Outreach Worker, Save Our Streets South Bronx

Center for Justice Innovation • New York, NY

108d • $55,000 - $58,400

About The Position

The Bronx Community Justice Center, a program of the Center for Justice Innovation, works to create a safer, more equitable Bronx through community-driven safety initiatives, violence prevention, youth opportunity, and economic development efforts. Save Our Streets South Bronx is a replication of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention’s evidence-based Cure Violence program, a cutting-edge gun violence prevention model that aims to reduce and prevent shootings through the use of public health strategies. The Bronx Community Justice Center is seeking an Outreach Worker for the Save Our Streets South Bronx program. Reporting to the Outreach Worker Supervisor, the Outreach Worker will serve as a mentor and peer counselor to a caseload of 10-15 individuals most impacted by community violence, redirecting them toward positive attitude, behavior, and lifestyle changes.

Requirements

• A high school diploma.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience or the equivalent in a related area.
• Knowledge of mental health illness and understanding of psychosocial triggers, strengths and personal needs.
• Reside in or have an in-depth knowledge of Morrisania or Mott Haven.
• Experience working with at-risk youth and gang members.
• Knowledge of the street sets, crews, gangs, and or groups.
• Ability to walk 30 blocks or more on a regular basis.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Willingness to work in inclement weather.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Commitment to working towards positive community change.
• Interest in learning new skills and information.

Responsibilities

• Identify and form relationships with individuals who are at high risk of involvement in shootings and killings to help them rethink the impulse to act violently and redirect their lives in more positive directions.
• Build and maintain a caseload of participants, and develop and implement a personalized risk reduction plan with each participant.
• Work with community partners and the rest of the S.O.S. team to identify and diffuse 'hot spots' for shootings and violence.
• Intervene in local conflicts to try to prevent an outbreak of violence, and work to prevent retaliations when violence does occur.
• Provide clients with support and linkages to programs and opportunities in the community (e.g., job programs, GED, drug treatment, and mentoring).
• Conduct outreach to the community (individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with youth, residents, businesses, and community groups.
• Participate in organizing responses to shootings.
• Increase visibility when shootings/killings take place in the target area and surrounding target area.
• Keep supervisor informed of all relevant community activities.
• Document all work including shootings and other acts of violence prevented, case notes, referrals, contacts with participants, and changes in participant’s status as directed by the Outreach Worker Supervisor and Program Manager.
• Refer participants to programs that are a part of the New York City 'Crisis Management System' including therapeutic services, legal services, and employment services, as needed.
• Plan, attend and help facilitate community and participant events.
• Attend and participate in all mandatory staff meetings, trainings, workshops and other team meetings as required, which may include non-traditional business hours.
• Attend weekly supervision and keep the Outreach Worker Supervisor informed of all work-related activities.
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare with a national network.
• Free basic dental coverage.
• Vision insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Life insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA.
• Mental health care services like Talkspace and Ginger through healthcare plans.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees