CVI Outreach Worker

YWCA Northeast Kansas; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA Northeast Kansas is seeking an Outreach Worker in Topeka to engage with individuals at the highest risk of perpetrating violence and those most at risk of victimization. You will coordinate services with external providers, accept internal referrals, and maintain weekly contact to ensure safety for families.

The role requires autonomy in the field, collaboration with the Director of Violence Prevention, and a commitment to trauma-informed practice and community outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• High school diploma/GED with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience serving high-risk communities and knowledge of local resources.
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice.

Responsibilities

• Engage with high-risk individuals in Topeka to reduce violence risk.
• Accept referrals and coordinate services with external providers.
• Maintain weekly contact and document service delivery.
• Promote trauma-informed approaches and safety planning.
• Represent the organization at community meetings.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a human services field

High school diploma or GED with 4+ years of relevant experience

Job description

YWCA Northeast Kansas is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We provide transformative services in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking, Community Violence Interruption, before- and after-school programming, and leadership and inclusion initiatives.

Job Classification:Exempt, Full-Time

Work Schedule:This position will require work on days, evenings, and weekends

Reporting Relationship:Director of Violence Prevention

Work Environment:This position requires work off-site and in the community. This position may require the transportation of participants and/or their children.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Violence Prevention, the Outreach Worker engages with the individuals at the highest risk of perpetrating violence and those who are most likely to be victimized in Topeka. The Outreach Worker accepts internal referrals from the outreach staff of individuals who are living in the chaos of violence to reduce their risk and increase safety for them and their families. The Outreach Worker coordinates service provision for participants and their families with external providers to ensure that their needs are being addressed. The position works autonomously in the field while maintaining consistent communication with the Director of Violence Prevention.

RESPONSIBLITIES

Engaging and Supporting Participants

• Operates from a trauma-informed lens that properly supports those who may have been traumatized.
• Sets goals with participants and monitors progress every month.
• Coordinates referrals to necessary services for participants.
• Maintains communication and contact with each participant every week, at a minimum.
• Coordinates activities for program participants.
• Works with participants on violence prevention and risk reduction skills (i.e., anger management, conflict resolution, decreasing violent behavior, being mindful about their networks, and other life skills).
• Using a strengths-based approach engages participants in strategies to improve participation in needed services.
• Assists and encourages participants to become involved in positive activities such as arts, employment, and recreation.
• Documents service delivery for participants as outlined in program requirements.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Community Relations

• Establishes and maintains relationships with local service providers and faith institutions to enhance community relations and strengthen referral sources for participants.
• Attends community meetings (i.e., elected officials’ meetings, beat meetings, community discussions) and serves as a representative of the organization.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Conducts themselves with integrity and demonstrates high ethical standards that are consistent with the organization’s values
• Always acts professionally and maintains appropriate boundaries with participants.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when sharing feedback and ideas with others.

Professional Development

• Attends regular supervision, team meetings, required training, and other professional workshops to enhance job skills.
• Sets annual developmental goals with supervisor to meet learning needs and interests, while also enhancing job performance and skills.

Other Position Functions

• Refrains from assuming any duty that is unrelated to and/or interferes with the responsibilities of the position.
• Develops, promotes, and practices teamwork and open communication in all activities.
• Assists in maintaining the operational functions of YWCA Northeast Kansas headquarters, including serving as a substitute for the front desk when needed.
• Advocates, promotes, and practices cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in day-to-day interactions.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor and CEO. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee holding this position.

QUALIFICATIONS

At minimum, the Outreach Worker must have a bachelor’s degree in a human services field with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in child welfare, youth development, street outreach, or reentry, or a high school diploma/ GED with a minimum of four (4) years of experience in child welfare, youth development, street outreach, or reentry. In addition, the Outreach Worker shall have:

• Experience working in high-risk communities and high-risk individuals.
• Knowledge of local community resources (services providers, programs)
• Is open and respectful of the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Understand trauma-informed practice.
• Demonstrated ability and proficiency to do this work through a screening process.
• Dedication to relationship building and a commitment to working as an integral part of a team, while exercising significant initiative and autonomy.
• Commitment to the YWCA mission and values, including a strong focus on racial equity and social justice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Travel Requirements:
  • Travel in local community.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Transportation.
  • Auto insurance.
• Pass various background checks.

APPLICATION PROCESS

NON DISCRIMINATION

YWCA Northeast Kansas is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and trauma-informed workplace. We recognize that systemic inequities impact many aspects of society, and we strive to address these through our policies, practices, and organizational culture. We believe that diversity in all its forms strengthens our mission and our work.

We do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. No question on our application is intended to secure information to be used for such discrimination.

We are also committed to fair hiring practices, including the consideration of qualified applicants with criminal records, in line with applicable laws and our values of second chances and community reintegration.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds — including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; immigrants and refugees; LGBTQIA+ individuals; people with disabilities; gender-diverse individuals; survivors; and members of other historically underrepresented communities.