Violence Outreach Worker

YouthBuild Louisville implemented strategies to address shooting in the Louisville, Kentucky community. Skilled outreach workers are a key ingredient to the success of this initiative and are instrumental in helping to facilitate positive behavior change amongst high-risk individuals and groups.

Stopping shootings by doing all that is required individually and in a team to prevent all shootings in the neighborhood assigned, including:

• Getting to know all the highest risk persons and the people who know them

• Letting it be known that you and other outreach workers are here to stop shootings and that they should tell you when shootings or other violence might happen so that you can help intervene

• Working to intervene in circumstances in which violence is likely, including possible retaliation

• Working to understand why a shooting happened and to determine why it is that you and the team were not informed- developing strategies to be better informed the next time

• Working to gain the trust of the community and the highest risk persons so that they know why you are there to help prevent shoots and violence and to help high-risk persons in any way you can

• Calling for assistance when situations require it

Full participation includes:

• Anticipate and be responsive to Outreach Supervisor’s requests and needs

• Continuously keep Outreach Supervisor informed as to what is going on (this includes: what is going right, what is going wrong, and anticipating what might go wrong.

• Work as a member of a team-work together to ensure that shootings are reduced

• Outreach to the community (Individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with youth, residents, businesses, and community groups

• Identify youth who are active in high-risk street organizations and engage in high-risk street activity and intervene in their lives through case management to aid in solving current problems and preventing future ones, help facilitate positive behavior change, and introduce positive alternatives to violence.

• Recruit and maintain a minimum of 15 high-risk participants (case management ) and work with participants to develop a risk reduction plan for each participant

• Serve as linkages and support to individuals to enhance their assistance and use of opportunities and programs in the community (job programs, GED, drug treatment, and mentoring

• Advocate for youth through court testimonies, when necessary

• Participate, as necessary, in organizing responses to shootings and increasing visibility when shootings/killing take place ( developing networks with other outreach program workers to coordinate an inclusive and strategic response)

• Investigate causes of shootings/killings to assist in mediating situations and preventing retaliation between individuals and groups (working with the community, outreach programs, and local law enforcement to gain information that may be helpful in preventing additional killings) and provide documentation

• Work closely and management towards the development of the Violence Prevention Plan

• Identify and diffuse “hot spots” for shootings and violence

• Document shootings and other acts of violence prevented

• Respond to shootings in other communities, when necessary

• Document detailed client case notes and other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Experience working with at-risk youth and gang members

• Excellent communication skills

• Experience or training in crisis intervention

• Knowledge of Target Area

• Valid Kentucky driver’s license, insurance, and good driving record

• No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for domestic violence (within 10 years) or prior convictions for sexual assault or child abuse

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $12.00 - $19.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: Multiple locations

Salary : $12 - $19