Program Specialist - Credible Messenger Job Nashville area,Tennessee USA,Social Work

The full-time Credible Messenger position is funded by the Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) grant which ends September 30, 2027. The Credible Messenger uses trusted community relationships to help prevent interpersonal and community conflicts from escalating and helps connect people at high risk of being impacted by violence to support. This non-supervisory position reports to the CVIPI program supervisor and engages with the Behavioral Health and Wellness Division Community Safety intervention teams.

A credible messenger in violence interruption uses trusted community relationships - often grounded in lived experience to help prevent conflicts from escalating and connect people at high risk of violence with support. Common duties include:

Build and maintain respectful, consistent relationships with participants and community members.
Identify emerging disputes and, when trained and safe, help mediate conflict and reduce the risk of retaliation.
Conduct outreach to people at high risk of being involved in violence.
Connect participants to services such as counseling, housing, education, employment, or health care, and follow up on referrals.
Encourage nonviolent ways of resolving conflict and support community efforts to shift norms around violence.
Coordinate with the intervention team and follow its safety, confidentiality, documentation, and supervision procedures.

Essential Job Functions

Conducts daily outreach in neighborhoods most impacted by violence with the purpose to build rapport and trusted community relationships with residents;
Community outreach

Engages as a Credible Messenger team to identify and enroll a minimum of 100 young adults, ages 16 to 24 years of age at high risk of experiencing impacts from violence in the CVIPI program.

Identifies emerging interpersonal and community disputes and, when trained and safe, helps mediate conflict and reduce the risk of retaliation.

Connects enrolled participants and interested residents to social determinants of health services such as counseling, housing, education, employment and/or health care; maintains accurate and timely documentation of all program activities.

Completes other duties as assigned to meet grant deliverables and advance the mission and vision of the Metro Public Health Department.

Any combination of education and experience that would prepare the incumbent to perform the duties of the position at the appropriate level.

Experience in community outreach, social work, or a related field.
Training in conflict resolution, mentorship, or advocacy.
Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of one or more behavioral, social or related sciences.
Skill in working with the public.