Youth Engagement Specialist

About the role

The Staten Island Justice Center (SIJC) is seeking a Youth Engagement Specialist to support as a Mentor in working with youth justice initiatives participants ages 13 to 18. This role reports to the Youth Justice Initiatives Program Manager.

Responsibilities

• Engage in one-on-one relationships with mentees and their families, including scheduling and facilitating individual mentorship meetings in participant's homes and in the community several times per week and scheduling and participating in family events and outings;
• Facilitate group programming including community engagement projects, group outings, weekly trauma informed group sessions, restorative justice circles, and workshops on topics related to positive youth development and skill-building, and leadership development;
• Carry out accurate and adequate case planning for mentees, including scheduling and participating in meetings related to mentees' well-being, as well as family team meetings, school meetings, meetings with external service providers, court appearances, and probation meetings, among others;
• Aid in monitoring youth compliance for mentees, including curfew monitoring, educational outreach, and weekly programming activities with probation, court mandates and disposition orders and maintain consistent communication with family and criminal court stakeholders such as lawyers, probation officers, and judges;
• Act as point person for participant’s support system—such as family members, neighborhood supports, and school staff— as needed;
• Utilize online databases to track participant activities and outcomes;
• Operate company vehicle in the community for community outreach and immediate client engagement and drive participants to referred services when needed;
• Help with loading and replenishment of materials needed in the vehicle;
• Provide coverage and support for other SIJC youth programming as needed;
• Participate in SIJC all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities;
• Attend SIJC events or community meetings after hours or on weekends;
• Perform other activities and duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma with 2-5 years of experience working with youth from marginalized communities and/or youth who have been involved in the juvenile or criminal system, or equivalent lived experience in a related area, preferably as a criminal justice practitioner;
• A valid driver's license is required;
• Strong knowledge of community resources in the North Shore of Staten Island is a plus;
• Ability to seek direction and advice when necessary and make independent decisions when possible;
• Good judgment, a trauma-informed approach, excellent communication, and organizational and multitasking abilities are a must for this role;
• A strong ability to balance participation in a collaborative work environment with independent work;
• Computer literacy and knowledge of the juvenile justice system preferred;
• The ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and be able to provide crisis management as needed;
• The candidate should be comfortable with technology and video platforms such as Zoom.

Position Type

This is a full-time, in-person position working 5 days per week. Candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule including evenings, holidays and weekends.

Position Location

Stertatun Island, New York.

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $52,000 - $59,900 and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• 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%.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.