Violence Interrupter

Center for Justice Innovation • New York, NY

88d • $52,000 - $57,500

About The Position

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we’ve worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies: Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges; Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond. Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide. One of the Center’s demonstration projects is Neighbors in Action, formerly known as the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center. Neighbors in Action provides anti-violence programs, youth programs, and resource links to community residents. Its mission is to encourage communication and understanding, prevent future conflicts, and help foster stronger, healthier neighborhoods. Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Brooklyn includes two sites in Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy. S.O.S. is a replication of the Cure Violence program, a gun violence prevention model that aims to reduce and prevent shootings using public health strategies. Neighbors in Action is seeking a Violence Interrupter for the Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Bed-Stuy program. Reporting to the Violence Interrupter Supervisor, the Violence Interrupter will work individually and as a team to prevent neighborhood shootings and killings. They will provide conflict mediation services and serve as conduits to the program’s Outreach Workers who work with program participants on a long-term basis.

Requirements

• Associates degree (or higher) in human services field or equivalent and satisfactory experience.
• Reside in or have an in-depth knowledge of Crown Heights, especially the target area (Atlantic Avenue to Eastern Parkway, Kingston Avenue to Utica).
• Experience working with at-risk youth and gang members, and knowledge of the street sets, crews, gangs, and or groups is a must.
• Candidates must be able to walk 30 blocks or more on a regular basis, pass a drug screening, and work a flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be willing to work in inclement weather.
• Excellent communication skills, commitment to working towards positive community change, and interest in learning new skills and information are a must for this position.
• Candidates who are formerly incarcerated or have other experience in the criminal justice system are particularly invited to apply.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Identify youth who are at-risk for being involved in violent activities and assist them in connecting to S.O.S., and/or other Neighbors in Action programs such as Make It Happen, Youth Programs, and Legal Hand, as well as referring them to other community organizations and resources as needed.
• Learn about the causes of shootings/killings in order to assist in mediating situations and preventing retaliation between individuals and groups.
• Form relationships with the people who are at the highest risk of experiencing violence in the community, as well as the people who know them.
• Conduct outreach to the community to build strong relationships with youth, residents, and community groups.
• Engage with local businesses and storefronts to spread understanding of the S.O.S. mission, build relationships, and increase public recognition of S.O.S. in the community.
• Talk to residents in the S.O.S. Bed-Stuy catchment area about potential conflicts and assist in preventing them.
• Participate in organizing responses to shootings and increasing visibility when shootings/killings take place.
• Report to the S.O.S. Bed-Stuy Violence Interrupter Supervisor and keep them informed of all relevant community activities.
• Document all contacts with high-risk individuals, as well as shootings and other acts of violence that are prevented in the catchment area.
• Respond to shootings in other communities, as necessary.
• Distribute public education materials to targeted audiences.
• Distribute information about community events and important resources.
• Attend all program trainings, community events, and shooting responses.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and other team meetings, as required.
• Attend and participate in all Neighbors in Action and Center for Court Justice trainings, meetings and conferences.
• Additional relevant tasks, as necessary.

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: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees