Job description

Position: Street Outreach Worker

Reports to: Violence Prevention Supervisor

Department: Administration

Rincon Family Services (RFS) is a not-for-profit community organization, established in 1972 to combat the epidemic use of heroin and violence that were dismantling communities throughout Chicago. RFS is dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs that promote the quality of life by serving as a catalyst to advocate, educate, and empower individuals and their families.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Identify and connect individuals at the highest risk of harming someone or being harmed by firearm violence to programming. Organizations will analyze and use data to identify and connect individuals who will most benefit from firearm violence prevention services. Identification and connection can occur through a variety of methods, including but not limited to street outreach and partnerships with schools, and law enforcement. Participants can also be connected to programming by community residents and community organizations. Providers will screen individuals for participation in violence prevention services if they meet at least one of the criteria below:

• Active street involvement

An association with or a reputation or key role (influencer) in or a family history of activity or involvement in an historically marginalized group that is disconnected from mainstream economy and/or social services and is or has participated in illegal activity. * Justice-system involvement Recently released from jail, prison, or/other detention facility (e.g., Cook County Jail, Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) facilities, Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), or

• Prior arrest(s), charge(s), or conviction(s) for violent felonies (e.g., homicide, aggravated battery, armed robbery, weapons charges)

• Previous victimization and trauma associated with community violence Recent victim of violence, or
• Family/friend of recent victim of violence
• Exhibits violent behavior (includes online)

Aggressive or violent behavior and/or threats of violence

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Provide comprehensive evidence-based firearm violence prevention services.

Street Outreach: Street outreach workers will be employed to mediate conflicts and prevent retaliatory violence between those who are at risk to commit or becoming the victims of firearm violence. Street outreach workers will engage with high-risk individuals in a variety of settings, including parks, homes, street corners, community centers, schools, hospitals, etc. Street outreach efforts are typically conducted in the afternoons, evenings, or late at night.

• Engagement and support of individuals and groups at highest risk of harming someone or being harmed by violence
• Reclaiming public spaces for safe activities
• Responding to critical incidents, such as shootings and homicides, to de-escalate tension and reduce/address threats of Violence
• Available to be on-call crisis to respond to shooting incidents 24 hours per day, seven days per week to receive notification of shooting incidents from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) Crime Prevention and Information Center (CPIC).
• Crisis staff must respond in person to the incident within one hour and document the CPIC notification, the time it was received, the response time, and the outcome.
• Support victims and their families by providing immediate basic needs services (food, clothing, etc. and providing/linking to necessary resources to address trauma, mental health, etc. to stabilize the individual/family.
• Conduct proactive peace building activities such as restorative justice practices, event outings, and peace circles when applicable
• Mediate and resolve conflicts between street groups or individuals harmed by violence
• Make referrals for additional, non-emergency services and support for the victim and family to preserve stability.
• Street outreach workers will carry a case load maximum of 15 participants at any given time.
• Street outreach workers will be required to maintain an activity log, outlining types and numbers of outreach activities conducted.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Good communication skills (verbal and written.
• Participate in training or co-facilitate training in Emergency Preparedness techniques (violence, fire, tornado, etc.)

OTHER REQUIRED ABILITIES:

• Fluent in Spanish, bicultural applicants strongly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients, and groups.
• Desire to learn new skills.
• Knowledge of surrounding community.
• Ability to follow instructions and seek supervision, as necessary.
• Ability to write detailed reports and gather relevant information to support reports.
• Attention to details,
• Available to work on-call 24/7 as needed
• Available to work afternoon, night and late hours as needed
• Knowledge of Violence and crime in the two communities
• Knowledge the root causes of firearm violence, including historically racist systemic politics and practices where appropriate.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients, and groups.
• Ability to be flexible

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: available to work flex hours which will include late hours and sometimes overnight. Being able to deal with families that may be dramatized and need immediate comfort and assistance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This is not an office 5-7 position and will require street outreach that will be affected by the weather, cold, rain, late nights, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must pass a background check
• High School Diploma/GED required. Bachelor’s degree preferred or significant experience working with high-risk, street-involved individuals and violence prevention.
• Firsthand knowledge of community and knowledge of current street conflicts are required.
• Valid IL Driver’s License, insurance and good driving record.
• Excellent verbal communications skills and ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Experience or training in crisis intervention preferred
• Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practices
• Experience working on a team

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Night shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Chicago, IL 60618: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60618

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