A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Safety strengthens the coordination of the Office of Violence Prevention, Office of Criminal Justice, Office of Reentry Partnerships, and Town Watch Integrated Services into a community-centric dynamic unit. The office is focused on uplifting solutions to reduce violence, enhance the bridge between neighborhoods and City government, as well as amplifies support for returning citizens and families impacted by the criminal justice system, developing, and implementing reforms in an equitable fashion informed by the decades of systemic oppression, racism, and poverty.

Within the Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Safety, the Office of Criminal Justice (OCJ) advances the Kenney administration’s goals of criminal justice reform by developing partnerships between City agencies, criminal justice partners, nonprofit organizations, and community members. OCJ serves as the mayor’s appointee to Philadelphia County’s Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) and is the point of contact for various local, state, and federal justice partners.

The Juvenile Assessment Center/Youth Arrest Reform Project is a collaborative project designed to improve outcomes for arrested youth by providing trauma-informed support to youth and families immediately after a child is arrested.  The program will reduce the trauma that youth and families experience during the arrest process with the addition of trauma-informed staff who can explain the arrest process, answer questions, and assist arrested youth and their families in accessing community-based services.

The Youth Support Partners (YSP) will be the primary point of contact for arrested youth and their families during the booking process immediately after arrest. Youth Support Partners will be embedded into Philadelphia Police Department Divisions that receive arrested youth, and will provide support and information to youth and families immediately after arrest.  The YSPs will also screen cases for diversion away from formal prosecution, assess youth and family needs, and assist the child and family in linking to services in the community.

The Youth Support Partner (YSP) is an adult who was personally involved in the juvenile justice system as a youth, parent, or family member, allowing them to have a unique understanding of the arrested youth and families they serve. The YSP assists arrested youth and their families in the time immediately following an arrest but providing vital information, support and connection to community services. The YSPs will be embedded in a Philadelphia Police Division that holds arrested youth in custody during the initial arrest and booking process, and will serve as the main point of contact for youth and families.  The YSP will also work with juvenile probation intake officers to ensure that intake officers have complete information to make initial decisions about whether a child is held in detention or released to family after arrest, and will assist families with accessing transportation to pick up the arrested child.  The YSP will assist with screening cases for diversion to services rather than to court, and will help youth and families connect to voluntary services in their community.

The YSP will be supervised by a Masters Level Social Worker and will receive training on adolescent development, the impact of trauma on youth, trauma informed practices, and de-escalation. 

Essential Functions

• Serve as the main point of contact for arrested youth and guardians during the booking process immediately after arrest.
• Collect medical and social history information required to properly assess the needs of the youth and family.
• Conduct screenings and assessments to assist with diversion and service referrals.
• Communicate with family members of arrested youth, answer questions, and assist with transportation support as needed.
• Remain updated and current on community resources.
• Coordinate with intake probation to provide information relevant to decisions to release the child to guardians or hold in detention following arrest.
• Refer eligible youth to pre-booking diversion staff.
• Assist families and youth in making appointments and connecting to voluntary community-based services.
• Offer suggestions and develop solutions to help promote effective and efficient work processes and innovative programs.  Identify areas where additional services are needed in communities.
• Maintain high levels of advocacy and member confidentiality.
• Other related tasks as needed. 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop, manage and maintain relationships with others. 
• Ability to work with law enforcement and juvenile probation as an advocate for youth.
• Ability to engage others through continued collaboration
• Ability to work with people in high stress situations.
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent documentation skills
• Able to organize and manage time independently
• Ability to identify strengths and culture of each youth and share with their team
• Ability to work in the evening or on the weekend as needed to meet the needs of the youth
• Knowledge of community and natural supports which provide adolescents and families with opportunities to succeed
• Fluency in English required; Spanish or other threshold language preferred.

• Minimum Education: Associates Degree in behavioral health, case management, certified peer health worker/certified peer specialist or similar
•  License/Certification:

           ○ Valid Clearances including Criminal Background, Child Abuse and FBI must be received prior to start date

•  Individual with lived experience (personal experience) with the juvenile justice system.
• General understanding of resources within the Philadelphia recovery system

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000 

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. 

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx