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