Job Abstract

The VOICE Program provides hospital-based intervention by promoting physical and emotional healing, resource linkage, and prevention of further violence and revictimization among individuals affected by traumatic injuries and violent crime. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to provide comprehensive support, community resources, and evidence-based interventions to empower survivors, reduce recidivism, and foster a safer environment within the community. By addressing the root causes of violence and engaging diverse stakeholders, we strive to break the cycle of violence, restore lives, and build a more resilient society.

Under direction, is responsible for engaging members of the community for the purpose of preventing violence and trauma and offering services to individuals seeking intervention assistance through the Youth Development Section at the Recreation and Parks Department; performs related duties as required.

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

Establishes relationships within the assigned area (as assigned by related Youth Development program) by canvassing, holding open house events, and going on location to sites where individuals in the community are engaged; interacts with the community as an individual and as part of various response teams;

Actively engages with individuals that have been involved in gang, teen/young adult, neighborhood, and family conflicts for the Neighborhood Violence Intervention process; assists in strategies to remove illegal guns from the community;

Actively engages with individuals and families following violent events such as assaults, non-fatal shootings, or homicides within assigned area to offer voluntary intervention programming; may assist teens and young adults or adults;

Intervenes with people, places, or behaviors to prevent violent activity while following stringent safety protocols for engagement;

Reaches out to individuals who are referred to the program through hospitals, police, courts, juvenile detention centers, schools, libraries, community networks, or self-referral;

Provides services that focus on moving participants forward with goal setting on job skills and other life skills; encourages educational or vocational training, family reunification, job readiness, behavior modification, community recognition of positive achievements, and community service; refers participants to additional community programs and resources such as for housing, food assistance, and utility assistance;

Communicates with supervisors verbally and through documentation regarding the progress of interventions within assigned area; collaborates with community safety initiative teams such as the Violent Crime Review Group (VCRG) and Community, Action, Resilience and Empowerment (CARE) Coalition;

Communicates with parents, school personnel, faith providers, or other individuals in the community to encourage goal attainment and reduction of risk behaviors by participants in the program;

Assists in city response to violence by arranging home visits and attending crisis response efforts;

Represents the Youth Development section at city events and community gatherings, which may include festivals, celebrations, funerals, vigils, marches, or wellness events; mitigates teen conflicts and promotes peace building in the community;

Utilizes tracking software to document and monitor progress for participants in the program; validates achievement benchmarks or milestones for participant incentive programs;

Collects and analyzes data on contacts with individuals and community groups, service linkage success, and evaluates program offerings;

Refers social, medical, or mental wellness concerns to appropriate agencies or licensed workers and provides information and resources to individuals that need the assistance;

Two (2) years of experience providing outreach to citizens, case management or intervention work with individuals with emotional or behavioral challenges, security experience (e.g. policing, corrections, school safety), assisting individuals with accessing healthcare, social, behavioral, or personal care services, or leading community improvement initiatives. Substitution(s): Significant coursework (12 semester/18 quarter credit hours) in social work, psychology, sociology, criminology, or related field may substitute for the experience requirement. Possession of a bachelor’s degree may substitute for the experience requirement.

Recruitment #: 24-3177-V2
Employment Type: Full-Time (Regular)

Should you have questions regarding this vacancy, please contact:

Ikea Haralson
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
1111 E Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
P: (614) 645-9665
E: INharalson@columbus.gov