Outreach Specialist, Violence Interruption

Position Description

Education:

• High school diploma or GED, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire date.

Experience:

• At least six (6) months to one (1) year of experience working with high-risk individuals of diverse backgrounds.

• Must be considered a credible messenger/trusted resident in one of the areas that we are serving (Sunnyside, South Park, Greater OST/S Union, or Cypress Station).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience supporting and working with at-risk individuals and street involved youth / young adults and developing individualized plans for at-risk residents; awareness of trauma reactions

• Experience working with people from various ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds both as colleagues and as clients

• Experience documenting case notes

• Experience developing and retaining relationships with other service providers

• High level of interpersonal skills and conflict resolution skills and ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form

• Crisis intervention training or knowledge

• Knowledge of Harris County communities with histories of violence; credibility in Cypress Station area in unincorporated Harris County.

Core Competencies:

Organizational Leadership

• Understands the organizational mission

• Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust

• Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others

Collaboration

• Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission

• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group

• Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs Innovation

• Ability to adapt to change

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect

• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner

• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses

• Uses sound judgment

• Self-motivated

• Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity

Communication

• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Requirements

Harris County Public Health has earned the 2023 Best Place for Working Parents Business Designation.

About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 700 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

Position Overview:

Under the Direction of the office of Community Health and Violence Prevention, the Outreach Specialist will work closely with a portfolio of participants who have been directly or secondarily affected by violence to provide emergency support services case management, crisis intervention, support and advocacy. The outreach specialist will intervene and mediate conflicts, provide mentorship for participants and connect participants to services that address their individual unique needs. In addition, the outreach specialists are responsible for developing relationships with partner organizations and building "warm referral" network for linkage. Outreach specialist will provide referrals to partner organizations for domestic violence, intimate partner shootings and/or homicides, and other services related to violent incidents and / or address the root causes of violence. Outreach specialist will play a critical role in helping community members understand patterns of violence. Also, they will provide emotional and trauma informed support to victims, perpetrators, their families, and community members. The Outreach specialist must be a credible messenger with established relationships in the target communities of Sunnyside, South Park, and South Union/Greater Old Spanish Trail (OST) with individuals at the highest risk to be involved in violent incidents.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide mentorship, support, and services for individuals at the highest risk of being a perpetrator or victim of violence

• Provide direct case management and emergency support services to individuals, and their families, involved in violence incidents

• Provide immediate crisis response to victims, perpetrators, and their families after a shooting or homicide, responding to the community and hospitals to provide immediate supportive services.

• Provide support and advocacy to the victims of violence and their families through home visits, phone calls, justice advocacy, and referrals to other support organizations

• Coordinate and facilitate educational forums, family and group support sessions, trainings and other gatherings and develop relationships with partner organizations and build "warm referral" network for linkage

• Provide referral to partner organizations for domestic violence and intimate partner shootings and/or homicides

• Document client contacts and services provided and assist program manager with data collection and required reporting

• Work with participants to identify and address safety concerns and create a plan for long term safety and well-being and other duties as assigned.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Language:

• Bilingual in Spanish

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time | Regular

• Monday through Friday | 11am to 8pm

• Days and times will involve working evenings and weekends due to the nature of the work

• Days and hours will depend on the needs of the community and division.

Work Environment:

• No pending criminal cases

• The Harris County Public Health Community Health and Violence Prevention Division is a drug free and safe workplace, passing a drug screening and background check is required prior to being hired

• Candidate must have a valid driver's license, vehicle insurance and good driving record; and feel comfortable engaging in community-based services

Physical Demands:

• This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time.

Work Location:

• 1111 Fannin St, Houston TX 77002

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.

The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage

• Dental Coverage

• Vision Coverage

• Wellness Plan

• Life Insurance

• Long-term disability

• Employee Assistance Program

• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service

• Accrual rates increase based on years of service

• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday

• Professional development opportunities

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• Healthcare Reimbursement Account

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedule (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

https://benefitsathctx.com/

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree or higher

• None of the above

02

If you do not have a high school diploma or GED, are you able to obtain within 12 months of hire date.

• I already have a high school diploma or GED

• Yes, i am able to obtain a high school diploma or GED within 12 months of hire date

• No, i am not able to obtain a high school diploma or GED within 12 months of hire date

03

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience working with high-risk individuals of diverse backgrounds? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than six (6) months

• Six (6) months or more but less than one (1) year

• One (1) year or more

• I do not have this experience

04

Please provide details about your verifiable experience working with high-risk individuals of diverse backgrounds. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.]

05

Are you considered a credible messenger/trusted resident in one of the areas that we are serving (Sunnyside, South Park, Greater OST/S Union, or Cypress Station)?

• Yes

• No

06

Do you have experience documenting case notes?

• Yes

• No

07

If you answered yes in regards to the previous question(s), please describe your verifiable experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications. (Type N/A if not applicable)

08

Are you bilingual in fluent Spanish and English?

• Yes

• No

Required Question

Agency Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx