Outreach Worker - Stand Up SA (Grant Funded)

Job Summary

Under general supervision, is responsible for working with community-based organizations to implement the Cure Violence model. Cure Violence is a coordinated strategy to resolve community tensions in San Antonio. Alternatively, may be assigned to Public Health AmeriCorps grant-funded initiatives in San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD). Skilled Outreach Workers are crucial to the success of these initiatives. Exercises no supervision.

This position will provide supportive services to crime victims and their family members. The Outreach Worker is a mentor, life coach, positive role model, advocate, and mediator for people involved in gangs. The overall goal is to keep the peace and prevent further shootings and deaths.

This position is a "grant funded" position, therefore unclassified and has no disciplinary appeal rights to the Municipal Civil Service Commission. This position is likewise subject to at-will employment status and can be terminated at any time for any reason.

Essential Job Functions

• Educates, informs, and gains trust of the community to implement health programs and initiatives.
• Works in a multicultural environment and with diverse populations.
• Participate in assigned trainings.
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.
  Cure Violence Model:
• Mediates and resolves community tensions by doing all that is required as an individual contributor and as a team member to prevent violence in the assigned neighborhoods.
• Intervenes between disputing groups to address issues and concerns causing conflict and tension.
• Maintains familiarity with group dynamics, youth engagement and development strategies, and best practices in delinquency prevention/intervention.
• Develops an understanding of the cause of violent events and strategies to stay better informed.
• Provides case management through appropriate referrals for individuals to enhance their assistance and use of opportunities and programs in the community.
• Responds to and works with local communities to diffuse violence when the situation requires it.
• Tends to community responses as needed.
• Develops relationships with key leaders in the community.

Job Requirements

• Experience working and living in communities with High risk individuals and/or high risk youth.
• Must obtain a valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License within sixty (60) days of employment.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent (recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency).
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Candidates with prior criminal history but may not currently be under criminal justice supervision.
• Extensive experience working with at-risk youth and gang members.
• Can speak knowledgeable and credibly about overcoming challenges such as neighborhood violence, gang involvement, criminal activity, or other justice system matters.
• Knowledge of the techniques and methods to assess relations between groups of people.
• Knowledge of techniques used to resolve biases and tensions between groups.
• Skill in communicating clearly and effectively with community members and co-workers.
• Skill in interacting with at-risk youth related to gun violence and gang violence.
• Skill in relating to people who have experienced community violence and gang activity.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to establish mutually respectful partnerships with various community and ethnic groups.
• Ability to work in tense environments and emergency situations with volatile people.

• Unless otherwise stated, applicants are permitted to substitute two years of related full-time experience for one year of higher education or one year of related higher education for two years of experience in order to meet the minimum requirements of the job. One year of full-time experience is defined as 30 or more hours worked per week for 12 months. One year of higher education is defined as 30 credit hours completed at an accredited college or university.
• Applicants selected for employment with the City of San Antonio in this position must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing and background checks. If required for the position, a physical, motor vehicle record evaluation, and additional background checks may be conducted.
• Please be advised that if selected for this position, information regarding employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position will be needed for employment verification. Applicants claiming military service to meet the experience requirement for this position may attach a DD214 to the application.
• If selected for this position, official transcripts, diplomas, certifications, and licenses must be submitted at the time of processing. Unofficial transcripts and copies of other relevant documents may be attached to the application for consideration in advance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the assigned programs and initiatives.
• Knowledge of various communities, social groups, and organizations within the city.
• Skill in using a computer and basic office equipment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Ability to establish mutually respectful partnerships with various community and ethnic groups.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Ability to perform all the physical requirements of the position, with or without accommodations.
• Ability to work inside and outside with occasional exposure to extreme weather conditions, hostile people, and emergency situations.

• Knowledge of the techniques and methods involved in accessing intergroup relations.
• Knowledge of techniques used to resolve biases and intergroup tensions.
• Ability to work in socially tense and volatile environments.