Program Specialist, Community Violence Reduction Initiative

Community Family Advocates

Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Full Time

Job Description

Program Specialist, Community Violence Reduction Initiative

Overview

Join us in the critical mission of reducing community gun violence as a Program Specialist on the Justice Collaborations Teams within Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS). Drive impactful change by fostering community engagement with diverse stakeholders, supporting the implementation of evidence-based violence reduction strategies and leveraging your expertise to create safer and stronger communities. We are looking for 2-3 individuals with connections to the communities in Allegheny County most impacted by gun violence and ideas for quality improvement to support a team that oversees and administers Allegheny County’s Community Violence Reduction Initiative (CVRI).

CVRI includes a variety of public health approaches aimed at reducing community violence in several high priority communities in the county. The Program Specialists will work directly with select CVRI provider organizations to ensure violence intervention and prevention activities are effective and meaningful. The Program Specialists will report directly to the CVRI Senior Program Manager and work collaboratively to convene implementation teams, monitor progress, engage the community, and keep stakeholders routinely informed.

Within the Community Violence Reduction Initiative (CVRI), there are three broad scopes of work:

Intervention programs within highly impacted communities including

Five Cure Violence sites (Sto-Rox, Wilkinsburg & Penn Hills, South Hilltop, Woodland Hills and Mon Valley)
Three ACTES sites (Sto-Rox, South Hilltop, and Woodland Hills)
One Hospital-based Violence Intervention program (works county-wide)

Prevention programs within and across highly impacted communities including

Eight Becoming a Man (BAM) sites embedded in high schools
Two providers of Survivor Support Groups (works county-wide)

Coordination across highly impacted communities including

Rapid Response Protocols and Weekly Homicide & Shooting Reviews
Five Community Quarterback sites (Sto-Rox, Wilkinsburg & Penn Hills, South Hilltop, Woodland Hills and Mon Valley)
One County-wide convener

The CVRI Program Specialists will be situated within the Justice Collaborations team. In Allegheny County, the Justice Collaborations team is leading efforts to enhance community-led public safety, safely reduce arrests and incarceration, and improve community-based connections to care for individuals who have or might otherwise touch the criminal legal system. The team collaborates with other DHS stakeholders, credible messengers, service providers, and criminal legal system partners to identify, plan, implement and evaluate promising new strategies as well as systems-change efforts.

Key Responsibilities

All Program Specialists will have the following responsibilities:

Develop fluency in discussing CVRI, and support consistent messaging among providers and partners about evidence-based best practices for reducing gun violence
Develop materials for and facilitate project management and Community of Practice meetings with contracted providers and follow up on action items as needed
Support development of monitoring plans for contracted providers
Administer monitoring plans, as developed, including conducting announced and unannounced site visits to contracted provider sites and other quality assurance activities
Support providers in collecting and reporting high-quality data and work with DHS analysts to understand data and needs for quality improvement
Submit monitoring reports to Senior Program Manager and collaborate to develop strategies for improvement as needed
Support development of training plans for CVRI program sites as needed
Coordinate trainings and site visits (meeting logistics, supplies and materials, communication with relevant stakeholders, facilitation)
Participate in trainings to advance knowledge on evidence-based practices and monitor contracted provider staff participation in training
Demonstrate support for and ensure quality of provider-sponsored community events as is feasible and appropriate
Participate in county-wide collective meetings and add project management capacity in working groups as is needed and feasible
Collaborate with other CVRI staff and the Justice Collaborations team to support County-wide priorities, such as high-risk identification and case conferencing
Collaborate with community organizations, local government agencies, law enforcement, schools, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders
Participate in CVRI team meetings, Justice Collaborations team meetings and supervisory meetings on agreed upon cadence
Review and approve monthly invoices for contracted providers
Program Specialists will become proficient in a specific facet of the CVRI ecosystem with additional responsibilities based on their area of focus:

Intervention

The Intervention Program Specialist will apply the responsibilities outlined above in working with providers contracted to offer Cure Violence within highly impacted communities and Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program county-wide. This Program Specialist will also:
Prepare materials used to facilitate weekly Homicide and Shooting Reviews
Work non-traditional hours in order to observe Intervention programs that operate in the evening or on weekends

ACTES and Employment Coordination

The ACTES and Employment Coordination Program Specialist will apply the responsibilities outlined above in working with providers contracted to offer the Achieving Change through Transitional Employment Services (ACTES) program within and across highly impacted communities. This Program Specialist will also:
Identify external partners to support ACTES Level 4 (job training and placement programs)
Support ACTES sites in placing participants in job training programs or unsubsidized work opportunities
Coordinate with ACTES employer of record to onboard transitional job sites and troubleshoot challenges with ACTES sites, as needed.

Prevention and Resource Coordination

The Prevention and Resource Coordination Program Specialist will apply the responsibilities outlined above in working with providers contracted to offer the prevention programs within and across highly impacted communities. This Program Specialist will also:
Coordinate with DHS program offices and other community-based sites to resolve specific resource and human services needs of participants and program staff
Consider mental health and wellness needs of CVRI staff and identify partners and opportunities to address these needs
Support Program Specialists and Outreach Specialist in planning, coordinating, and facilitating training based on needs of contracted providers

Education/Experience Requirements:

At least three years of demonstrated experience in program monitoring, implementation, and/or management, preferably in violence prevention or community-based interventions
Bachelor's degree in social work, public health, criminal justice, or a related field (relevant experience may substitute for education)
Advanced skills in building and managing relationships, written and verbal communication, time management and problem solving
Ability to work with high-risk populations and people with complex needs
Ability to work independently and autonomously

-OR-

· Any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required. DHS honors a wide range of professional and academic experiences as valid pathways to employment in local government. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to consider how their work, volunteering, and community experiences, even if not directly related to this role, can help demonstrate the previously listed skills and qualifications. Lived experience is highly valued. Please provide a cover letter that is customized for this role. Applications lacking a tailored cover letter will not be considered.

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