Coordinator, Safe Ride Programs

Salary: $85,000 - $92,000

About the role

The Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) alternative response programs contribute to the agency's comprehensive strategy for security on the system that leverages a wide array of tools to create a welcoming and safe environment for all riders. These alternative programs focus on prevention, support, and situational risk intervention to promote a positive transit experience and complement response and enforcement activities by public safety partners. Under general supervision, this position coordinates and executes Safe Ride initiatives focused on partnering with external community violence intervention specialists. This role also coordinates the development of additional initiatives of similar purpose according to departmental goals and objectives and ensures alignment with the agency's comprehensive approach across departments.

Responsibilities

• Program Development/Coordination:
  • Contributes to the strategic planning, content development, and implementation of Safe Ride Programs, specifically community violence intervention and similar approaches.
  • Contributes to continued policy and procedure development, including coordination approaches with other security resources and operational staff.
  • Conducts site visits during all shifts to provide guidance and support to program partners and to ensure ongoing program monitoring.
  • Develops and coordinates other projects and programs, including developing program goals, objectives, timelines, organization, facilitation, and implementation.
  • Performs administrative duties related to the development, execution, and marketing of the Safe Ride Programs.
• Partnership Development/Relationship Building:
  • Engages with social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, key stakeholders, internal partners, external partners, and end users to define operations' requirements and procedures.
  • Participates in engagement opportunities such as subject matter convenings, trainings, and best practice resource groups.
  • Conducts work site visits during all shifts to provide support to supervisors.
  • Collaborates with Safe Ride partnership recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes.
• Data Management:
  • Compiles and maintains program data to produce weekly and monthly reports regarding the Safe Ride Programs for distribution internally and externally.
  • Maintains updated records for Safe Ride Programs and participants, including invoices.
  • Quality checks and verifies payment requests from safe ride specialists with contract requirements, planned deployment strategies, and in-system tapping at Ventra readers.
• Program Evaluation:
  • Evaluates and updates the Safe Ride programs based on progressive experience, agency and participant feedback, and best practices.
  • Executes long-term strategic planning that aligns with department goals, vision, and objectives by anticipating challenges and leveraging available resources.
  • Contributes to the strategic planning and implementation of programs in alignment with Northern Illinois Transit Agency objectives.
• Coaching/Training and Professional Development:
  • Seeks continued learning opportunities by attending meetings, seminars, conferences, or webinars, as well as researching community events, articles, books, and websites to regularly obtain updated information and other relevant resources.
  • Assists with knowledge-sharing activities.
  • Delivers stand-up marketing and training presentations as necessary to a variety of audiences using instructional techniques or formats such as role-playing, simulations, team exercises, and group discussions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Challenges

• Coordinating advancement of a new program model for transit in the region.
• Working across stakeholder groups that may have competing expectations and approaches.
• Maintaining internal and external alignment with limited resources.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Education, Community Development, Planning, or professional designation in a related field, or a combination of education and experience related to this position.
• Three (3) years of experience working in or with a community or social service agency. Alternatively, comparable experience working within a public safety department as a liaison for community partners.
• Experience developing and monitoring program standards.
• Valid State of Illinois Driver’s License is required.

Physical Requirements

• Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

Skills

• General knowledge of basic social service program management.
• Preferred knowledge of programming for at-risk populations involving de-escalation methods.
• General knowledge of MS Office and learning management systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Strong project management skills and ability to execute from start to finish.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills.
• Good customer-service skills and a positive attitude.
• Ability to coordinate multiple initiatives, balance competing priorities, and meet deadlines with timeliness and accuracy.
• Ability to present to a diverse range of audiences.
• Ability to establish and retain effective working relationships with diverse groups.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, large system environment.

Working Conditions

• General office environment.
• Will be required to travel to various field locations, thus exposed to working conditions of partner social service agencies, colleges, universities, bus garages, rail terminals, and shops.
• At times, may need to work during off hours including overnight hours (conducting training, coaching, site visits, and observations; and support in all three shifts to field locations).

Equipment, Tools, and Materials Utilized

• Standard office equipment.
• Personal computer and related software.
• Possible access to CTA vehicle.

Pay

$85,000 - $92,000