Juvenile Justice Oversight Director

About This Role

The DC Office of the Ombudsperson for Children (OFC) is seeking a Juvenile Justice Oversight Director to provide independent monitoring, data analysis, and reporting on Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) facilities and services, improving systemic outcomes, safety, and service access for youth in DYRS care and custody. The role conducts facility site visits, investigates complaints, tracks statutory and court-ordered compliance, and reports to the OFC Ombudsperson with responsibility to the D.C. Council. This is a hybrid role in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent monitoring, data analysis, and reporting on DYRS facilities and services to improve systemic outcomes, safety, and service access for youth
• Conduct regular announced and unannounced facility site visits (YSC, NBYDC, and other local and out-of-area facilities); evaluate conditions and operations against juvenile-justice best practices
• Receive, log, and investigate complaints about facility conditions and service delivery, including allegations of policy or legal violations affecting youth safety
• Identify systemic themes and reforms across investigations
• Track DYRS adherence to the ROAD Act (2024) and progress on Jerry M Work Plan goals and indicators
• Investigate and report on systemic issues (needs assessments, service planning); consult with District agencies on structural or service-delivery improvements
• Track, monitor, and verify DYRS corrective actions; prepare quarterly performance reports and corrective-recommendation documents and format approved reports for public posting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level degree in juvenile justice, social work, or a related field appropriate to the position (criminal justice, case management, or facilities management experience may apply)
• Advanced, comprehensive knowledge of juvenile-justice policies and procedures and Federal and District legislation
• Experience conducting facility assessments and complaint investigations and reaching neutral, objective conclusions
• Ability to prepare and present recommendations on complex, highly sensitive issues based on analysis and evaluation
• Strong oral and written communication with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with all legal requirements
• Able to work hybrid in Washington, DC with regular onsite reporting and facility site visits

Required Skills

• Independent oversight and monitoring of youth/juvenile-justice facilities and services
• Complaint intake, logging, and investigation, reaching neutral and objective conclusions
• Facility assessment and evaluation against juvenile-justice best practices
• Systemic review and compliance tracking (statutory and court-ordered requirements, corrective actions)
• Analytical report writing and presentation of recommendations on complex, sensitive issues
• Stakeholder communication and interagency coordination, with strict confidentiality
• *Domain knowledge:* juvenile-justice policy and Federal/District legislation; DYRS oversight; the ROAD Act and Jerry M Work Plan context