Gang Alternative Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

BUILDing Girls 2 Women Specialist (BGWS) (40 hours, Full-time), Exempt

BUILD, Inc. (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) is presently seeking a committed, self-motivated, and innovative individual to join our team. BUILD is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based on Chicago's West Side. Since 1969, BUILD has worked to save lives and mentor young people who live in the city's most challenging neighborhoods. When you work at BUILD, you make an important difference to the thousands of youths and families we serve.

Our Core Values: Empathy, Passion, Persistence and Innovation.

Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development (BUILD, Inc.) is seeking a committed, self-motivated, enthusiastic professional to join the Clinical and Community Wellness team in the role of BUILDing Girls 2 Women (BG2W) Specialist. Since 1969, BUILD has worked in some of Chicago's toughest neighborhoods giving at-risk youth alternatives to the violence that takes away their positive potential. Applying our model of positive youth development, BUILD seeks to redirect the behavior of gang-affiliated youth and potential gang recruits to improve their chances of leading fulfilling lives and to increase the stability and safety of the communities in which they reside. 

The BUILDing Girls 2 Women Specialist is responsible for effectively engaging female-identified youth in-school and community through: 

• In-school and/or after-school activities to identify concerns, seek solutions, mediate disputes, demonstrate restorative methods and best practices as alternatives to traditional disciplinary consequences and encourage education. 
• Conduct an Individual Assessment of Strengths & Needs and collaborate with the therapist to identify individual treatment goals. 
• Establish and maintain rapport with youth who have experienced trauma and encourage them to engage in behaviors that will deter limiting or destructive behaviors toward themselves, others, and community assets. 
• Facilitating external referrals, follow-through/support. Recognizing the vicarious trauma of staff working with crisis-oriented youth. 
• Maintain and establish healthy relationships with school Personnel & Staff 

The BUILDing Girls 2 Women Specialist reports directly to the Manager of School-based Mentorship. 

Responsibilities include: 

Youth Work/Youth Development 

• Exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of the agency. 
• Identifies and recruits' participants for caseload. 
• Conducts intake, assessment, and treatment planning for each participant. 
• Works in partnership with assigned BUILDing Girls 2 Women Therapist. 
• Delivers BUILDing Girls 2 Women Curriculum. 
• Works within the target schools/sites to mediate disputes among female identified youth and de-escalate situations as needed. 
• Attends IEP meetings, school meetings, disciplinary hearings, and teacher conferences. 
• Assists participants in re-enrolling in school after detention, if applicable. 
• Identifies and refers participants to part-time employment, if applicable. 
• Conducts home visits on participants. 
• Collaborates with other programs within the agency. 
• Identifies needs of youth and provides referrals, as needed, both internally and externally. 
• Operate professionally in the field on a flexible time schedule, which includes late evenings and weekends. 
• Performs other job-related duties as requested, required and/or assigned. 

Documentation and Compliance: 

• Collect baseline and year end data on academic, interpersonal, and pro social behaviors. 
• Submits data reports to BG2W Manager monthly for ongoing reporting. 
• Maintains documentation compliance as required with CIS database. 

Communication and Relationship Management: 

• Represents the agency to various publics to broaden community awareness and support, interpreting the agency's programs and services. 
• Provide public relations and promotional activities related to the agency in coordination with appropriate administrative staff. 

Other: 

• Attends departmental and agency-wide staff meetings, as scheduled and agency-wide events, as required. 
• Maintains current knowledge in the field including but not limited to, participation in coursework, seminars, and workshops. 
• Maintains current knowledge of the agency's theories, methodologies, and best practices. 
• Participate in agency-wide fundraising events 
• Participates in agency wide fundraising events 
• Encourages participant/community participation in agency wide fundraising events

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Non-Profit Management, or related field experience required. 
• Minimum three years' experience working with inner-city youth in a human service setting, social service setting, or related field. 
• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. 
• Maintain respectful and appropriate relationships with program participants, all levels of agency staff and the various publics of the agency, demonstrating sensitivity to all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds. 
• Highly organized with excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. 
• Proficiency with technology integration into daily program operations and evaluation systems. 
• Must be willing to travel daily. 
• Must be passionate about youth development work. 
• Must pass extensive background check and screening. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.  
• As of October 15, 2021, all BUILD employees are required to submit proof of full vaccination status. 

Benefits:

• 401(k) plan + 2% match
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation
• Wellness Days
• Flexible Spending Accounts

BUILD, Inc., does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically prohibit employment. Rather, BUILD Inc. considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
 

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.  
 

This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment