Title: YOUTH JUSTICE ADVOCATE
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
How to Apply:
Send your resume and cover letter to jo...@rocktothefuture.org 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.