Juvenile Detention Law Library Associate Job at Youth Justice Network in City of

Juvenile Detention Law Library Associate

Organization:

Youth Justice Network (YJN) was founded in 1990 to anchor, support and build capacity among young people released from jail in New York City. We break cycles of incarceration and promote an equitable justice system by providing young people with opportunities to grow, thrive, and lead. We leverage authentic relationships and local resources so that young people can forge their pathways to wellbeing and positive development.

Position Background and Description:

In partnership with the City’s Administration of Children's Services (ACS)/Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ), YJN operates Law Library Services for young people held in juvenile detention at Horizon Juvenile Center (Bronx) and Crossroads Juvenile Center (Brooklyn). The library is a resource for youth to access legal information and review their discovery with a law librarian. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of the effort to create a sustainable detention center law library.

YJN is seeking energetic candidates with an interest in youth justice and law to provide legal information and administrative support to the Youth Justice Library and facilitate young peoples’ understanding of their cases. This position requires the Library Associate to be based two to four days per week at Horizon and/or Crossroads, hours to be determined, a minimum of 1 day per week at the YJN office.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong commitment to legal and/or public service work and have an interest in working in a dynamic, social justice environment. The ideal candidate will have the ability to work independently with good judgment, be self-motivated and reliable, and have a strong interest in working in a multi-disciplinary setting. In addition, the ability to maintain the data needed including a summary of the type of requests and other relevant information in timely monthly reports for each facility is critical to the sustainability of the library.

This position will work closely with the Director of Law Library Services and ACS staff to facilitate logistics and align with the protocols in each detention facility.

Responsibilities:

1. Support and provide direct legal information services to adolescents in Horizon and/or Crossroads facilities whose developmental capacity is not aligned with their capacity to understand the weight and consequences of an adult criminal justice system where most of their cases are heard.
2. Serve as the point of contact for youth for Law Library Services in the detention facilities.
3. Partner with DYFJ staff at the Detention Facilities to ensure that young people know about the availability of law library services, beginning at admission.
4. Establish a consistent schedule at the detention facility so young people know when they can access Law Library Services.
5. Have basic knowledge and the requisite skills needed to perform legal and other research, particularly around Criminal Procedure and Penal Law to ensure that information given to young people is correct and up to date.
6. Engage with young people in the detention facilities to provide information that supports them in understanding their cases ranging from rudimentary needs such as how to contact their attorney, the court process, basic criminal justice terminology, reading and understanding Discovery or other relevant case matters, sentencing law, the collateral consequences of a conviction, the distinction between Youthful Offender, Juvenile Offender, and Juvenile Delinquency, the difference between parole and probation, sentencing guidelines and the many other issues that young people may have questions about.
7. Meet weekly with the Director of Law Library Services.
8. Capture the information required for the data system including the nature of requests and responses, to evaluate satisfaction of the program.
9. A firm understanding of the distinction between legal information and legal advice.
10. Other duties and tasks as needed and determined by the Director of Library Services.

Requirements:

Youth Justice Network is privileged to have a profoundly committed and caring staff- one that believes unconditionally in our youth members’ ability to do right and do well. We take our work very seriously, but we strive to make time for joy and self-care. We look for staff from all walks of life who have integrity, humor, and a strong work ethic who are passionate about young people and committed to addressing the harms caused by incarceration.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s or commensurate experience required.
2. One to two years’ experience working with youth - criminal justice system experience preferred.
3. Experience working in or going to custodial settings to meet with clients preferred.
4. Strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
5. Ability to organize and prioritize efficiently.
6. Strong writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.
7. Professional presence.
8. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and databases.
9. Flexibility and ability to prioritize requests.
10. Sense of humor a plus.

Benefits: 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: $48,000 to $52,000

Please send a resume and cover letter to: Laurie Parise, Director Law Library Services, lparise@youthjustice.org, careers@youthjustice.org