Youth Justice Advocate: Rock to the Future

Bryn Mawr College; Brynmawr; On-site; USD 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization is seeking a Youth Justice Advocate to support justice-involved youth in Philadelphia. This role focuses on mentoring, connecting youth with resources, and collaborating with community partners to enhance service delivery. The position requires a strong commitment to youth development and the ability to relate to at-risk populations.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off and paid holidays

403b retirement fund

Paid professional development opportunities

Life insurance

Qualifications

• Similar lived experiences to youth served, particularly those with incarceration history.
• Prior experience in violence prevention and intervention.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the point person for justice-involved youth enrolled in the program.
• Manage referrals to connect youth in intervention and diversion to program locations.
• Mentor justice-involved youth and support their transition to community programs.

Skills

Communication

Mentoring

Understanding of criminal justice systems

Violence prevention

Job description

Schedule:40 Hours/Week, Primarily 10:30am – 6:30pm Monday – Friday, in addition to occasional evenings and weekends for events and partnership meetings.

Compensation:Full-time, exempt position with compensation of $58,000 with medical, dental, and vision insurance, with generous paid time off and paid holidays, a 403b retirement fund, life insurance, and paid professional development opportunities.

Job Reports to:Director of Programs

Start Date:February 2025

About Rock to the Future:

Rock to the Future supports positive youth development and economic empowerment through free, student-driven music programs for Philadelphia youth. We envision a future where all youth in Philadelphia will have access to the life-changing benefits of our transformative music programs. Rock to the Future’s Youth Justice Advocate will support justice-involved youth who are in intervention, diversion, or are currently or formerly incarcerated.

This position is primarily in-person directly at our locations in North, Northwest, West, and Southwest Philadelphia and community events throughout the city. Some administrative work may be completed remotely.

About the Position:

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the point person within Rock to the Future for youth enrolled in the program who are also in juvenile justice intervention or diversion programs, or are currently or formerly incarcerated
• Manage referrals from city and community agencies to connect young people in intervention and diversion to our community locations
• Mentor justice-involved youth including those currently incarcerated and support their transition to our community-based programs upon release
• Connect justice-involved youth with critical resources and opportunities to support housing, food insecurity, mental and physical health, employment, mentorship, and education needs
• Track and provide key reporting metrics to the Director of Programs and other required paperwork and reporting needs for partnerships
• Build relationships with city agencies and community partners to strengthen referral network
• Participate in local events and anti-violence coalitions to ensure our work uplifts and supports and a cohesive, city-wide approach to combating violence
• Attend annual student and organization events, monthly team trainings, and weekly team meetings

Qualifications:

• Similar lived experiences to the youth we serve, particularly those experiencing incarceration, or who are participants in intervention or reentry programs
• Prior experience in violence prevention and intervention; familiarity with nationally-recognized violence prevention models and local violence prevention efforts and groups
• Understanding of educational, child welfare, and criminal justice systems and the knowledge and skills to navigate these systems successfully
• Be a credible messenger and connect with youth who are justice-involved or at-risk of being justice-involved
• The ability and willingness to work with youth, especially those who are incarcerated or in intervention programs
• Comfortability and familiarity with key neighborhoods that Rock to the Future serves, including Kensington, Hunting Park, Germantown, North, South, and West Philadelphia
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

To Apply

How to Apply:

Send your resume and cover letter [e-mail] and we will follow up with qualified candidates to schedule an interview. We aim to recruit a diverse pool of candidates, particularly individuals of color and individuals who have direct experience with the justice system and/or incarceration.

Rock to the Future provides equal employment opportunities(EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender,sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.