Outreach Worker I & II, Alive & Free - YMCA - Greater Seattle

LOCATION: Seattle, WA

CLOSING DATE: August 27, 2020

OPPORTUNITY TYPE: Job

JOB #: 16139

POSTED: July 27, 2020

Description:

Overview:

Our Commitment to Equity
The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.
 

Job Summary

Outreach Workers locate and build relationships with youth involved in gangs, violence and the juvenile justice system and help youth connect to services. Outreach Workers also support youth impacted by incidents of youth violence. This role is a part of the Alive & Free violence prevention program of the Social Impact Center Y. Alive & Free builds meaningful relationships with youth involved in gangs, violence and the juvenile justice system and connects youth to people and services that help them stay Alive & Free.Core hours for the role are Monday - Friday with flexibility of night or weekend.
 

This position is at the Social Impact Center Y, the social services branch of YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS). The mission of the Social Impact Center Y is to accelerate young people’s ability to build safe, successful, and happy lives. Every year, we serve 5,000 children, youth, young adults, and families across King County with programs that aim to strengthen young people’s ability to develop to their fullest potential through four strategies: reducing risk factors; navigating systems towards successful life transition; ensuring stability, safety and wellness in times of crisis; and building competencies and social capital. The Social Impact Center Y’s programs include housing, behavioral health, foster care licensing, violence prevention, education, and employment. Many of the young people we serve have had involvement in the foster care, criminal justice system, and/or homelessness systems.

Responsibilities:

Build transformational relationships with youth, beyond connecting them to services, centered on motivating youth to positive change by doing the following:

1. Identify and meet youth who require services to reduce their involvement in violence, gangs and the juvenile justice system in locations where crime and youth activity are high.
2. Locate youth using street outreach strategies, including home visits and community networking.
3. Meet with youth in community-based locations the required number of times/length of time each week to build rapport and positive, coaching relationship.
4. Conduct and complete assessment on each youth to determine risks, needs, and goals.
5. Inform youth about community-based services that address their self-identified needs, goals and barriers and help youth engage in services and opportunities offered by community partners.
6. Meet with partner agencies on behalf of and/or with youth.
7. Retain youth by providing culturally responsive access to opportunities and resources, supporting youth through their enrollment in services, helping youth address and remove barriers when they encounter them.
8. Visit youth in institutions, including schools and justice facilities.
9. Observe and track community violence, tension and gang conflicts and communicate information in real time to supervisor, appropriate safety agencies and to Outreach Team in regularly scheduled meetings.
10. Be available as needed, including during weekends and evenings, to respond to the needs of the community after incidents of youth violence. This can include supporting youth in detention, the hospital, or at vigils.
11. Provide de-escalation and mediation as required.
12. Promote safety and peace at community events.
13. Enter accurate, timely data into client database.
14. Maintain, track, and submit accurate records, including calendar, and forms for assessments, enrollments, exits, reimbursements, and all contacts with clients.
Skills/Eligibility:

Qualifications:

  • Experience working with gang /juvenile justice-involved youth in a professional or volunteer capacity (less than 2 years for Outreach Worker I; 2+ years for Outreach Worker II)
  • Personal experience overcoming barriers that the program’s client population is currently facing, including involvement in gangs and the criminal justice system
  • Strong ties to the local community and existing relationships with community members
  • Familiar with gangs/group activity in the target community and has the skills to work effectively with high-risk teenagers and young adults.
  • Comfortable and willing to work in high-risk community settings at nontraditional hours. Available to participate in evening and weekend work activities.
  • Experience serving diverse communities (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.)
  • Knowledge of local agencies’ programs and services (schools, social services, law enforcement, courts/corrections), local units of government, and grassroots organizations
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Access to reliable transportation required
  • Valid, current WA state driver’s license, insurance and YMCA defensive driving class required
  • Personal, professional, educational, volunteer, and non-traditional experiences are all relevant. We intend to evaluate each candidate’s transferrable skills to determine if a candidate is qualified for a position.
 
ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Ability to speak a language in addition to English.

Starting pay rate: $18.30/Hr.

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