Youth Violence Reduction Specialist (TEMPORARY)

Northern Children's Services•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Youth Violence Reduction Specialist (YP3 Coordinator) designs, implements, and facilitates violence prevention and intervention programs for youth in schools and at Northern Children’s Services. The role seeks to reduce youth violence by addressing its root causes, promoting positive behavioral changes, and educating youth on topics such as career development, financial literacy, community mapping, and trauma-informed care. The specialist collaborates with school administrators, community leaders, families, and other stakeholders to help create a safe and supportive environment for young people. The position works with youth ages 11–24, delivers group sessions and workshops, and uses trauma-informed practices in interactions with youth and families. It also involves outreach, collaboration with community resources, tracking participant progress, administering and analyzing program assessments, maintaining records in the Apricot database, and reporting program outcomes. The position reports to the Director of Youth and Safety and Prevention. This is a temporary position scheduled for 30–35 hours per week. Work takes place in schools, community centers, and the agency’s office, with travel throughout Philadelphia. Flexible scheduling, including some evening and weekend hours, may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Education, or a related field.
At least 3 years of experience working with youth, preferably in violence prevention or a related field.
Experience in group facilitation and counseling.
Lived experience with the community behavioral health system in Philadelphia and exposure to violence.
Strong understanding of factors contributing to youth violence.
Hands-on experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds and age groups.
Familiarity with best practices and current trends in youth development and leadership.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and independently as well as part of a team.
Strong organizational, time-management, problem-solving, and workflow-management skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, computers, and pertinent software programs.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; willingness and comfort to drive a large mobile unit if needed.
Ability to travel throughout the City of Philadelphia.
Ability to walk up and down steps, lift 20 pounds, and operate a calculator or computer.
Ability to complete projects promptly, communicate clearly, speak in front of others, and present information to varied groups.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, calculate numbers accurately, understand complex instructions, and give clear oral and written instructions.
Self-starter with community connections and experience engaging community members; flexible, patient, calm, and willing to learn.
Strategic and creative thinking, resourcefulness, and strong management, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with multiple child-serving systems, such as education, juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, drug and alcohol services, health care, and vocational rehabilitation.
Availability for a flexible work schedule that may include evening and weekend hours.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience in youth violence prevention or a related field.
Familiarity with the community behavioral health system and other child-serving systems.

Responsibilities

Follow YES curricula and activities addressing causes of youth violence, including peer pressure, bullying, and gang involvement, as well as career development, financial literacy, and trauma-informed care.
Facilitate groups for youth ages 11–24 and prepare for group sessions in schools and at Northern Children’s Services.
Contact and schedule guest speakers aligned with curriculum activities.
Conduct group sessions and workshops for youth in schools and at the agency.
Assist youth in transitioning to IBHS employment, if applicable.
Use trauma-informed practices and maintain a therapeutic environment that promotes safety, nonviolence, and resilience.
Facilitate group discussions and activities that promote conflict resolution, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Collaborate with school staff, parents, and community organizations to support youth and program effectiveness.
Conduct outreach to engage youth and families in violence prevention programs.
Represent the agency at community meetings, events, conferences, training sessions, and interagency meetings.
Monitor and assess participant progress.
Ensure pre- and post-tests and other assessments are completed promptly.
Administer, collect, aggregate, and analyze pre-, mid-, and post-program surveys and assessments for each group.
Upload information into the Apricot database and collect and analyze data to evaluate program effectiveness.
Stay current with best practices in youth violence prevention and intervention, and participate in training and professional development.
Engage with youth and families through empathetic listening and emotional support, and incorporate their voices into violence-reduction projects and activities.
Provide youth and families with information about child-serving systems and community resources.
Create attendance and sign-in sheets for each group; prepare reports and provide stakeholders with feedback on program outcomes.
Connect community members with trauma-healing support and further-care resources.
Identify, visit, and build relationships with community resources such as after-school programs, summer camps, and mentoring programs.
Coordinate with appropriate personnel to help ensure consumers keep appointments with parents, teachers, schools, and others.
Perform other duties as assigned.