Outreach Worker

Outreach Worker (Peacekeeper)

The City of Stockton is searching for two Outreach Workers to join our team. Only those applicants who best fit the needs of the City will be referred to the hiring department. Applicants who fail to fully complete the on-line application/supplemental questionnaire will be subject to rejection. Supplemental questions are required to be considered for this position.

This is a full-time, at-will (unclassified/unrepresented), limited, grant-funded position ending June 30, 2029. Applicants who fail to fully complete the on-line application/supplemental questionnaire will be subject to rejection. Supplemental questions are required to be considered for this position. Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.

Under the direction of the Outreach Supervisor and the Office of Violence Prevention Manager, the Outreach Worker (Peacekeeper) is responsible for establishing trust with the community and specifically with individuals, groups, and neighborhoods at the highest risk of gun violence to help prevent shootings and retaliatory violence. Outreach Workers solicit high-risk individuals to become clients for receiving services and case management.

As a member of a team, the Outreach Workers prevent violence by modeling prosocial behaviors, engaging clients in positive activities and supporting clients through a shift in mentality. Outreach Workers also connect clients to services, education and jobs through the intensive case management process; performs related work as assigned.

Outreach Workers (Peacekeeper) provide outreach and intensive case management efforts to individuals, groups, and neighborhoods at the highest risk of gun violence. This class is distinguished from Outreach Supervisor, which is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the program.

Principal duties (illustrative only):

• Works with partners such as law enforcement agencies, community-based organizations, the faith community, relevant City of Stockton and San Joaquin County agencies, and school officials.
• Forms relationships with individuals, groups, and neighborhoods at the highest risk of gun violence, as well as the individuals in their support networks.
• Work to intervene in circumstances in which gun violence is likely, including possible retaliation.
• Conduct outreach to the community (individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with high-risk individuals, residents, businesses, and community groups.
• Provide clients with intensive case management, including daily client contact and coaching as well as support and linkages to programs and opportunities in the community (e.g., job programs, GED, drug treatment, and mentoring).
• Participate in weekly strategic planning, to include research of shootings to identify and diffuse "hot spots" for shootings and violence. Also assist in mediating situations and preventing retaliation between individuals and groups (e.g., working with the community, outreach programs and local law enforcement).
• Attend and help facilitate and plan community events and shooting responses.
• Maintains basic records and prepares simple reports regarding work performed.
• Performs related tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/

Experience:

Possession of a High School Diploma or GED; and one (1) year of experience working with high-risk populations providing intervention and diversion services. Possession of an Associate in Arts degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in counseling, social services, or a related field is preferred.

• Must possess a valid California Class "C" driver's license.
• Must pass a detailed background investigation.

Knowledge of:

• An in-depth knowledge of City of Stockton and County; demographics, culture and population;
• Writing clearly, accurately, concisely, legibly, and with correct grammatical construction and spelling;
• Specific problems and issues, service needs, perspectives, and lifestyle patterns of high-risk, gang-impacted, and/or gang-involved individuals;
• Techniques and strategies for working with diverse populations and individuals; best practices in gang intervention and harm reduction;
• General office practices, including operation of standard office equipment, including a computer terminal;
• Basic interviewing methods and principles; and
• Safety practices and procedures related to the work.

Skill in:

• Interacting effectively within diverse cultural communities and with a variety of public and private agencies, including public school officials, law enforcement, community-based and nonprofit organizations, and other city, county, state, and federal agencies;
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions;
• Expressing self clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Utilizing computers to prepare and maintain…