Description

Position Title: Diversion Coordinator 

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Status: Exempt

Reports to: Diversion Program Director

Family Services of the Merrimack Valley is seeking a full time (40 hours/week) Diversion Coordinator for the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program (MYDP). The MYDP is part of the Department of Youth Service’s (DYS) Diversion Learning Lab, which has piloted a diversion model that can be made available statewide. As part of that initiative, Family Services’ Diversion Coordinator will work closely with state-level DYS officials as well as other pilot sites to implement case management and positive youth development activities for young people who have committed low-level offenses and may be directed away from more formal juvenile justice system involvement. 

The Diversion Coordinator will be responsible for, not only direct service implementation, but ensuring fidelity of the program model through quality assurance, data collection, analysis and reporting, partnership development, and project evaluation. The Diversion Coordinator will build professional relationships and rapport with each of these groups. The Diversion Coordinator will develop and foster positive relationships with youth and adolescents, families, members of the juvenile justice system (court personnel, law enforcement, probation) as well as leadership at DYS and other relevant state agencies. Applicants should be highly motivated, critical thinkers who are able to adapt to evolving circumstances and who are passionate about the goals of the diversion program. 

The Massachusetts Diversion Program aims to: 

1. Reduce the likelihood of future offending by youth in the program and increase public safety 

2. Support positive youth development

3. Promote and ensure equity in the process

4. Hold youth responsible for their actions 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Meet with youth referred to the diversion program and their families and explain the diversion process and expectation.
• Gather information to effectively craft an individualized diversion agreement for each youth by conducting risk/need assessments, interviewing youth, families, victims, and referrers, and reading police, school and other necessary agencies’ reports.
• Match youth to appropriate interventions for their case plan and develop the diversion agreement based on that case plan.
• Monitor the progress of youth throughout the diversion process through ongoing contact with youth at a pre-determined frequency through visits, phone calls, text messages, or other approved methods, as well as regular contact with other partners.
• Meet with youth at a pre-determined frequency in the community or at other approved locations.
• Communicate with other system stakeholders and service providers across the communities served.
• Build on community connections and establish partnerships for future programming.
• Engage youth throughout case planning and communicate expectations at each stage of diversion. 
• Ability to handle confidential information. 
• Attend court hearings and other meetings relevant to youth needs.
• Distribute, collect and input data on Diversion cases for purposes of evaluation.
• Keep documentation of progress in a secure area only accessible by diversion staff. 
• Participate in trainings and other professional development.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or related field OR Associates degree with 2 years direct experience in preferred qualifications. 
• Demonstrated experience working with at-risk youth.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and communities.
• Knowledge of community groups, events and connections in geographic area Diversion Coordinator will be working in. 
• Ability to adapt, think critically and problem solve in high stress environments. 
• Ability to collaborate as well as work independently.
• Ability to maintain relationships with youth, their families, service providers, diversion referrers and other partners.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed based on program needs.
• Understands the value of repairing harm caused by individuals or society, and engaging individuals and community in the process.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• CORI check will be conducted after an offer of employment is extended but prior to employment commencement, but may not be automatically disqualifying.
• Bilingual proficiency in English/Spanish in both verbal and written forms is strongly preferred. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

· Lived or work experience in child welfare or juvenile justice agencies. 

· Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field.

· Ethic of service, including volunteering experience.

· Access to reliable, consistent transportation to attend meetings and events in the community.

· Knowledge of/ experience in restorative justice practices Knowledge of/ experience in screening/assessment tools, case planning and evidence-based practices.

ABOUT FAMILY SERVICES OF THE MERRIMACK VALLEY 

Family Services is a non-profit, social service organization located in Lawrence, MA. The organization helps more than 7,000 people in the Merrimack Valley each year through 20 programs focused on youth development, parent education and emotional health. All of its services are infused with a sense of hope and possibility and enable individuals to thrive in their family, community, workplace, and school. For more information, please visit www.FSMV.org. FSMV is an equal opportunity employer.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

· This is a 40 hour per week, exempt benefited position with a pay range of $57,000 - $60,000 annually, commensurate upon experience. 

· Benefits include competitive health and dental insurances as well as fully paid life and long-term disability insurances along with training and professional development opportunities.

· A generous time off polity for employees working 30 hours or more per week including 4 weeks of paid Earned Time Off as well as 13 paid holidays per year!