Job Description
Summary of Position
Reporting to the Community Safety Manager and working in partnership with the Resource Navigator team as part of a comprehensive Care Team, Community Safety Ambassadors build rapport and trust with participants. They establish a consistent schedule of outreach and help to provide participants with support needed to move into more positive opportunities. Additionally, they support the Community Support Team on longer-range truce negotiation, conflict mediation, and incident and hotspots specific outreach.
Essential Responsibilities
The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.
Participant Support
- Alongside Resource Navigators, build ongoing relationships and trust with participants largely between the ages of 12 to 30 who meet three risk factors and / or those referred through SCSI and RPKC network. Risk factors include :
- Regularly singled out by law enforcement, even if no arrest
- Has been shot and / or seriously injured from violence
- Has had a close peer, friend, or family member shot and / or killed in the last 3 years
- On probation, parole, electronic home monitoring, or have an active case
- Lives or hangs out in hotspots
- History and / or immediate risk for engagement in gun-involved activity
- Leverage relationships with participants to help shift their mindsets and support their growth, and connect them to pro-social activities, a positive peer group, and formal and informal community support
- Work alongside Resource Navigators to provide connection to services and resources as participants become ready to receive them
- Facilitate connection to resources by attending and coordinating transportation for participants to and from meetings, appointments, and events as needed
- Employ a compassionate and trauma-informed approach with participants who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health issues, and significant trauma
- Advocate for the participants in court as needed
- Keep detailed participant case notes and documentation
Ongoing Participant Communication
Alongside assigned Resource Navigator :
Connect with participants and establish a supportive relationship :Confirm receipt of referral within 1 business dayReach out within 3 business days of referral to potential participantWith the assigned Resource Navigator, schedule an in-person meeting within 3-4 business daysWithin 5 business days of initial contact with participant, establish a strength and needs assessment and safety plan (process led by Resource Navigator)Alongside the participant, develop a comprehensive and individualized service plan based on participant needs and strengths (process led by Resource Navigator)Maintain consistent contact - including phone calls, texts, and in-person meetings-with each participant in accordance with their phase :Phase One (1-6 months) :Virtual : DailyIn-Person : 3x per weekPhase Two (7-12 months) :Virtual : 3x per weekIn-Person : 1x per weekPhase Three (12-18 months) :Virtual : 2x per weekIn-Person : Minimum 2x per monthCommunity Engagement and Outreach
Leverage credibility in the community to disrupt the cycle of violenceIn coordination with the Street Team Manager, participate in planning and staffing recurring and one-time outreach and community engagement including :Regularly scheduled events coordinated with community-based partners, businesses, schools, property managers, and other stakeholders such as :Pop-up events in areas of recurring incidentsPositive presence building (Community BBQs, Resource Provision, Pro-social engagement activities)Positive place space supports (e.g. Safe Passages)Community healing projectsIn coordination with the Community Safety Manager / Lead and Community Support Team Manager, facilitate mediation to prevent violence and retaliation between individuals and groupsEstablish relationships by engaging with businesses, young people, residents, and other community members to gain trust and rapportIdentify and connect with known neighborhood influencers to understand issues or history that may be increasing chances of violence in areaIdentify environmental changes that may be contributing to increased violence- dark areas, boarded up, construction etc. and work with Street Team Lead to identify potential solutionsParticipate in neighborhood clean-ups, graffiti removal, and property damage repair as neededIdentify young people at-risk of gun violence and proactively connect them to community-based supportAlongside the Community Support Team, support vigils and funerals to :Leverage relationships in community / crowd to help mitigate tensions / escalationsProvide verbal de-escalation and mediationOffer support and raise visibility for community-based public safetyOther
Participate in meetings, as assigned by supervisorMaintain confidentiality as per agency guidelinesOther duties as assignedRequirements
Requirements :
A clear criminal background check is required for all positions within our school district or working directly with youth / minors.While on the job in the community providing services, you will be in uniform (shirts, hoodies, badges, walkie-talkies, etc.)While on duty, you will be on call for potential incidences of violence including hospital support, vigils, funerals, and community events, including on evenings and weekends.Ability to walk long distances at a time with up to 30lbs of equipment.Preferred Experience or Skills :
Experience with de-escalation, mediation, and harm-reduction efforts is required.Experience and / or expertise in the area of violence prevention and intervention, or trauma-informed support services among high-risk populations is required.Lived experience of the impact of gun violenceStrong verbal and written communication skillsAbility to safeguard and maintain individual records to keep participant files complete, confidential, and in order.Basic knowledge for Microsoft 365Reliable TransportationPreferred competencies :
Commit to understand deeply and seek to dismantle the systems of oppression impacting communities of colorValue the intrinsic worth of young people and their unlimited potentialMaintain a restorative justice orientation in relationship to staff, partners and participantsBe a self-aware (know your strengths and weaknesses), engaged and adaptable team playerBenefits