CVI Part Time Violence Interrupter

YWCA Northeast Kansas is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We provide transformative services in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking, Community Violence Interruption, before- and after-school programming, and leadership and inclusion initiatives.

Job Classification: Non-Exempt, Part-Time

Work Schedule: Approximately 24 hours per week. The schedule will be determined through mutual agreement between the employee and supervisor, with an anticipated schedule of three, eight-hour shifts per week.

Reporting Relationship: Program Manager

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Violence Interrupter engages with individuals at the highest risk of perpetrating violence and those who are most likely to be victimized in Topeka. The Violence Interrupter identifies and mediates potential conflicts, works to reduce retaliatory incidents, and internally refers individuals who are living in the chaos of violence to reduce their risk and increase safety for them and their families. The Violence Interrupter identifies individuals through street outreach, hospital referrals, victim services programs, and community-based organizations, and coordinates service provision with community partners to help address participants identified goals and needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Engaging and Supporting Participants

• Operates from a trauma-informed lens that properly supports those who may have been traumatized.
• Immediately identifies potential escalating conflicts and engages all parties involved in conversations to mitigate potential violence.
• Immediately works to reduce the likelihood of retaliatory incidents.
• Accepts internal referrals from outreach staff and coordinates referrals to necessary services for participants.
• Sets goals with participants and monitors progress in accordance with individualized service plans and program expectations.
• Reaches out consistently to the highest-risk individuals and successfully engages them in services.
• Demonstrates supportive behavior and role models positive, appropriate interactions.
• Maintains communication and contact with assigned participants based on individualized service plans and program expectations.

• Works with participants on violence prevention and risk reduction skills (i.e., anger management, conflict resolution, decreasing violent behavior, being mindful about their networks, and other life skills).

• Assists and encourages participants to become involved in positive activities such as arts, employment, and recreation.
• Uses a strengths-based approach to engage participants in strategies that improve participation in needed services.
• Documents service delivery for participants and mediations as outlined in program requirements. 
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Community Relations

• Establishes and maintains relationships with local service providers, faith institutions, victim services programs, hospitals, and community-based organizations to strengthen referral sources and support participant safety.
• Attends community meetings, neighborhood discussions, and other job-related community activities as a representative of the organization, consistent with program needs and the employee’s work schedule.
• Works collaboratively with community partners to identify resources that address participants’ goals and reduce risk factors connected to violence.

Professionalism and Work Conduct: 

• Conducts themselves with integrity and demonstrates high ethical standards that are consistent with the organization’s values.
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with participants, their families, and coworkers.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers. 
• Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when sharing feedback and ideas with others.

Professional Development: 

• Attends regular supervision, team meetings, required training, and other professional workshops to enhance job skills.
• Sets annual developmental goals with supervisor to meet learning needs and interests, while also enhancing job performance and skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

At minimum, the Violence Interrupter must have relevant lived, professional, or volunteer experience working with high-risk individuals, community violence interruption, street outreach, youth development, reentry, victim services, or related human services. Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.

• Demonstrated ability and proficiency to do this work through a screening process.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications: 

• Experience working in high-risk communities and high-risk individuals.
• Knowledge of local community resources (services providers, programs)
• Understands trauma-informed practice.
• Dedication to relationship building and a commitment to working as an integral part of a team, while exercising significant initiative and autonomy.
• Commitment to the YWCA mission and values, including a strong focus on racial equity and social justice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Environment: Office, off-site, and community-based settings.
• Lifting Requirement: 25 pounds.
• Travel in the local community.
• Valid driver’s license, transportation, and auto insurance.
• Pass various background checks.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a resume to [email protected]. Applicants will be required to pass the identified screening process prior to hiring.

NON DISCRIMINATION

YWCA Northeast Kansas is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and trauma-informed workplace. We recognize that systemic inequities impact many aspects of society, and we strive to address these through our policies, practices, and organizational culture. We believe that diversity in all its forms strengthens our mission and our work.

We do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. No question on our application is intended to secure information to be used for such discrimination.

We are also committed to fair hiring practices, including the consideration of qualified applicants with criminal records, in line with applicable laws and our values of second chances and community reintegration.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds — including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; immigrants and refugees; LGBTQIA+ individuals; people with disabilities; gender-diverse individuals; survivors; and members of other historically underrepresented communities.