Violence Intervention Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

Intervention Specialist will work as a liaison between youth, parents, and teachers providing high-risk youth with strategies for violence intervention and crisis response actions that include responding to specific gang-related confrontation, mediating, and diffusing hostile tensions, and promoting conflict resolution and peace by building activities in the community and surrounding neighborhoods. These individuals will work with primarily youth and young adults aged 14-23.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Community Intervention Workers will respond to neighborhood, gang, youth, and family conflicts within assigned areas using the Neighborhood Violence Intervention process.

Mentor and guide youth individually and in groups while using a behavior management system to shape youth behavior.

Address conflicts with crisis intervention methods such as verbal de-escalation, reframing strategies, and physical de-escalation techniques, using the least amount of physical intervention necessary.

Facilitate youth learning of pro-social, academic, and vocational skills

Work with youth to provide gang remediation activities and anti-bullying and violence reduction interventions.

Facilitate youth group meetings in the residential unit and elsewhere.

Will be responsible for recruitment, transportation and mentoring to a minimum of 50 youth and young adults ages 14 to 23.

Link the client to existing services to meet his/her needs within the community to facilitate substance abuse prevention services as needed.

Participate as a community liaison as assigned by the Intervention Case Manager.

Observe youth and maintain appropriate daily, weekly, and monthly record keeping and document progress every six months.

Work with youth to provide gang remediation activities and anti-bullying and violence reduction interventions.

Participate in staff meetings, committees, attend professional development conferences, trainings, webinars/seminars as needed to enhance your knowledge, broaden your horizon, and obtain continued education.

Performs other duties as assigned to promote the overall mission and vision of CND.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education: A bachelor’s degree in the social/behavioral sciences or related field is preferred, or a high school diploma or equivalent with three years of professional experience in the social service field. Bilingual English/Spanish a plus. Must possess a basic understanding of violence intervention and gang awareness and its related problems.

Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to considerable (3 - 5 years) full-time employment in progressively responsible counseling or social services, particularly involving youth and gang remediation activity.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications The goal of the intervention is to off-ramp people at the early stages of extremist behavior who are identified and referred by law enforcement. Our model is informed by best practices from psychology, and will utilize a strength-based, systemic, home-and-field-based approach that will produce long-term, sustainable results.

High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.

Ability to analyze, think critically, and solve problems.

Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

Experience and/or cultural competency with violent extremist ideology and gang affiliation experience.

Demonstrated commitment to youth/family/community violence prevention and intervention, preferably as a street outreach worker or similar position.

Commitment to learning, creating positive change, and enabling others to learn.

Ability to review and understand basic crime data and trends.

Strong verbal communication skills

Ability to work with diverse population.

Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Computer Skills

Proficient in use of personal computer and related software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) use of office equipment (e.g., fax, copier, printer).

Other Requirements

Must possess a valid Ohio driver's license; must pass a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug screen.