Violence Intervention Coordinator / Program Specialist II
About the Office
The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) is a division of the City of St. Louis created in July 2022 whose purpose is to act as a coordinating body for the City’s efforts to create safe and healthy neighborhoods free of violence. The office works with community based organizations, government bodies, and healthcare systems on a public health approach to addressing violence. OVP coordinates partners and provides strategic direction and oversight for various citywide Community Violence Intervention (CVI) initiatives, including but not limited to the following:
- Supportive Re-entry services that deliver support to individuals returning to the community from the criminal legal system in a trauma-informed, anti-racist, evidence-based, client-centered, participatory, community-driven, and collaborative fashion, which emphasizes the clients’ right to self-determination through flexible, non-punitive, and low-barrier service provision.
- Crisis Response work that builds on, but does not rely on, existing emergency services such as 9-1-1, with an aim to prioritize the use of non-law enforcement responses and interventions when most appropriate to address the social, health, and mental health needs of individuals and communities.
- Youth Diversion work that will expand resources available to justice-involved youth and their families to positively impact St. Louis communities and enhance public safety.
About the Role
The City of St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) seeks a Violence Intervention Coordinator / Program Specialist II (office title subject to change) to assist contracted violence interruption staff with conflict mediation services. The person in this role will serve as a conduit for these contracted staff with the goal of reducing gun violence (neighborhood shootings and killings) through the use of public health strategies.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with others to intervene in circumstances in which gun violence is likely, including possible retaliation.
- Learn about the causes of shootings/killings in order to assist in mediating situations and preventing retaliation between individuals and groups (e.g., working with the community, outreach programs to gain information that may be helpful in preventing additional killings)
- Form relationships with the highest risk people in the community, as well as the people who know them
- Conduct outreach to the community to build strong relationships with youth, residents, businesses, and community groups
- Participate in organizing responses to shootings and increasing visibility when shootings/killings take place
- Work with community partners to identify and diffuse “hot spots” for shootings and violence
- Document and maintain appropriate records of contacts with high-risk individuals
- Document shootings and other acts of violence that are prevented
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- A high school diploma or GED plus 2 years of experience de-escalating and mediating firearm related conflicts and working with victims and perpetrators involved
- Experience working with youth and/or adults involved in violence (or at a high risk of being a victim or perpetrator)
- Personal experience in overcoming violence/ incarceration / violence-related injuries/ gang involvement / the criminal justice system
- An in-depth knowledge of St. Louis City
- Knowledge of the street sets, crews, gangs and or violent groups
- Experience or training in crisis intervention is preferred
- Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends and holidays
- Able to pass a drug screening
- No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence
Required Skills
- Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills
- Ability to adapt to various settings and populations
- Skills in negotiation, collaboration and conflict management
Salary Range: $36,686 - $54,782
To Apply: To submit an application on the City jobs website, please visit: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/personnel/jobs/job-detail.cfm?job=7230&detail=1
As part of the application, qualified candidates will be required to submit a writing sample documenting their mediation experience(s).