Outreach Worker (SNUG)

Family Services Inc. • Poughkeepsie, NY

9d • $29 • Onsite

About The Position

The Outreach Worker in Family Services SNUG program will work with community residents, businesses, community-based organizations, and law enforcement to implement SNUG, a strategic public health strategy to reduce and prevent shootings/killings in the City of Poughkeepsie. The Outreach Worker is central to the success of this initiative and is instrumental in helping to facilitate positive behavior change amongst high-risk individuals and groups. The Outreach Worker will work with the SNUG Outreach Worker Supervisor and coordinate mediation efforts in the target area.

Requirements

• Must be out of prison for at least 18 months, have no pending charges and may not have any convictions for sex offenses.
• If an applicant is on probation or parole, the prospective Outreach Worker must get clearance from his/her probation or parole officer before being hired.
• This position requires someone to know the City of Poughkeepsie extensively and as a result the candidate must reside in the City of Poughkeepsie.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services (sociology, social work, etc.) or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work irregular/flexible hours
• Candidate must have experience working with vulnerable populations
• Cultural competence and ability to relate to a wide variety of audiences.
• Community Organizing abilities.
• Crisis Management and trauma-informed practices.
• Compassion and empathy for participants’ needs and possess strong advocacy skills.
• Knowledge of public, private and community agencies that may be utilized to serve participants of the SNUG program.
• Aptitude for completing administrative tasks and ‘out of the box’ thinking and resourcefulness.
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible hours and can travel to different sites and attend community meetings as scheduled.
• Must be reachable outside of office hours if needed.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Strong computer skills, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite.
• Must be able to attend a week long, overnight training at the start of employment. Training location requires travel to other areas of NY state.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without work sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Plan the day-to-day and week-to-week activities with and for the outreach staff.
• Lead and facilitate daily briefings/debriefings for staff.
• Complete all administrative tasks as assigned on a timely basis.
• Maintain active and ongoing communication with supervisor.
• Develop and maintain community connections.
• Work to intervene in circumstances in which violence is likely, including potential retaliation.
• Gather information about why shootings have occurred within the target area in the City of Poughkeepsie.
• Mediate conflicts that could result in escalation and/or violence.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with program funder.
• Meet with SNUG participants as prescribed by the SNUG workplan.
• Mobilize the community to engage in activities that will help change thinking and norms, so that shooting and killing is no longer an acceptable behavior.
• Create alternatives for those currently at highest risk for shooting someone or being shot.
• Canvas the target area within the City of Poughkeepsie.
• Submit appropriately detailed case notes in a timely manner.
• Assist in planning and administration of Community Events and SNUG Participant Events monthly.
• Develop relationships with local service providers and program partners, faith leaders, and community stakeholders to identify and access resources.
• Conduct outreach to the community to build strong relationships with youth, residents, and community groups.
• Participate in ongoing training, including program funder mandated trainings.
• Assist with fundraisers and special events (some of these may be outside agency hours of operation).
• Other duties as assigned based upon needs of the program.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5%.
• Generous paid vacation, holiday, sick and personal time package (2 weeks’ vacation to start, 13 paid holidays per year, 12 sick days per year and 4 personal days per year).
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Access to Family Services’ Compassionate Leave Program where employees can donate/receive unused time off.
• Group term life and long-term disability insurance.
• Supplemental life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D), supplemental insurance through Aflac.
• Pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level