SC2 Outreach Worker

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 27,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K plan

Life insurance

Job summary

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago invites applications for a Street Outreach Worker as part of the SC2 Austin initiative in Chicago. You will build trust with high-risk individuals, defuse conflicts, and guide participants toward nonviolence, supported by best-practice training and Kingian principles.

The role includes field visits, reporting, and teamwork with a multidisciplinary staff. Compensation is commensurate with experience, with an average salary up to $45,000 and a strong benefits

Qualifications

• High-school diploma or GED required.
• Willingness to learn and commit to nonviolence and trauma-informed practices.
• Ability to travel between neighborhoods and community sites served by the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain relationships to reduce shootings and violence in assigned neighborhoods.
• Develop relationships with high-risk individuals and the people they know to support nonviolence.
• Respond to incidents and defuse conflicts; assist in mediation and case management handoffs.
• Document daily efforts and activities, including case notes and mediations.
• Engage with community members and partners to promote nonviolence initiatives.

Skills

Mediation / conflict resolution

Community outreach

Driver with access to vehicle

Education

High-school diploma or GED

Job description

About the SC2 Collaborative

Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2) is an innovative public-private initiative uniting practitioners, philanthropy, business and government to implement and test new approaches to addressing violence in seven Chicago communities experiencing high levels of violence. Through collaborative coalitions, SC2 strengthens access to five integrated and evidence-based services in full-implementation communities: Street Outreach, Case Management, Behavioral Health, Education and Employment.

The Institute is serving as the hub for the SC2 initiative in the Austin community. The SC2 Austin Collaborative came together under SC2's hypothesis that if at least 75% of individuals in the Austin community at highest risk of violence are reached, then there will be fewer shootings and homicides and, through spill-over effects, the overall environment of physical safety will change. This unprecedented level of coordination, alignment, and investment in direct service provision to the highest risk individuals in Austin is a five-year initiative which started in 2024.

POSITION OVERVIEW

A street outreach worker responds directly to active conflicts and shootings in our target areas and works to defuse tension, engage in mediations between impacted parties and prevent retaliatory shooting/violence. This position requires developing relationships with high-risk individuals who are most likely to be shot or be a shooter themselves with a goal of guiding them in their journey away from violence. Supported by training in the national best practices for street outreach as well as Dr. King's principles of nonviolence, a street outreach worker carries a caseload of participants, engages with them regularly and completes all necessary data/reporting requirements. This position is part of the SC2 Austin initiative, and the outreach worker will be asked to serve a specific underserved area of the Austin community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

Comprehensive Violence Reduction Strategy

• Create and maintain relationships to reduce shootings and violence in the neighborhood(s) assigned, including:


• Develop relationships with high-risk persons and the people they know to support the practice of nonviolence and reduce shootings and homicides


• Seek to obtain advanced warning for when shootings and violence may occur in the communities assigned and work to prevent the violence from escalating


• Safely intervene in conflicts in which violence is likely, including retaliations


• Seek to address the root causes of violence in a conflict


• Work assigned neighborhood to build strong community partnerships based on trust and transparency, with the understanding that community members should know the nonviolence approach and become ambassadors


• Make sure to maintain strong communication among staff


• Participate in staff trainings


• Document community events and activities related to violence


• Document daily efforts and activities as well as those of your participants, including but not limited to case notes, daily logs and mediations

Outreach Crisis Response

• Support 24-hour incident response coverage in assigned neighborhoods


• Respond to shootings and homicides within our target neighborhoods


• Defuse violent incidents and prevent retaliatory shooting/violence


• Work in partnership with the multidisciplinary team to support the well-being of community members impacted by violence


• Identify youth who are street-involved and prepare/transition them to case management to receive needed wraparound services and support their service plan


• Work with Institute staff to formulate action plans to resolve conflicts, support victims and build relationships with the involved groups


• Support the mediation process to end existing and newly created conflicts


• Identify, develop and implement strategies to engage in-risk street-involved youth


• Document strategies and progress towards goals

Community Engagement

• Engage community members, families, community organizations, community youth and other stakeholders who have been impacted by violence to build strong relationships


• Participate in passing out public education material in the community, ie. canvass


• Cultivate relationships with community residents


• Facilitate/participate in community events relating to nonviolence and/or supporting efforts


• Collaborate with parks, schools, community-based organizations events to foster strong relationships between Nonviolence Chicago and the community


• Plan, implement and attend a safe space strategy ("Light in the Night") aimed at reducing potential violence during late or nighttime hours

Requirements

• High-school diploma or GED


• No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence


• Driving is required for this position. Candidates must have a valid driver's license, consistent access to a reliable vehicle, and current vehicle insurance.


• The ability to travel between neighborhoods and community sites served by the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is essential.


• Knowledge of Chicago neighborhoods, specifically the Austin community, and the fundamental drivers of violence


• Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice and trauma-informed practices to create safer communities


• Ability to understand and follow safety/security practices


• Ability to accept feedback and constructive criticism


• Ability to work in high pressure situations


• Maintain a standard of high integrity and a high level of confidentiality

Salary & Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is up to $45,000.

• Competitive benefits package available, including Health, Life, and 401K.

About Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago's mission is to end the cycle of gun violence in Chicago using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s principles and teachings of nonviolence. Informed by a philosophy of nonviolence, Nonviolence Chicago will establish caring and sustained relationships with participants engaged in the cycle of violence. We will emphasize partnerships with community members, leaders, social service providers, and local law enforcement to reduce community levels of violence. We will help create a safer, healthier environment for young adults, youth, and their families. These general approaches will be specifically addressed using five major methods: Community Violence Intervention (CVI) / Street Outreach, Individualized Service Provision, Victim Support Services, Behavioral Health and Nonviolence Training.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.