Crisis Response Specialist

Position Summary

The Crisis Response Specialist position is full-time, 40 hours per week (non-exempt, benefits available). The Crisis Response Specialist will work to gain trust of the community and the highest risk individuals to help prevent shootings and retaliatory violence, and to provide linkages and robust accompaniment to prosocial alternatives including activities, jobs, education, case management, and social services. As a member of a team, the Crisis Response Specialist is responsible for reaching out to the highest risk individuals in the community and working with them to prevent violence by mediating conflicts, modeling prosocial behaviors, engaging them in positive activities and accompaniment through the case management process. Some weekends and some on-call in response to crisis situations will be required. Flexible schedule required. Focus neighborhoods include Little Village, Pilsen, and Brighton Park, and Downtown Chicago. Will require some local travel (reimbursable). Pay commensurate with experience. This position is in-person. 2 positions available.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist local Street Outreach partner (e.g., conflict mediation, shooting responses, non-aggression agreements, participant referrals, etc.) per direction from Regional Lead
• Attend local outreach partner meetings.
• Getting to know all the highest risk persons and the people who know them.
• Letting it be known that you and other outreach workers are here to stop shootings and that they should tell you when shootings or other violence might happen so that you can help intervene.
• Working to intervene in circumstances in which violence is likely, including possible retaliation.
• Working 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.
• Working to gain trust of the community and the highest risk persons so that they know why you are there – to help prevent shootings and violence, and to help high-risk persons in any way you can.
• Calling for assistance when situations require it.
• Promptly Report to deployment location for brief
• Engage area of deployment
• Engage in activities per training (e.g., positive engagement, gather intel, build relationships, deescalate, conflict mediation, disseminate public education materials, etc.)
• Make referrals for services to other street outreach or violence reduction services based upon individual engagements.
• Other CPRU Engagement Specialist duties assigned.
• Works with outreach colleagues and supervisor to identify potential participants who are the highest risk individuals, and the people who know them.
• Maintains a caseload of 10-15 high-risk participants.
• Participants and family range in age, participants primarily being between 14-24.
• Develops and maintains supportive and effective relationships with participant caseload.
• Works to intervene in circumstances in which violence is likely.
• Works as a member of a team, communicating all relevant information to team members and supervisors instantly.
• Develops and delivers one-to-one support sessions and facilitates circles with participants to support participants in resolving conflicts and adopting prosocial behaviors.
• Connects participants with case-managers to provide linkages and support for individuals to enhance their use of opportunities and programs in the community (job programs, GED, drug treatment, mentoring, etc.). May provide linkages as well.
• Provides client accompaniment to court, social services, etc.
• Participates, as necessary, in organizing responses to shootings and increasing visibility when shootings take place (developing networks with other outreach programs to coordinate an inclusive and strategic response).
• Investigates causes of shootings to assist in mediating situations and preventing retaliation between individuals and groups and provides documentation.
• Identifies and diffuses “hot spots” for shootings and violence (conducting line of sight surveys with residents and key stakeholders to identify areas frequented by high-risk clients) and provides documentation.
• Strategizes with outreach team and supervisor to develop ongoing strategy to respond to conflicts and violence, noting important anniversary dates or other key events.
• Outreach to the community (individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with youth, residents, businesses, and community groups.
• Works closely with referring partners and any other stakeholders to ensure that goals are met.
• Maintains positive relationships with stakeholders.
• Responds to shootings in other communities, when necessary, working with relevant outreach programs.
• Documents shootings, retaliations, and other acts of violence prevented, and conflicts mediated.
• Provides support and advocacy to the victims of violence and their families through home visits, phone calls, criminal justice advocacy, and referrals to other support organizations.
• Develops relationships with partner organizations and builds “warm referral” network for linkages.
• Documents participant contacts and services provided and assists data team with data collection and required reporting.
• Works with team to identify and address safety concerns and create a plan for long term safety and well-being.
• Documents detailed participant case-notes and other items as assigned.
• Maintains accuracy of budget and assures spending within budget.
• Participates in required evaluations.
• Demonstrates New Life Centers’ values.
• Attends required meetings and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Skills & Qualifications

• At least 3 to 5 years of experience of successful street outreach work
• Excellent verbal communication skills, and ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practices.
• Experience working on a team.
• Must become a Certified Mandated Reporter. Training provided.
• Must pass a background check, must not have any pending cases.
• Must pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System background check.
• Must pass a National Sex Offender Registry background check.
• Must have a working phone and phone number.
• One year experience working in the human services field in a capacity that involves direct services to at-risk youth.
• Cross-cultural competency.
• Firsthand knowledge of the specific the Little Village, Pilsen, and/or the Brighton Park, Downtown Chicago community area and knowledge of current street conflicts.
• Emotional maturity; good judgment; integrity; tolerance of differing points of view and beliefs.
• Experience or training in crisis intervention preferred.
• Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practices.
• Ability to work one-on-one and in groups with high-risk individuals to resolve conflicts and promote prosocial behaviors.
• Willingness to work on the street and in other unstructured situations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be willing to be trained, and proficiently utilize database(s) and information tracking systems relevant to duties.
• Must keep confidentiality of participant information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, insurance, good driving record, access to a vehicle. Subject to driving background check.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.

Required

• Biometrics Fingerprints (Federal & State)
• National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR)
• Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS)
• No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence.

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter indicating your experience and interest in the position.
• Resume
• List of three references with contact information (minimum 2 professional references, email and phone number included)
• Please mention the name of any New Life Centers staff who referred the position to you in your email if applicable.

New Life Centers 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. New Life Centers complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.