environment.
• Strengthen and sustain partnerships with community-based organizations, schools, behavioral health providers, and advocacy groups across Cook County.
• Represent the Family Navigator program in interagency meetings, community events, and collaborative initiatives.
• Support Navigators in conducting community-based visits that prioritize safety, dignity, and trust.
• Partner with probation leadership, Juvenile Probation Officers, and court stakeholders to improve coordination, communication, and family engagement.
• Advocate for family and community perspectives in system meetings, program planning, and collaborative initiatives.
• Support staff in accessing internal resources, peer support, and wellness strategies.
• Address staff performance concerns through coaching, supervision, and corrective guidance in accordance with departmental policy.
• Ensure compliance with Department policies, timekeeping requirements, and Code of Conduct.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and training of Family Navigators.
• Attend required supervisory, unit, division, and department meetings.
• Support implementation of departmental initiatives and program improvements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of trauma-informed, healing-centered, and culturally responsive practices when working with justice-impacted youth, families, and staff.
• Skill in providing reflective supervision, coaching, and mentorship that supports professional growth, accountability, and emotional wellness.
• Ability to integrate lived experience perspectives into leadership, guidance, and advocacy in a way that supports authentic engagement with families while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Knowledge of community resources and service systems across Cook County that support youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system.
• Skill in building collaborative partnerships with community organizations, probation staff, and court stakeholders to improve family engagement and service coordination.
• Ability to review documentation, monitor program operations, and ensure quality, accuracy, and trauma-responsive language in case records and data systems.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, address complex family or system challenges, and support staff working in flexible and community-based environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations and multidisciplinary teams.
• Comfort with technology and case management systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s degree preferred).
• Experience coaching or mentoring individuals transitioning into professional roles, including supporting professional boundaries, workplace expectations, and skill development is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with justice-impacted youth and families.
• Personal lived experience as a parent, caregiver, or primary support person of a youth involved in the Cook County Juvenile Justice system. Professional or volunteer experience alone does not satisfy this requirement.
• Prior experience in supervision, coaching, or team leadership (formal or informal).
• Valid Driver’s License/proof of insurance or the ability to utilize other modes of transportation for travel within Cook County.
• Ability to supervise staff working flexible, rotating schedules.
• Ability to pass required background checks (criminal history does not automatically exclude applicants).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual Spanish/English.