Violence Prevention Specialist - CHRIS 180

Program Overview

The school-based mental health program works in partnership with many schools to provide on-site counseling and support. The program serves students of all ages, from pre-k through 12^th grade, with a mental health diagnosis and in need of support that goes beyond the scope of what the school can provide. The school-based mental health program offers behavioral health assessments, diagnostic verifications, service plan development sessions, individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, community support, case management, and psychiatric services to students in need. CHRIS 180 counselors work closely with the caregivers of students being served. They also work closely with school administration and teachers, to provide psychoeducation about diagnoses and offer strategies for how to manage behaviors in the school environment. Counselors also deliver trauma-informed trainings where appropriate.

Position Description

The Violence Prevention Specialist will be a part of a special initiative focused on reducing violence in schools and promoting conflict resolution amongst student bodies.  The Violence Prevention Specialist will work with 10-20 schools on a variety of initiatives including but not limited to:  hosting student discussion groups, delivering teacher trainings, facilitating school-wide prevention activities, building Peace Corners in classrooms, developing a “Peace Patrol” where possible, and creating and delivering other imaginative, innovative activities to reduce violence in our community. The Violence Prevention Specialist must be able to think outside of the box, develop and utilize creative engagement strategies, demonstrate outgoing/pro-social skills, have a willingness to speak publicly, host group discussions and meetings, deliver psychoeducation and trauma-informed trainings, work semi-independently, and demonstrate a passion for improving our community.  This is a new position and will require flexibility as we embark on new endeavors to see what activities are most effective.  Superb communication skills, both in writing and verbally, are highly preferred as this person will be working with a variety of entities including other CHRIS 180 personnel and departments, school teachers and administrators, families, and the community at large. Light to moderate data collection and working collaboratively to provide report outs on grant deliverables is also required. General clinical knowledge about working with youth and families is preferred. The Violence Prevention Specialist reports directly to a Clinical Program Manager of School-Based Mental Health. The primary duties include but are not limited to the following:

•  Ongoing Responsibilities
  • Maintain relationships at designated schools.
  • Work with assigned Manager to ensure grant deliverables occur on proposed timeline
  • Facilitate student groups around psychoeducation and violence prevention
  • Support with administrative tasks as needed, specifically required reports for grant
  • Remain up-to-date on current school specific and district wide policies
  • Support the creation and implementation of trainings for students and/or teachers as needed
  • Support with discussion group topic development and facilitation
  • Ability to be present at special events for setup and breakdown assistance (back to school events, pep rallies, parent nights, student activities, etc)
  • Support Leadership with reports and special projects
  • Development of projects, ideas and activities for summer programming/opportunities to keep initiative alive during “off season”.

• Performance and Conduct
  • Maintain confidentiality of client information
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
  • Follow the CHRIS 180 Code of Ethics
  • Follow mandated reporting requirements of GA Code
  • Support and maintain an environment of emotional and physical safety for clients, staff and other stakeholders at all times

• Demonstrate Customer Service;
  • Promote positive image of CHRIS 180 programs at all times
  • Work as a contributing and collaborative team member
  • Respond to client and peer needs in a timely fashion
  • Answer telephone calls and emails accordingly
  • Respond to requests for information from stakeholders in a timely fashion

• Maintain Personal Information and Training;
  • Attend and participate in staff meetings as scheduled
  • Attend and participate in required trainings as scheduled
  • Maintain required certifications
  • Review, understand and responsible to program policies
  • Provide documents in a timely fashion to Human Resources
  • Report changes in status to HR as required by policy

Qualifications/Competencies

The Violence Prevention Specialist must possess a Bachelor’s degree preferably in social work, or a related field. The Violence Prevention Specialist must have experience working in the human services field. Preferred experience with working within school systems, working with people who have experienced trauma, or experience working with under-resourced communities.

Pay Range: $42,000.00 to $46,000.00

Benefits we offer:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flex Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• 403 (b) plan
• Paid Time Off

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Schedule

The Violence Prevention Specialist a full-time position, 40 hours per week.   This position primarily requires in-person services at a variety of Atlanta Public Schools. Reliable transportation is required and mileage outside of average daily commute is reimbursable.  Some flexibility with the ability to tele-work where appropriate and when approved by Manager.