Street Outreach Worker

Gary Comer Youth Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Gary Comer Youth Center seeks a Street Outreach Specialist to support violence prevention and crisis response in the Greater Grand Crossing area. This frontline role requires rapid medical and safety response, outreach to high-risk individuals, and collaboration with the Emergency Response Team.

Responsibilities include on-site outreach, restorative mediation, documentation in Salesforce, and ongoing community engagement with training in CPR, Narcan, and Stop the Bleed.

Qualifications

• Salesforce, Microsoft Outlook, mobile case management systems experience.
• Strong community ties to Greater Grand Crossing area or surrounding neighborhoods.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and on-call rotations.

Responsibilities

• Outreach & Emergency Response: respond to violence incidents, perform proactive street outreach, and recruit participants for services.
• Mediation & Restorative Practices: mediate disputes and facilitate peace circles with restorative justice principles.
• Documentation & Administration: maintain incident reports and case notes in Salesforce; manage communications via Outlook.
• Community Presence & Training: attend events, maintain certifications in CPR, Narcan, Stop the Bleed.

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Chicago , IL 60619

Salary Range: $41,600.00 - $41,600.00 Salary

Position Summary: The Street outreach Specialist is a critical frontline role dedicated to violence prevention, conflict mediation, and community healing within the Greater Grand Crossing area. This position focuses on interrupting cycles of violence by engaging high-risk individuals and providing immediate crisis intervention. As a core member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT), the Outreach Worker must be mobile and ready to provide rapid-response support at hospitals and crime scenes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Outreach & Emergency Response (40%)
   • Rapid Crisis Response: Serve on the Emergency Response Team, responding to immediate incidents of violence at hospitals and crime scenes.
   • Street-Based Presence: Conduct proactive outreach in parks, transit stops, and local businesses, primarily during afternoon and late-evening hours.
   • Engagement: Identify high-risk individuals and build rapport to recruit them for services and mentorship.
2. Mediation & Restorative Practices (30%)
   • Conflict Resolution: Mediate disputes between individuals or groups using restorative justice principles to prevent retaliation.
   • Peace Circles: Create safe spaces for participants to address harm and work toward peaceful resolutions.
   • Follow-up: Provide sustained intervention and long-term support for resolved conflicts.
3. Documentation & Administration (15%)
   • Salesforce: Maintain accurate daily incident reports, participant case notes, and outcome data within the Salesforce platform.
   • Outlook: Manage all professional communication, team meetings, and scheduling via Microsoft Outlook.
   • Intake Assistance: Support Case Managers with participant intakes, ensuring all documentation is trauma-informed and accurate.
4. Community Presence & Training (15%)
   • Representation: Attend community events, peace circles, and safety convenings to increase program visibility.
   • Ongoing Development: Maintain annual certifications in CPR, Narcan administration, and "Stop the Bleed".

Qualifications

• Mandatory Requirements
  • Licensing: Possession of a valid driver’s license in good standing is mandatory.
  • Transportation: Possession of a reliable, working vehicle is mandatory for this position to ensure immediate response to emergency calls, hospital deployments, and community outreach.
  • Vetting: Willingness to undergo a comprehensive background check.

Required Skills & Experience

• Technical Proficiency: Comfort using digital tools including Salesforce, Microsoft Outlook, and mobile case management systems.
• Community Connection: Strong ties to the Greater Grand Crossing area or surrounding neighborhoods.
• Lived Experience: Understanding of challenges faced by the community, such as trauma, justice system involvement, or street affiliation.
• Flexibility: Ability to work a non-traditional schedule, including evenings, weekends, and on-call rotations.

Working Conditions

• Environment: Field-based, often in high-risk areas, requiring physical and emotional resilience.
• Support: Access to regular team supervision and self-care opportunities to manage the impact of vicarious trauma.