Youth Engagement Specialist

Job Title

Youth Engagement Specialist

We are currently seeking a Youth Engagement Specialist for our youth initiative, Planning Alternatives & Creating Community (PACC) program under our Pretrial Services Supervised Released program. The PACC initiative at CASES is youth‑focused where our team primarily works with justice‑involved 16–27‑year‑old participants.
Flexibility, creativity, relatability and persistence are required. The Youth Engagement Specialist will engage with participants at the office and in the community, building meaningful relationships and helping them access services to open new opportunities.

Base pay: $58,350.00 per year.

Work hours:

Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm (full‑time 35 h per week).

Location:

4 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027.

Workplace flexibility:
Hybrid – 1 full day remote per week.

• Develop trusting and transformative relationships with pre‑trial participants, contacting youth 2–3 times per day.
• Assess life areas related to housing and other critical needs, leveraging support services to remove barriers and assist participants with independence and self‑sufficiency.
• Accompany participants to social support and community‑based services, as needed.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community providers and critical partners, requiring regular direct community engagement in the service area.
• Participate and facilitate office programming, attend trips and activities with PACC staff and participants.
• Assess and collaborate with participants and program colleagues to determine goals and areas of need.
• Effectively engage high‑risk and vulnerable participants who present with mental health symptoms, substance use concerns, complex trauma, and other challenges.
• Identify community barriers to returning to court or maintaining court‑mandated supervision, collaborating with the team.
• Serve as liaison with pre‑trial court services to confirm referrals and support mitigation and advocacy efforts.
• Report hazards or unsafe conditions to the appropriate facilities staff or supervisor, ensuring a safe working environment.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in human services with young adults (16–27 yr) experiencing substance use, mental health, complex trauma, and/or justice‑system involvement.
• Knowledge of community treatment, support services, and resources for youth.
• Knowledge of the criminal legal system, court processes, and alternatives to detention/incarceration services.
• Individuals with lived experience strongly encouraged to apply.

• Bilingual (strongly preferred).

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Vacation and Paid Time Off – starting at 25 days
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Retirement 403(b) competitive matching up to 6%
• Employee referral program

CASES is a proud equal opportunity employer. Employment is based solely on qualifications and competence, without regard to race, color, ethnicity or national origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status. We actively recruit individuals with prior involvement in the criminal legal system.