Violence Intervention Specialist

Community for New Direction•Columbus, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Intervention Specialist will serve as a liaison between youth, parents, and teachers, equipping high-risk youth with strategies for violence intervention and crisis response. This includes responding to gang-related confrontations, mediating and diffusing hostile tensions, and promoting conflict resolution and peace through community-building activities. The role primarily focuses on youth and young adults aged 14-23. The intervention model is informed by best practices from psychology, utilizing a strength-based, systemic, home-and-field-based approach designed for long-term, sustainable results. The goal is to off-ramp individuals at the early stages of extremist behavior who are identified and referred by law enforcement.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent with three years of professional experience in the social service field.
Basic understanding of violence intervention and gang awareness and its related problems.
Considerable (3 - 5 years) full-time employment in progressively responsible counseling or social services, particularly involving youth and gang remediation activity.
High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
Ability to analyze, think critically, and solve problems.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
Experience and/or cultural competency with violent extremist ideology and gang affiliation experience.
Demonstrated commitment to youth/family/community violence prevention and intervention, preferably as a street outreach worker or similar position.
Commitment to learning, creating positive change, and enabling others to learn.
Ability to review and understand basic crime data and trends.
Strong verbal communication skills.
Ability to work with diverse populations.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Proficient in use of personal computer and related software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Proficient in use of office equipment (e.g., fax, copier, printer).
Must possess a valid Ohio driver's license.
Must pass a criminal background check.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in the social/behavioral sciences or related field is preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

Respond to neighborhood, gang, youth, and family conflicts within assigned areas using the Neighborhood Violence Intervention process.
Mentor and guide youth individually and in groups while using a behavior management system to shape youth behavior.
Address conflicts with crisis intervention methods such as verbal de-escalation, reframing strategies, and physical de-escalation techniques, using the least amount of physical intervention necessary.
Facilitate youth learning of pro-social, academic, and vocational skills.
Work with youth to provide gang remediation activities and anti-bullying and violence reduction interventions.
Facilitate youth group meetings in the residential unit and elsewhere.
Be responsible for recruitment, transportation, and mentoring to a minimum of 50 youth and young adults ages 14 to 23.
Link clients to existing services to meet their needs within the community to facilitate substance abuse prevention services as needed.
Participate as a community liaison as assigned by the Intervention Case Manager.
Observe youth and maintain appropriate daily, weekly, and monthly record keeping and document progress every six months.
Participate in staff meetings, committees, attend professional development conferences, trainings, webinars/seminars as needed to enhance knowledge, broaden horizons, and obtain continued education.
Perform other duties as assigned to promote the overall mission and vision of CND.