Outreach Worker - Safe Passages - BRAG DOE

We are looking for a dynamic and compassionate Safe Passages Outreach Worker to join our team. The B.R.A.G. DOE Program is a school-based services component designed to provide culturally competent programming to at-risk youth to reduce the likelihood of their involvement in violence in their school or community & increase their engagement at school as measured through attendance, academic progress, & other measures. The Safe Passages Outreach Worker (SPOW) assists the Mediation Specialist (MS) in providing attendance outreach & individual & group counseling to students & assists in implementing other aspects of the B.R.A.G./DOE partnership school program to promote the education & leadership goals of the students. The program can also include school-wide activities to help change the culture around violence & to assist schools in their response to incidents that occur in the school or community. Target participants should reside in or near the target Community-Based Violence Intervention (CVI) catchment area, & be selected based on their risk for, & previously documented engagement in, violence or other infractions in the school or community in consultation with the principal & the local CVI provider.

Reports to: ED-VOC/EMPLOYMENT COORDINATOR

Location: Jerome Avenue/Fordham/233rd/Boston Road, Bronx,

Hours: 20 hours/week, Non-Exempt

Salary: $22.85 - $24.50 per hour

Major Duties:

• Support the MS with at-risk youth in their efforts to demonstrate improvement in overall attendance and academic achievement & reduce incidents of violence or other infractions in school or within the community.
• Responsible for assisting the MS with a caseload of students, including maintaining their attendance & educational progress & providing regular individual counseling meetings.
• Aid the MS with attendance outreach, counseling & family support to help students attain a satisfactory attendance rate. This includes home or work site visits & requires use of public transportation & the ability to walk up stairs.
• The SPOW & MS, as a team, will provide Safe Passage activities during dismissal.
• The SPOW & MS will be available to facilitate conflict intervention & mediation during the school day in partnership.
• Support with student recruitment efforts, intake assessments & interviews.
• Work as part of a collaborative team of B.R.A.G./DOE faculty to support student progress.
• Provide crisis intervention, conflict mediation, & social-emotional support.
• Assist with referrals to outside resources, including CVI, employment, emergency shelter, day care & additional social & educational services.
• Ensure timely completion of documentation of work, statistics & ensure accuracy. Actively engage in individual & team use of data to inform practice.
• Help with program orientation for students & families at the school.
• Engage students’ families to support positive student outcomes; assist families with identified needs.
• Participate in staff meetings & development.
• In collaboration with MS & school faculty, develop & implement student enrichment & leadership activities.
• Back MS in providing students with job & career development activities such as resume & cover letter writing, preparing for job applications & interview & learning about positive work habits.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school graduation or equivalent & three years of experience in community work or community-centered activities in an area related to the duties as described.
• Experience & knowledge of at-risk & gang-involved young people, including skills for working effectively with high-risk teenagers & young adults.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, effectively & collaboratively with all levels of staff, program participants & community members.
• Proficiency with computers & hand-held devices, including the ability to use databases & common office programs.
• Ability to work a highly flexible schedule.
• Ability to walk 30 blocks & travel by public transportation.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.
• Experience working with adolescents, individually & in groups.
• Commitment to working as a member of an interdisciplinary school team.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based or youth & family development perspective.

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success. At Good Shepherd, we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity, and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference!

General Requirements: All staff are expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness and ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.