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Form of workAgency Summary
The Office of Public Health and Safety works to address the root causes of crime and addictions and aims to reduce violence in Indianapolis neighborhoods. The office convenes public safety and public health agencies along with community partners to execute focused policy efforts in the areas of food security, re-entry, homelessness, violence reduction and behavioral health.
Job Summary
The Chief Violence Prevention Officer for the Community Violence Reduction Team (VRT) of the Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS) is responsible for implementing and overseeing the City's approach to Violence Prevention in conjunction with the Community Violence Reduction plan/city's non-law enforcement violence reduction efforts aimed at reducing and preventing violent crime in Indianapolis neighborhoods. This position will work alongside the Chief Violence Reduction Officer positions and will oversee the alignment of the community-based crime reduction strategy with community led programs working with crime prevention/intervention. This position will be required to work alongside the equivalent positions under the Indy Public Safety Foundation (IPSF). The overall program model will be trained and evaluated to fit into the evidence-based crime reduction model.
They will work directly with the Indianapolis Foundation/CICF to build services and relationships with the Elevation Grantees. The position will be responsible for being the liaison between Indy Peace and the Elevation Grantees (Community Led Organizations) that are focused on prevention programming. The position will work in collaboration with other city departments and outside agencies. Examples include coordinating with Indy Peace Program Managers, Life Coaches, Outreach Workers, and Interrupters, and the community to build the relationships of services.
The position will manage the city's prevention side of the overall violence reduction model. Working within the framework of the strategic plan, the Chief Violence Prevention Officer will translate objectives related to violence reduction and prevention into inclusive programmatic solutions aimed at creating and maintaining safe neighborhoods. A Chief Violence Prevention Officer will work with the outreach workers that provide direct services to individuals who are at the highest risk for gun violence and have extensive criminal justice involvement to connect them to transformational and restorative services provided by community-based organizations. The core activities of a Chief Violence Prevention Officer include relationship building, partnership development and maintenance, and coalition building. They must be an expert communicator across a variety of platforms and walks of life.
The City of Indianapolis prioritizes and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. This position values diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city whom they serve.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate with city agencies, community-based organizations, faith-based communities, and schools to organize, support and sponsor Violence Prevention/intervention programs.
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee the City's summer programming for youth by building relationships with programs / non-profits that can provide programming for youth.
- Collaborate with The Indianapolis Foundation and the Elevation Grantees that have been awarded funding for Violence Prevention programming.
- Build partnerships and MOUs with community-based organizations and schools, and coordinate with Indy Peace program managers to assign Outreach workers to be based within organizations to provide needed support.
- Attend community meetings to continue to maintain relationships with faith-based organizations, community leaders, elected officials and community members. Update on the overall strategy and upcoming items.
- Conduct media interviews related to events and outreach within their assigned districts.
- Coordinate with the Communications Division of OPHS on broader media messages and alongside the media messaging of the Mayor's Office.
- Coordinate and oversee the planning of events (examples include - community meetings, targeted outreach, health fairs, local business fairs, etc.) Build and maintain relationships with city constituencies and partners such as city homeowners, city tenants, residents of city neighborhoods, employees of city institutions, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), and representatives of community and non-profit organizations.
- This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.
Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree required. Confident, articulate, and professional speaking abilities and experience is also required.
Vast knowledge of Violence Prevention strategies, models, and best practices.
2-3 years of experience working with youth and community organization preferred.
Must have research, analytical and critical thinking skills, including sound judgment and decision-making skills and skills to correctly identify real and potential problems, advise management as required, and propose effective strategic resolutions.
Excellent presentation and negotiation skills. Knowledge of the dynamics of the city's violence problem.
Willing to navigate in challenging neighborhoods and interact with people within those neighborhoods. Administrative and organizational skills for data entry and writing case notes.
Must have effective communication skills including strong writing skills. Must have proficiency in the use of appropriate computer software.
Expert skill in communicating persuasively with diverse audiences ranging from policy- makers and corporate managers to grass roots community residents.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, Interpersonal communications, tact and diplomatic acumen to effectively represent the City of Indianapolis. Ability to work independently and to foresee, identify, design and/or recommend solutions to needs, issues, and/or problems in the position's areas of responsibility and manage multiple tasks and set priorities.
Skilled in project management, including meeting deadlines and completing tasks on time, as requested. Knowledge of computer/software technology. Must demonstrate the ability to coordinate multiple tasks and set priorities.
Demonstrative knowledge of Marion County criminal justice system, as well as knowledge of and experience in research and data analysis.
Employment Type: Full Time
