Outreach Worker

 

LIFE Camp, Inc. seeks committed and experienced individuals to manage the front lines of our efforts to reduce violence in South Jamaica, Queens. Outreach workers coordinate LIFE Camp’s immediate response protocol and deployment of resources after incidents of violence or conflict.

Outreach workers work to intervene and mediate conflicts and provide other support to individuals who are at high risk for involvement in gun violence.  They are responsible for building networks of volunteers as well as relationships with local community members, businesses and organizations in LIFE Camp’s target neighborhoods. Outreach Workers play a critical role in helping LIFE Camp understand patterns of violence and provide emotional support to victims and their families.  Applicants should have a knowledge of the South East Queens area.

Title: Outreach Worker

Department: Cure Violence

Reports to: Outreach Worker Supervisor

Position: Full-Time

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Build relationships with high risk youth and adults

  • Inform the community of LIFE Camp’s presence and available services, positioning the Outreach Worker as an early­ warning system before conflict escalates into violence

  • Intervene in escalating conflicts and seek to prevent retaliation

  • Work 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

  • Work to gain trust of the community and the highest risk persons so that they trust you and work with you to prevent violence

  • Maintain constant communication with Outreach Supervisor while in the field

  • Identify youth who are gang members and those at ­risk for joining gangs and work with them to solve current conflicts and discourage future ones

  • Serve as support for 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/killings 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

  • Identify and diffuse “hot spots” for shootings and violence (conducting eyeball surveys with residents and CBOs to identify areas frequented by potential offenders) and provide documentation

REQUIREMENTS

  • Experience working with high-­risk youth, adults and gang members

  • Excellent communication skills

  • Experience or training in crisis intervention

  • Familiarity with Jamaica, Queens

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

  • An in-depth knowledge of the community, in particular, the target area

  • Experience working with high risk youth and gang members

  • Resides within the target area (preferred)

  • Knowledge of the street sets, crews, gangs and/or groups

  • Able to walk 30 blocks or more on a regular basis

  • Able to pass a drug screening

  • Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends and holidays

  • Committed to working toward positive community change

  • No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence

  • Excellent communication skills

  • Experience or training in crisis intervention

LIFE Camp