LAW LIBRARY SENIOR ASSOCIATE

HOURS: FULL-TIME (40 HOURS/WEEK)

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR, LAW LIBRARY SERVICES

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A

LOCATION: YOUTH JUSTICE NETWORK HARLEM OFFICE, CROSSROADS & HORIZON DETENTION CENTERS

Organization Summary

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. Through a combination of individualized advocacy, mentorship and services, our network of advocates develops relationships with young people whose lives intersect with the justice system. We leverage authentic relationships and local resources so that young people can forge their pathways to wellbeing and positive development.

Position Summary: In partnership with the City’s ACS/Division of Youth and Family Justice, YJN operates Law Library Services for young people held in 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 Crossroads, hours to be determined, and a minimum of 1 day per week at the YJN Harlem 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 mature judgment, be self-motivated and reliable, and have a strong interest in working in a juvenile detention center setting. 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.

Position Key Responsibilities:

Support and provide direct legal information services to adolescents in Crossroads and Horizon Juvenile Detention Centers, 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.

• Have experience and/or a deep understanding of how to support youth in a detention center and have a level of comfort in spending a minimum of 12 hours per week in a facility.
• Serve as the point of contact for youth for Law Library Services in the detention facilities.
• Partner with DYFJ staff at the Detention Facilities to ensure that young people can rely on accessing law library services, beginning at admission.
• Establish a consistent schedule at the detention facility so young people know when they can access Law Library Services.
• Maintain a consistent line of communication with legal representation and attorney offices.
• Have basic knowledge and the requisite skills needed to engage in research, particularly around Criminal Procedure and Penal Law to ensure that information given to young people is correct and up to date.
• Provide a range of 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 to other relevant case matters and sentencing law.
• Meet weekly with the Director of Law Library Services.
• Capture the information required for the data system including the nature of requests and responses, to evaluate satisfaction of the program.
• A firm understanding of the distinction between legal information and legal advice.
• Other duties and tasks as needed and determined by the Director of Library Services.
• 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

Qualifications:

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

Benefits include a 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.

Start Date: Immediate

Salary Range: $50k to $55k