Outreach Worker - BRAG West

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 46th Precinct, which comprises the following Bronx neighborhoods: Fordham, University Heights, Morris Heights, and Mount Hope. The Outreach Worker develops strong relationships with people in the neighborhood who are known to be or likely to be involved in gun violence, to learn about and mediate issues and conflicts with the goal of stopping escalation to gun violence. He/she must be comfortable on the streets when and where violence is likely to erupt, and must have and maintain the confidence of gang members and other perpetrators of violence.

Reports to: OUTREACH WORKER SUPERVISOR, Cure Violence Bronx

Location: 1995 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10453

Hours: 35 hours/week, Non-Exempt

Salary: $44,600-$49,600/year

Major Duties:

• Maintain an active caseload of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 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.
• Risk Reduction Plans
• 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.
• Document detailed participant's case notes.
• 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.

Qualifications:

• An in-depth knowledge of the Bronx 46th Precinct neighborhoods.
• Residence within the area is strongly preferred.
• Experience and direct knowledge of at-risk youth and gang involvement.
• An 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 the 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.
• Bilingual Spanish-English a plus.

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year - and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success. At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain's New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference!

General Requirements: All staff are expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness and ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.