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