Violence Prevention Specialist Jobs

Organizational Overview
Since 1981 CHRIS 180 has been dedicated to healing and recovery for children, youth, adults, and families and is a growing $40 million organization with over 400 employees. CHRIS 180 services include counseling for the community at large; school-based mental health counseling; comprehensive wraparound services; homes for abused, neglected foster children with emotional and behavioral problems who are in state custody and for unaccompanied children in federal foster care; supportive housing for single and parenting young people, ages 17 – 24 who are homeless or aging out of foster care; in-home services and community programs that strengthen families; outreach, drop-in and community housing for older teens, young adults and families with children experiencing homelessness; services in community centers and partnerships with afterschool providers; an adoption program for children in foster care; teen and gun violence reduction programming; and, training for professionals, human service workers, educators, volunteers, individuals who work within the community, in hospitals, other organizations and with children, youth, adults, and families. All services aim to unlock the potential that resides in each person to help them build resiliency and become self-sufficient, contributing adults who have the skills to navigate life’s challenges. Numerous partnerships support this work.
Program Overview
The school-based mental health program works in partnership with many schools to provide on-site counseling and support. The program serves students of all ages, from pre-k through 12 th grade, with a mental health diagnosis and in need of help that goes beyond the scope of what the school can provide. The school-based mental health program offers behavioral health assessments, diagnostic verifications, service plan development sessions, individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, community support, case management, and psychiatric services to students in need. CHRIS 180 counselors work closely with the caregivers of students being served. They also work closely with school administration and teachers, to provide psychoeducation about diagnoses and offer strategies for how to manage behaviors in the school environment. Counselors also deliver trauma-informed training where appropriate
Position Description
The Violence Prevention Specialist will be a part of a special initiative focused on reducing violence in schools and promoting conflict resolution among student bodies. The Violence Prevention Specialist will work with 10-20 schools on a variety of initiatives including but not limited to: hosting student discussion groups, delivering teacher training, facilitating school-wide prevention activities, building Peace Corners in classrooms, developing a “Peace Patrol” where possible, and creating and delivering other imaginative, innovative activities to reduce violence in our community. The Violence Prevention Specialist must be able to think outside of the box, develop and utilize creative engagement strategies, demonstrate outgoing/pro-social skills, have the willingness to speak publicly, host group discussions and meetings, deliver psychoeducation and trauma-informed training, work semi-independently, and demonstrate a passion for improving our community. This is a new position and will require flexibility as we embark on new endeavors to see what activities are most effective. Superb communication skills, both in writing and verbally, are highly preferred as this person will be working with a variety of entities including other CHRIS 180 personnel and departments, school teachers and administrators, families, and the community at large. Light to moderate data collection and working collaboratively to provide report-outs on grant deliverables are also required. General clinical knowledge about working with youth and families is preferred. The Violence Prevention Specialist reports directly to a Clinical Program Manager of School-Based Mental Health.
The primary duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Attend and participate in required training as scheduled
• Demonstrate Customer Service;
• Support and maintain an environment of emotional and physical safety for clients, staff, and other stakeholders at all times
• Attend and participate in staff meetings as scheduled
• Support the creation and implementation of training for students and/or teachers as needed
• Maintain confidentiality of client information
• Support with discussion group topic development and facilitation
• Respond to requests for information from stakeholders in a timely fashion
• Ability to be present at special events for setup and breakdown assistance (back-to-school events, pep rallies, parent nights, student activities, etc)
• Maintain Personal Information and Training;
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Work as a contributing and collaborative team member
• Review, understand and respond to program policies
• Follow the CHRIS 180 Code of Ethics
• Follow the mandated reporting requirements of GA Code
• Support Leadership with reports and special projects
• Ongoing Responsibilities
• Answer telephone calls and emails accordingly
• Promote a positive image of CHRIS 180 programs at all times
• Remain up-to-date on current school-specific and district-wide policies
• Report changes in status to HR as required by policy
• Performance and Conduct
• Work with the assigned Manager to ensure grant deliverables occur on the proposed timeline
• Support with administrative tasks as needed specifically required reports for grant
• Maintain relationships at designated schools.
• Development of projects, ideas and activities for summer programming/opportunities to keep initiative alive during “off-season”.
• Provide documents in a timely fashion to Human Resources
• Maintain required certifications
• Respond to client and peer needs in a timely fashion
• Facilitate student groups around psychoeducation and violence prevention

Benefits we offer:

• Dental Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Health Savings Account
• Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D
• Paid Time Off
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Insurance
• Flex Spending Account
• 403 (b) plan

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Qualifications/Competencies
The Violence Prevention Specialist must possess a bachelor's degree preferably in social work or a related field. The Violence Prevention Specialist must have experience working in the human services field. Preferred experience with working within school systems, working with people who have experienced trauma, or experience working with under-resourced communities.
Schedule
The Violence Prevention Specialist is a full-time position, 40 hours per week. This position primarily requires in-person services at a variety of Atlanta Public Schools. Reliable transportation is required and mileage outside of the average daily commute is reimbursable. Some flexibility with the ability to telework where appropriate and when approved by the Manager.