Violence Interrupter- SOS Crown Heights

About the role

The Center for Justice Innovation is seeking a Violence Interrupter for the Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights program. This role reports to the Outreach Worker Supervisor and involves working individually and as part of a team to prevent neighborhood shootings and killings.

Responsibilities

• Work with community partners and the rest of the S.O.S. team to identify and diffuse “hot spots” for shootings and violence;
• Intervene in local conflicts to try to prevent an outbreak of violence, and work to prevent retaliations when violence does occur;
• Identify youth who are at-risk for being involved in violent activities and assist them in connecting to S.O.S., and/or other Neighbors in Action programs such as Make It Happen, Youth Programs, and Community Justice Connect, as well as referring them to other community organizations and resources as needed;
• Learn about the causes of shootings/killings in order to assist in mediating situations and preventing retaliation between individuals and groups (e.g., working with the community, conducting outreach programs to gain information that may be helpful in preventing additional killings);
• Form relationships with the people who are at the highest risk of experiencing violence in the community, as well as the people who know them;
• Conduct outreach to the community (individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with youth, residents, and community groups;
• Engage with local businesses and storefronts to spread understanding of the S.O.S. mission, build relationships, and increase public recognition of S.O.S. in the community;
• Talk to residents in the S.O.S. Bed-Stuy catchment area about potential conflicts and assist in preventing them;
• Participate in organizing responses to shootings and increasing visibility when shootings/killings take place;
• Report to the S.O.S. Bed-Stuy Outreach Worker Supervisor and keep them informed of all relevant community activities;
• Document all contacts with high-risk individuals, as well as shootings and other acts of violence that are prevented in the catchment area;
• Respond to shootings in other communities, as necessary;
• Distribute public education materials to targeted audiences;
• Distribute information about community events and important resources;
• Attend all program trainings, community events, and shooting responses;
• Attend and participate in all Neighbors in Action and Center for Justice Innovation trainings, meetings and conferences; and
• Additional relevant tasks, as necessary.

Qualifications

• A degree in a human services field or equivalent satisfactory experience;
• Experience working with at-risk youth and gang members, and knowledge of the street sets, crews, gangs, or groups;
• Reside in or have an in-depth knowledge of Crown Heights, especially the target area (Atlantic Avenue to Eastern Parkway, Kingston Avenue to Utica);
• Ability to walk 30 blocks or more on a regular basis;
• Flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends, and holidays;
• Willingness to work in inclement weather;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Commitment to working towards positive community change;
• Interest in learning new skills and information.

Position Type

Full-time, flexible schedule including late evenings, weekends and holidays.

Position Location

Brooklyn, NY.

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $28.57 - $29.63 per hour based on a 35-hour work week and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare with a national network;
• Free basic dental coverage;
• Vision insurance;
• Short-term and long-term disability;
• Life insurance;
• Flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA;
• A 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our goal is to create a supportive and respectful environment where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and included.