Community Safety Worker

Organization Description:

Founded in 2016, Focused Interruption was created by a small group of community members, many of whom have been directly impacted by gun violence and the criminal justice system. These volunteers were committed to taking action to end the growing gun violence in Dane County. Over five years, Focused Interruption has provided counseling and support to over 300 victims and perpetrators of gun violence, visiting area hospitals at all hours of night and day partnered with the City of Madison to address gun violence.

Our mission is to use a holistic approach to reduce generational trauma by providing evidence-based intervention and prevention services to the people, neighborhoods, and families most impacted by gun violence.​

Position Summary:

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Community Safety Worker to join our team. The Community Safety Worker will play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being and security of our community members. This position involves actively engaging with residents, identifying safety concerns, and implementing initiatives to enhance community safety. The Community Safety Worker will collaborate with local organizations, law enforcement, and community leaders to develop and implement effective strategies aimed at preventing crime, promoting safety, and fostering a sense of security within the community.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify and recruit appropriate community members for the project, providing access to job skills training, information resources, role modeling, and encouragement.
• Serve as an advocate for targeted individuals, assisting them in securing services, education, and job-related opportunities.
• Assess the needs of family members affected by gun violence and make referrals to appropriate services.
• Network with various organizations, schools, courts, probation offices, community residents, and grassroots organizations to gather resources and information for youth and their affected family members.
• Plan and attend social and recreational activities for participants.
• Create and maintain records for each participant involved in the project, documenting all interactions and compiling status reports.

• Additional Responsibilities (When Assigned to Reentry/Workforce Support):
• Provide reentry services for identified individuals, offering on-site/in-person job coaching support.
• Assist participants in developing resumes, cover letters, and job applications.
• Collaborate with partner agencies to meet the holistic needs of participants.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or related field preferred.
• Previous experience in community outreach, social work, or related field is highly desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Empathetic, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach to addressing community safety concerns.
• Knowledge of community resources and social services available to residents.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, including residents, law enforcement, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills and data entry.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Expectations:

• Adhere to Focused Interruption’s model, philosophy, approaches, policies, and procedures.
• Attend relevant trainings, including restorative justice, trauma-informed care, conflict mediation, and mental health support.
• Participate in self-care sessions and exhibit emotional maturity, effective teamwork, professional conduct, good judgment, integrity, and tolerance of differing points of view.

This position is a part-time position, $28/hour, based in Madison, Wisconsin.

The working hours are 3:00 PM-7:00 PM and occasional weekend events.

Focused Interruption provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Focused Interruption complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Salary : $28