Lead Mediation Specialist, Youth Enrichment Services (YES) (BIVO)

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach more than 72,000 individuals and families each year at our 100 locations, including 10,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families live in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

Youth Enrichment Services (YES) engages school-aged youth between 12 and 21 years old in programming and supportive services that change the culture around violence and encourage positive youth development. YES is delivered in and around schools in neighborhoods with a high prevalence of community violence. YES staff actively recruit and engage youth who are vulnerable to system involvement and may be at risk for interpersonal violence or who have experienced community violence.

Position: Lead Mediation Specialist
Reports To: Assistant Program Director
Location: Multiple Locations

What The Lead Mediation Specialist Does:

• Conduct at least two structured in-school engagement sessions weekly (four for campus schools), focusing on topics such as conflict resolution, crisis intervention, and restorative justice practices.
• Collaborate with school administrators, deans, safety staff, and other stakeholders to identify and engage vulnerable students.
• Actively participate in student arrival, lunch periods, and dismissal to build trust and relationships.
• Host and facilitate peer support and enrichment events to encourage prosocial behavior.
• Detect, interrupt, and mediate conflicts within the school and surrounding areas to prevent escalation into violence.
• Work with school staff and local law enforcement to identify "hot spots" where violence typically occurs.
• Organize responses to conflicts and provide mediation services for high-risk situations.
• Conduct ongoing follow-ups to ensure resolved conflicts remain nonviolent.
• Provide visible staff presence around the school and on routes to public transportation during dismissal, at least twice weekly (four for campus schools).
• Diffuse conflicts and engage in violence interruption activities during these times.
• Maintain a caseload of 10-15 high-risk participants, providing a minimum of four hours of direct case management services per participant each month.
• Conduct needs assessments, develop tailored risk-reduction plans, and refer participants to relevant services such as legal aid, mental health support, or employment resources.
• Monitor and document participants’ progress toward goals and maintain accurate, confidential records.
• Provide incentives to encourage engagement and celebrate milestones, ensuring they align with approved plans.
• Prepare and distribute marketing materials to promote the program within the school community.
• Develop and execute a recruitment plan to attract and retain high-risk youth participants for the program.
• Serve as a liaison between the school and community-based organizations, cultivating strong partnerships.
• Document all activities, including conflict mediations, participant progress, and referral outcomes.
• Use DYCD’s data tracking systems to input and manage program performance metrics.
• Prepare and submit required reports, ensuring compliance with DYCD guidelines.
• Attend all required training sessions and meetings to stay updated on best practices.
• Recommend closing of cases in which clients have: (a) achieved primary goals and have maintained stability for a period of months; (b) have not demonstrated a willingness to participate in the process (lost-to-service); or (c) have become ineligible for services (e.g. moved out of area).
• Provide all required information for weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Conduct periodic reassessments of clients, as needed.
• Schedule appointments for clients with referral organizations, as needed.
• Escort clients safely to and from school, as needed.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) and one year of applicable experience, or
• Associate’s degree (A.S) and two years of applicable experience, or
• High School Diploma or HSE (High School Equivalency) and three years of applicable experience.

Other Requirements:

• Relevant experience as described above, preferably in a mid-sized (250+ employees) organization.
• Good written & verbal communication.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Flexibility with working a varied schedule, including mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed, and the ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Compensation : $50,000 annually
When salary ranges are listed, the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and candidate. This includes but is not limited to experience, education, budget and/or program size, internal equity, skills and other factors that may be required for the position and organization.

Status: Full-time (35 hours per week) (Seasonal)
Benefits : CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.