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