Outreach Worker

Overview

We are looking for a dynamic and compassionate Outreach Worker to join our team. The Outreach Worker works with program staff, community residents, businesses and community-based organizations of all types to implement strategies to reduce and prevent shootings and killings in selected “hot spot” areas within the Bronx 47th Precinct, which comprises:
Woodlawn, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Baychester, Edenwald, Olinville and Fishbay. The Program Supervisor/Community Coordinator assists the Program Director to coordinate regular mobilization and public education activities in addition to assisting the Program Director in supervising other program staff, and conducting community outreach. Actively create and sustain partnerships between community and public safety oriented organizations in NYC neighborhoods to ensure access to existing geographical City Hall initiatives.

Reports to: OUTREACH WORKER SUPERVISOR, Cure Violence Bronx

Hours: 35 hours/week, Non-Exempt

• Maintain an active caseload of 10-15 participants at all times.
• Perform Admission Criteria Screenings for approval.
• Conduct frequent contact with participants on a monthly basis as follows:
• Three (3) visits in or near home.
• Three (3) additional face-to-face meetings.
• Eight (8) substantive phone conversations.
• Develop Risk Reduction Plans and track progress for update.
• Serve as linkages and support for participants to enhance their use of opportunities and provider programs in the community (i.e., job training/placement, GED/TASC, Therapy, Drug Treatment, Mentoring, etc.) and case manage their referrals.
• Lead advocacy for participants when necessary.
• Build network with other outreach program workers.
• Form relationships with the highest risk persons in the community, as well as the people who know them.
• Be present on the streets with such individuals to develop relationships of trust and safety, from which to be able to intervene in the moment if necessary and to learn about emerging conflicts.
• Acquire information on potential conflicts in the area, attending or convening gang mediation meetings and working with perpetrators and gang leaders to resolve conflicts that arise between gangs or individuals.
• Meet with high-risk individuals on a daily basis to discuss problems that arise.
• Provide age-appropriate engagement and interaction with youth and young adults encountered and adhere to all agency guidelines and ethics regarding treatment of participants.
• Help prevent retaliatory shootings by meeting with a shooting’s victim and the victim’s family in the hospital, or elsewhere, to calm the situation, providing mediation and assistance, including referral to any relevant support and mediation resources, and remain in contact.
• Mobilize the community around violence reduction by distributing public education materials, developing relationships with key community leaders, and attending community responses to shootings.
• Keep a daily log of contacts with high-risk individuals and document conflicts resolved information.
• Enter all such information timely into the prescribed database on handheld devices or office computers.
• Be in contact with Outreach Worker Supervisor and/or Director at all times to be accountable for effective use of time and to receive guidance and direction.
• Provide 24 hour on call availability as directed by Director/Outreach Worker Supervisor.
• Attend all staff meetings timely, and attend other internal and external meetings as directed.
• Participate in training programs prescribed by DOHMH and by GSS supervisors, including conflict mediation, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice, and other tools for effective work.
• Lean and use trauma-informed practice (TIP), which may include tools from the Sanctuary Model of TIP.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• An in-depth knowledge of the Bronx 47th Precinct neighborhoods.
• Residence within the area strongly preferred.
• Experience and direct knowledge of at-risk youth and gang involvement.
• Ideal candidate is someone very close to the streets with the ability to communicate effectively with gang members and other high-risk individuals, and able to gain trust of the highest risk individuals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer literate and able to enter notes and activities into databases via handheld devices and office computers.
• Ability to work a highly flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends and holidays
• Ability to pass drug screening.
• Criminal justice history preferred but may not be under current criminal justice supervision.
• Committed to working toward positive community change.
• Commitment to work from a strength based, trauma informed youth and family development perspective.
• Valid, clean NYS driver’s license strongly preferred.
• Ability to use public transportation.
• Ability to travel intensively, stand and walk for long periods, able to lift 25 lbs, bend and lift and be otherwise physically active.