RE-IMAGINE OUTREACH WORKER

Description

Reports to: VPI Co-Director

Program/Department: Violence Prevention and Intervention

Classification: Exempt

Revision Date: March 2025

TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY, AN INDIVIDUAL MUST BE ABLE TO PERFORM EACH ESSENTIAL DUTY SATISFACTORILY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND/OR ABILITY REQUIRED. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Gain information on potential conflicts in hotspot communities.
• Formulate action plans to help resolve conflicts.
• Attend outreach worker/violence interrupter meetings.
• Meet with high-risk individuals and groups on a daily basis to discuss issues.
• Work to prevent acts of violence and help to prevent all potential retaliatory shootings.
• Develop relationships with influential individuals and groups in the community.
• Refer potential clients/participants to case managers in the program for wrap around services.
• Document conflicts resolved on conflict mediation forms.
• Participate and engage participants in program activities.
• Attend community responses as needed.
• Get to know all the highest risk persons and the people who know them. Work to intervene in circumstances in which violence is likely, including possible retaliation.
• Document all contacts with high risk individuals daily.
• Identify and diffuse "hot spots" for shootings and violence.
• Research 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.
• Outreach to the community (individually and as a team member) to build relationships with individuals, residents, businesses, and community groups.
• Provide strong, effective communication with clients.
• Engage restorative practices in the de-escalation and resolution of conflict.
• Work closely and collaboratively with Street Outreach and the Chicago's Crisis Response Support Network.
• Work as a member of a team — work together to ensure that shootings are reduced.
• Document consistently and accurately in records all contacts with clients.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Represent The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (The PRCC) to the media, public officials, community leaders, etc. on strategies to prevent gun violence and improve services to youth.
• Participate in violence prevention efforts with other providers as assigned.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Program Coordinator.
  
  

This position requires compliance with all of The PRCC’s written standards, including its Standards of Conduct, all policies and procedures, and Regulatory Compliance requirements. Compliance will be considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with at risk, gang involved or impacted youth and/or adults is required.
• Applicants with personal experience in overcoming violence/incarceration/violence-related injuries/gang involvement/the criminal justice system are especially encouraged to apply. However, candidates should have a minimum of 24 months since their release from incarceration.
• Knowledge of urban youth issues, specifically youth violence and juvenile justice.
• A minimum of 2 years experience working with at-risk gang involved or impacted youth is required. A minimum of 1 year case management or violence interruption experience is strongly preferred.
• Must have reliable car, valid insurance, and DMV clearance throughout your time of employment.
  
  

Skills

• Ability to effectively communicate, connect with, and motivate youth and/or young adults away from impulsive behavior that will lead to violence.
• Ability to stay calm in response to emergencies.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Must have strong communication and organizational skills, and possess the ability to communicate effectively with staff members, clients, vendors, and the public.
• Ability to work well with diverse populations.
• Proactive, and demonstrates initiative, flexibility, and willingness to try new approaches.
• Punctual and extremely reliable.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Candidate must be computer literate.
• Must be able to present self and program in a professional manner.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work in stressful situations.
  
  

Licensure

EDUCATION:

• High school diploma or GED preferred; applicants working toward completion of GED/diploma will be accepted.
  
  

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

OSHA Category 3: No regular exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, and tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues are not a condition of employment.

Job Type: Full Time

Benefits: Health, Vision, Dental, PTO

EEO Statement

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that celebrates inclusion and diversity. The PRCC provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, or promotion based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other basis or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, The PRCC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.