Diversion Specialist

This role can be full-time or part-time, on a standard weekday schedule with flexibility for court dates, family meetings, and some evening and weekend hours. Based at our Santa Ana office with travel to courts, probation offices, schools, and family homes across Orange County. Pay is $23/hour.

ABOUT NEUTRAL GROUND

Neutral Ground is a Santa Ana based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to create healthier, safer communities most impacted by gang violence. We break cycles of violence, poverty, academic failure, and teen pregnancy through restorative practice, youth development, academic support, and the strengthening of meaningful relationships. We serve more than 600 young people in grades 1 through 12 across 18 school sites in Orange County and beyond, alongside community based programs including the Neutral Ground Boxing Club, Summer Night Lights, Re-Entry Services, and Nati's House.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Diversion Specialist works with young people who have been referred through probation, the courts, or school partners as an alternative to deeper involvement in the justice system. This person manages each participant's path from intake through completion. They are responsible for building a relationship with the participant, developing an individualized plan, coordinating with probation and the courts, and walking alongside the young person and their family until the referral is successfully closed.

The goal is to keep young people out of the system and connected to school, family, and community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct intake and assessment for young people referred through diversion pathways, including probation, court, and school referrals
• Develop an individualized service plan with each participant covering the terms of their diversion agreement, school engagement, family goals, and personal development
• Provide ongoing case management and mentorship through regular one-on-one meetings, maintaining consistent contact through completion
• Coordinate directly with Orange County Probation, court personnel, school staff, and referring partners on participant progress, requirements, and milestones
• Prepare and submit progress reports and completion documentation required by referring agencies, and attend court dates or probation meetings with participants as needed
• Engage families throughout the diversion period, including home visits as appropriate and connection to Neutral Ground parent programming
• Connect participants to services that support successful completion, including academic support, employment readiness, counseling referrals, Neutral Ground Boxing Club, and restorative circles
• Facilitate or co-facilitate restorative processes when a diversion plan includes repairing harm
• Document all case management interactions within 48 hours in Neutral Ground's data systems
• Track completion rates and outcomes for your caseload and participate in program reporting
• Participate in weekly team meetings and all required Neutral Ground trainings

QUALIFICATIONS

• Working knowledge of the juvenile justice system, including how probation, diversion agreements, and court processes work; direct experience with these systems, professional or lived, is a real asset in this role
• Experience supporting justice-impacted young people or returning citizens
• Ability to hold both accountability and care: this role helps young people meet real requirements without becoming another enforcement arm
• Strong follow-through and documentation habits; referring agencies depend on accurate, timely reporting
• Comfort communicating with probation officers, court staff, school administrators, and families, often in the same week
• Bilingual English and Spanish strongly preferred
• High school diploma or equivalent required; coursework or credentials in criminal justice, human services, social work, or a related field welcome but not required

REQUIREMENTS BEFORE HIRE

• Livescan background clearance (required for all hires)
• TB clearance where school site access is required
• Valid California driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance
• Completion of mandated reporter training upon hire; all Neutral Ground frontline staff are mandated reporters under California law

WHAT WE VALUE

Lived experience matters here. Many of our strongest team members grew up in the communities we serve or have direct experience with the systems our young people are working through. If that describes you, we want to hear from you. Formal credentials are welcome, but proximity, consistency, and the ability to build real relationships with young people come first.

Neutral Ground is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply, including people with lived experience of the justice system.