Community Violence Prevention & Partnerships Manager

The grant-funded Community Violence Prevention & Partnerships Manager serves as the Hopewell Police Department's primary civilian leader responsible for planning, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating the city's community violence reduction strategy. This role manages the Safer Communities Program. It acts as the main liaison among the Hopewell Police Department, REAL LIFE, Project SAF, government agencies, community organizations, schools, healthcare providers, and residents to develop evidence-based, community-driven initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence, strengthening neighborhoods, and improving public safety.

Working with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Safer Communities Program, this role manages comprehensive violence prevention strategies that address the root causes of violence through prevention, intervention, education, workforce opportunities, trauma-informed services, credible messengers, and community engagement. The Community Violence Prevention & Partnerships Manager also oversees the development and implementation of Hopewell's first coordinated domestic violence perpetrator intervention program in partnership with REAL LIFE, recognizing the connection between community violence and intimate partner violence.

This grant-funded position reports to the Support Services Division and works with the Community Engagement Team while maintaining extensive collaboration with REAL LIFE's Project SAF team and community partners.

• Develop, implement, and oversee the City's comprehensive community violence reduction strategy.
• Coordinate citywide violence prevention initiatives that address both immediate violence interruption and long-term prevention.
• Help coordinate strategic planning among government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare providers, schools, faith organizations, and community leaders.
• Track new violence patterns and suggest evidence-based prevention methods.
• Ensure the implementation aligns with the priorities and objectives of the DCJS Safer Communities Program.

Serve as the main point of contact between the Hopewell Police Department and REAL LIFE's Project SAF initiative by:

• Coordinating collaborative violence reduction strategies.
• Supporting violence interrupters and life coaches.
• Participating in violence review and response meetings.
• Facilitating information sharing and coordinated responses among partners.
• Supporting outreach to individuals and groups at the highest risk for violence.
• Strengthening relationships between law enforcement and community-based organizations.

Lead the development of Hopewell's coordinated domestic violence prevention strategy by:

• Partnering with REAL LIFE to implement evidence-informed programming for individuals who have used violence in intimate relationships.
• Coordinating referrals from law enforcement, courts, probation, community agencies, and victim service providers.
• Helping develop community response protocols.
• Identifying opportunities for early intervention.
• Tracking program participation and outcomes.
• Supporting expansion of prevention efforts addressing family and interpersonal violence.

• Build strong relationships with neighborhood associations, residents, faith communities, youth organizations, schools, businesses, and community stakeholders.
• Hold community listening sessions and violence prevention forums.
• Coordinate educational events promoting violence prevention, conflict resolution, and community resilience.
• Build trust and promote collaboration between law enforcement and community members.
• Promote public awareness of available prevention and support…