Credible Messenger

Credible Messenger

The Credible Messenger provides intensive, relationship-based mentoring and outreach to youth at highest risk of involvement in gun violence, aligned with the Family Care Manager model. While the Family Care Manager works with the family and broader support system, the Credible Messenger focuses on direct engagement with the youth, building trust, supporting behavior change, and reinforcing service plans through consistent, high-dosage contact. This role is grounded in culturally specific practice and aligned with Gun Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS/Ceasefire) principles.

The primary duties and responsibilities include:

• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with youth through consistent, high-frequency engagement
• Provide individualized mentoring focused on goal-setting, decision-making, and pro-social skill development
• Reinforce and support individualized service and safety plans developed in coordination with the Family Care Manager
• Conduct outreach in community settings to engage youth who are disconnected or at elevated risk
• Model and teach conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and positive communication
• Support youth in navigating school, employment, and community systems
• Assist in de-escalation and crisis response, working closely with the Family Care Manager and team
• Accompany youth to appointments, activities, and pro-social opportunities
• Maintain regular communication with the Family Care Manager to ensure alignment and coordinated care
• Participate in team meetings, case conferencing, and cross-system coordination efforts
• Document all services, contacts, and progress in a timely and accurate manner
• Facilitate restorative Justice circles using the Joven Noble, Circle Keepers and Cultura Cura framework

Requirements include:

• Lived experience that reflects the youth and communities served (required)
• Experience working with high-risk, justice-involved, or system-impacted youth
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to engage youth in community-based settings and respond to crisis situations
• Commitment to culturally specific, equity-centered, and trauma-informed practice
• Bilingual/bicultural (Spanish/English)
• High School diploma or higher and/or at least two years equivalent experience in community outreach or social services.
• Knowledge of emergency, social, education, domestic violence, child welfare, human services, and information/referral systems.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Spanish and English (including public speaking).
• Ability to employ critical thinking and confidence in decision-making and carrying out actions.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, manage time, and prioritize tasks to meet goals and deadlines effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member.
• Commitment to personal and professional development.
• Evening and weekend availability may be required, and work hours are flexible to accommodate program implementation.
• Reliable transportation is required. Automobile, driver's license, and automobile liability insurance preferred; must be eligible to be an insured driver under Latino Network's Commercial Auto Liability (or become eligible within three months of date of hire).

Additional administrative and physical requirements include:

• Regularly work in the office and in the community as needed.
• Evening and weekend availability may be required, and work hours are flexible to accommodate program implementation; they may be long during peak periods
• Undergoing and passing criminal background checks is required.

Physical demands include:

Must be able to perform with or without accommodation the essential functions as described above, which may include, but are not limited to, seeing, hearing, typing, speaking, bending, reaching, walking, carrying, lifting, and standing for periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds while assisting clients in the Transitional Housing department. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee must frequently stand, walk, sit, type, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, or bend. It may require heavy lifting and walking during events and outreach activities.

The work environment is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.