Youth Violence Reduction Specialist (TEMPORARY)

Northern Children's Services Wins the 2026 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award and the 2026 Top Workplaces Professional Development Award For more information, visit https://topworkplaces.com/company/northern-children-s-serv/

NOTE: This is a temporary position. 30-35 hours per week

Join our team as a Youth Violence Reduction Specialist (YP3 Coordinator) and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families!

Are you passionate about supporting the healthy development of children, youth, and families for a brighter future?
Look no further! At Northern Children’s Services (Northern), every role in the organization contributes to helping us achieve our mission and vision.
We believe that every child and youth has the potential to transform themselves – no matter their background or life situation.
We work to “walk the talk” when it comes to our organizational values: Excellence, Respect, Resilience, Cultural Humility & Justice, Healing, and Wellness. 

Why Choose Us? As a Youth Violence Reduction Specialist (YP3 Coordinator), you’ll embark on a fulfilling journey. 

• Leadership Opportunity
• Supportive Environment
• Empowerment and Progress
• Effective Communication
• Empowerment Through Planning
• Continuous Monitoring and Progress
• Documentation Excellence
• Networking and Collaboration

SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Director of Youth and Safety and Prevention, the Youth Violence Reduction Specialist will design, implement, and facilitate violence prevention and intervention programs for youth in schools and onsite at Northern Children’s Services. This role aims to reduce youth violence by addressing its root causes, promoting positive behavioral changes, and educating youth on career development, financial literacy, community mapping, and trauma-informed care. The specialist will collaborate with school administrators, community leaders, and other stakeholders to create a safe and supportive environment for young people.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Program Development and Implementation

• Follow the YES curricula and activities addressing youth violence causes, such as peer pressure, bullying, gang involvement, career development, financial literacy, and trauma-informed care.
• Group facilitation for aged 11-24 year-old youth.
• Prepare for all groups in schools and onsite at Northern Children's Services.
• Contact and schedule guest speakers that align with the curriculum activities.
• Conduct group sessions and workshops for youth in schools and at the agency.
• Assist youth in transitioning to IBHS employment (if applicable).

Trauma-Informed Behavior

 Ability to exhibit:

• Willingness to learn and maintain the value of a trauma-informed culture
• Commit to the maintenance of a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety, nonviolence, and resilience as the basis for all we do with clients and staff and our Resource Parents
• Knowledge and utilization of trauma-informed practices:
• Emotional intelligence
• Effective communication
• Understanding of the impact of trauma on human development
• Use of person-first, strengths-based language

Facilitation

• Facilitate group discussions and activities that promote conflict resolution, communication skills, and problem-solving.
• Utilize a trauma-informed approach in all interactions with youth.

Collaboration and Outreach

• Collaborate with school staff, parents, and community organizations to support youth and ensure the effectiveness of programs.
• Conduct outreach to engage youth and families in violence prevention programs.
• Represent the agency at community meetings, events, and other forums.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitor and assess the progress of program participants.
• Ensure the Pre and Post-test and all other Assessments are completed promptly.
• Administer, collect, aggregate, and analyze pre-, mid-, and post-program surveys and assessments for each group.
• Upload information into Apricot database
• Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of programs.

Professional Development

• Stay current with best practices in youth violence prevention and intervention.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

III. SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of the factors contributing to youth violence.
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds and age groups
• Familiarity with best practices and current trends in Youth Development and Leadership
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The role involves working in various settings, including schools, community centers, and the agency’s office.
• Flexible working hours may be required to accommodate the needs of youth and community events.

COMMUNICATION

• Engage with youth and families, providing empathetic listening and emotional support.
• Incorporate youth and family voices into violence reduction projects and related activities.
• Provide youth and families with information about child-serving systems (e.g., children’s behavioral health) and other communities.

DOCUMENTATION

• Create attendance and sign-in sheets for each group.
• Prepare reports and provide feedback to stakeholders on program outcomes.

VII. NETWORKING

• Connect community members to support needed for trauma healing and further care resources.
• Identify, visit, and develop relationships with community resources (e.g., after-school programs, summer camps, mentoring programs).
• Attend inter-agency team meetings, etc.
• Represent the agency at conferences, training, and interagency meetings.
• Ensure that the consumer keeps all appointments (parents, teachers, school, etc.) by coordinating with appropriate personnel.

VIII. OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Education, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with youth, preferably in violence prevention or a related field.
• Experience in group facilitation and counseling.
• Lived experience with the community behavioral health system in Philadelphia, as well as exposure to violence.

1. BASIC SKILL SETS

• A self-starter with community connections and experience engaging community members.
• Comfortable talking with individuals on the phone and in person.
• Flexible, patient, and calm; willing to learn.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and workflow management skills.
• Strategic and creative thinker who can transform ideas into action.
• Effective communicator with the ability to expand the agency’s visibility, influence, and impact.
• Comfortable speaking in front of others.
• Skilled at recognizing and creating opportunities and leveraging resources.
• Strong management, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact positively.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from varied groups, including the media.
• Ability to calculate numbers accurately, such as addition, subtraction, and percentages.
• Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
• Strong computer and pertinent software programs proficiency.

SPECIAL SKILLS

• Familiarity with multiple child-serving systems (e.g., education, juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, drug and alcohol, health care, vocational rehabilitation).
• Driver’s license with comfort driving a large mobile unit if needed.
• Ability to complete projects promptly.

XII. PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to walk up and down steps.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Ability to operate a calculator or computer.
• Current valid driver's license. This position requires travel throughout the City of Philadelphia.
• Requires flexible work schedule, some evening and weekend hours.

Trauma-Informed Principles
Northern Children’s Services is committed to fostering a therapeutic environment rooted in safety, nonviolence, and resilience. Our policies are guided by trauma-informed principles, ensuring that we create a supportive and healing atmosphere for clients and staff.
A trauma-informed approach recognizes that past experiences, including trauma, can significantly impact a person’s behavior, emotions, and interactions. Therefore, we strive to:

• Use emotional intelligence: Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively: Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
• Understand trauma’s impact: Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences, not just the present moment.
• Apply person-first, strengths-based language: Focus on people’s strengths and abilities rather than defining them by their challenges (e.g., saying "a person experiencing homelessness" instead of "a homeless person").

By adhering to these principles, we ensure that our workplace is not only effective but also compassionate and inclusive for everyone.

Americans with Disabilities: As with all positions at Northern Children’s Services, Inc. we recognize the importance of accommodations individuals with disabilities. In that, we are committed to every extent possible accommodating disabled individuals. We recognize the American With Disabilities Act of 1991 and understand the need to reasonably accommodate employees. All accommodation will be evaluated on case- by- case basis, evaluating the essential functions of the positions.

DISCRIMINATION IS PROHIBITED IN EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTION, ASSIGNMENT OR DISMISSAL, ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, and HANDICAP, OR RECEIPT OF SERVICES FOR MENTAL DISABILITY.