Street Outreach Advocate

Description

About Us

A Safe Place is committed to creating a violence-free society through prevention, intervention, and survivor-centered services. Through community-based, trauma-informed programming, the organization works to support individuals and families impacted by violence and to reduce risk factors associated with firearm violence across designated communities in Illinois.

Position Summary

The Street Leaders Coordinator provides trauma-informed services to youth, families, and community members impacted by firearm violence while serving in a leadership and mentoring role for frontline staff. This hybrid position balances direct service delivery with coordination, mentorship, and program support responsibilities. The role supports high-quality service delivery, client continuity, and collaboration across departments and community partners while advancing A Safe Place’s violence prevention mission.

The Street Leaders Coordinator engages individuals at the highest risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of firearm violence, mediates conflicts to prevent retaliatory violence, and responds to critical incidents within designated community areas, including North Chicago and Waukegan, Illinois.

Essential Job Functions

• Engage and support individuals and groups at high risk of violence involvement
  
• Provide trauma-informed support to victims, families, and community members
  
• Mediate and resolve conflicts to prevent retaliatory violence
  
• Respond to critical incidents, including fatal and non-fatal shootings, to de-escalate tension and address threats of violence
  
• Participate in on-call crisis response to shooting incidents, including in-person response and required documentation
  
• Provide immediate hospital-based support and advocacy for individuals impacted by violence
  
• Conduct client assessments and develop case plans addressing identified needs
  
• Provide violence prevention psychoeducation to youth, families, and community members
  
• Maintain a caseload of up to 15 participants
  
• Track outreach activities, engagements, and services provided through required logs and documentation
  
• Enter timely and accurate case notes and program data for reporting purposes
  
• Make referrals to non-emergency services and supports to promote client stability
  
• Support Victim Advocates and Case Managers through mentoring, service guidance, and documentation support
  
• Collaborate with coordinators and directors on service strategy and quality assurance
  
• Participate in peace-building activities, including restorative justice practices, peace circles, and community events when applicable
  
• Engage with community partners and participate in community meetings and initiatives
  
• Develop and maintain resource partnerships and referral networks
  
• Assist with grant-related documentation, metrics tracking, audits, and required reporting
  
• Attend required department meetings, staff meetings, client reviews, and training sessions
  
• Complete required training and technical assistance associated with grant-funded programming
  
• Perform additional duties as assigned by leadership
  

Work Schedule and Expectation

• Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Community-based work within designated areas, including North Chicago and Waukegan, Illinois
• Outreach activities may occur in a variety of settings, including parks, homes, street locations, community centers, schools, hospitals, and other community sites
• Outreach efforts are typically conducted during afternoons, evenings, or late-night hours
• On-call crisis response required, including 24/7 availability for shooting incident notifications
  

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, or related field.
• Bilingual Spanish is required.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of extensive experience in victim services, with the capability to respond immediately to acts of violence through an on-call component, will be highly considered.
• Familiarity with domestic violence dynamics and survivor challenges.
• Experience in crisis intervention, case management, or advocacy.
• Strong trauma-informed skills, communication, and conflict resolution abilities.
• Effective time management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Familiarity with electronic medical records is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and active auto insurance required.

Travel & Mileage

Local travel may be required for meetings, training sessions, or community collaborations.

Mileage reimbursement is provided in accordance with organizational policy and calculated from the employee’s primary work assignment location.

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive a comprehensive benefits package, which may include health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plans; paid time off; holidays; and employee assistance programs, in accordance with agency policy.

Probationary Period

All employees are subject to a ninety (90)-day introductory period beginning on the first day of employment.

Employment At-Will Statement

Employment with the agency is at-will. This means that either the employee or the agency may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) & Non-Discrimination Statement

The agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.