Performance-based Standards Coach

<h2><strong>About the Center for Improving Youth Justice</strong></h2><p>The Center for Improving Youth Justice (CIYJ) is committed to transforming the juvenile justice system through evidence-based practices, coaching, and technical assistance. We partner with jurisdictions, agencies, and youth-serving organizations to implement reforms that improve outcomes for justice-involved youth and their communities.</p><h2><strong>Position Overview</strong></h2><p>The Performance-based Standards (PbS) Coach serves as a trusted advisor and ambassador to participating jurisdictions, supporting the successful implementation and integration of the PbS continuous improvement model into daily facility operations.</p><p>This role brings deep, career-long expertise in juvenile justice—particularly within secure care—and applies that experience to guide agencies in improving conditions of confinement, strengthening staff practices, and building sustainable, data-driven systems for long-term improvement. Coaches partner closely with facility and agency leadership to translate PbS data into actionable strategies that drive better outcomes for youth and staff.</p><h2><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></h2><h3><strong>Coaching & Technical Assistance</strong></h3><ul><li>Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor to assigned jurisdictions and facilities</li><li>Provide ongoing coaching, guidance, and technical assistance to support effective use of PbS</li><li>Conduct regular check-ins, site visits, and trainings to reinforce implementation and continuous improvement practices</li><li>Help jurisdictions interpret PbS data and translate findings into actionable improvement plans </li></ul><h3><strong>Partnership & Relationship Building</strong></h3><ul><li>Build strong, collaborative relationships with facility staff, leadership, and agency partners</li><li>Serve as a “goodwill ambassador,” fostering trust through active listening, credibility, and shared problem-solving</li><li>Create a supportive environment where staff feel comfortable discussing challenges and opportunities</li><li>Recognize and elevate effective practices across sites to promote shared learning</li></ul><h3><strong>Continuous Improvement & Field Support</strong></h3><ul><li>Guide jurisdictions in embedding PbS into daily operations as a sustainable, self-driven improvement model</li><li>Identify strengths and progress, while constructively addressing areas for improvement using data and experience</li><li>Facilitate learning conversations focused on “what’s working, what’s not, and why”</li><li>Share proven strategies, tools, and practices from across the PbS network</li></ul><h3><strong>Communication & Feedback</strong></h3><ul><li>Provide clear, constructive, and confidential feedback to site and agency leadership</li><li>Serve as a critical “listening post” to elevate field insights and emerging needs</li><li>Document and share success stories and effective practices that can benefit other jurisdictions</li><li>Contribute to internal team discussions to strengthen coaching approaches and service delivery</li></ul><h3><strong>Work Cycle & Travel Expectations</strong></h3><ul><li>PbS operates on a biannual data collection cycle, with major collection periods in April and October</li><li>Coaches are expected to provide increased, responsive support to assigned sites during the reporting and finalization periods that follow (primarily May and November)</li><li>This includes helping sites complete data entry, interpret results, and prepare for improvement planning</li><li>Outside of these peak periods, Coaches are expected to conduct on-site visits and in-person technical assistance, typically scheduled during summer and winter months between data cycles</li><li>Travel is a regular and expected part of the role and varies based on assigned jurisdictions</li></ul> <h2><strong>Qualifications</strong></h2><h3><strong>Required</strong></h3><ul><li>Extensive, senior-level experience in juvenile justice, including leadership within secure facilities</li><li>Demonstrated experience managing operations at the facility and/or agency level</li><li>Deep understanding of conditions of confinement, youth development, and system improvement efforts</li><li>Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders</li><li>Ability to analyze data and guide organizations in using data to drive decision-making</li></ul><h3><strong>Preferred</strong></h3><ul><li>Experience working across multiple jurisdictions or systems</li><li>Background in performance measurement, quality assurance, or continuous improvement models</li><li>Familiarity with PbS or similar data-driven reform initiatives</li><li>Experience providing coaching, training, or technical assistance to agencies</li></ul>