Cure Violence Outreach Worker

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is seeking qualified individuals to implement the Cure Violence initiative, a coordinated strategy to address violence within the Walnut Park neighborhood.

The Outreach Workers are a key ingredient to the success of this initiative and are instrumental in helping to facilitate positive behavior change amongst high-risk individuals and groups.

The Outreach Worker will stop shootings by doing all that is required individually and in a team to prevent all shootings in the neighborhood assigned, including:

• 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

Full participation in Cure Violence, which includes:

• Anticipating and responding to Outreach Supervisor's requests and needs
• Continuously keeping the Outreach Supervisor informed as to what is going on (this includes: what is going right, what is going wrong and anticipating what might go wrong)
• Work as a member of a team work together to ensure that shootings are reduced
• Conducting outreach to the community (individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with youth, residents, businesses, and community groups
• Identifying youth who are gang members and those at-risk for joining gangs and intervening in their lives through case management to aid in solving current problems and preventing future ones.
• Serve as linkages and support for individuals to enhance their assistance and use of opportunities and programs in the community (job programs, GED, drug treatment, and mentoring)
• Advocate for youth through court testimonies, when necessary
• Participate, as necessary, in organizing responses to shootings and increasing visibility when shootings/killings take place (developing networks with other outreach program workers to coordinate an inclusive and strategic response)
• Investigate causes of shootings/killings to assist in mediating situations and preventing retaliation between individuals and groups (working with the community, outreach programs and local law enforcement to gain information that may be helpful in preventing additional killings) and provide documentation
• Work closely with management towards development of the Violence Prevention Plan
• Identify and diffuse "hot spots" for shootings and violence
• Document shootings and other acts of violence prevented
• Respond to shootings in other communities, when necessary
• Document detailed client case notes and other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience working with high risk youth and gangs/clicks/crews
• Must be a credible/suitable and respected individual in the target area
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience or training in crisis intervention
• Knowledge of target area
• Valid Missouri driver's license, insurance, and good driving record
• No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for domestic violence (within 10 years) or prior convictions for sexual assault or child abuse.

Current Openings for Cure Violence Outreach Worker Jobs at Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis