Community Outreach Specialist

Lead with Compassion: Empower Youth as a Community Outreach Specialist - the YMCA is now hiring a Community Outreach Specialist!

The Community Outreach Specialist supports the implementation of youth violence prevention programming funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS). The Community Outreach Specialist engages youth ages 14-24 who are at risk of violence involvement, providing street outreach, crisis response, mentoring, and referrals to wraparound services. This position plays a critical role in reducing violence by promoting positive engagement, trust-building, and linkage to employment, education, and mental health services.

Pay is $24.03 per hour with opportunities to grow within the organization

Scope of Responsibilities

• Conduct regular outreach in schools, neighborhoods, and hot-spot areas to identify and engage youth at highest risk of involvement in violence.
• Develop trusting relationships with participants and serve as a consistent, supportive presence in their lives.
• Identify and engage individuals at highest risk for victimization or perpetration.
• Support participants and families in the aftermath of violence or trauma.
• Collaborate with violence interrupters, case managers, and partner agencies to provide a coordinated care response.
• Maintain a caseload of youth participants and conduct weekly check-ins, tracking goals and progress.
• Participate in peace circles, restorative justice practices, and trauma-informed engagement activities.
• Provide immediate crisis response in the event of community violence, including hospital response and post-incident support.
• Represent the program and organization in community settings.
• Facilitate and co-lead small group sessions, workshops, and life skills programming focused on conflict resolution, job readiness, and social-emotional development.
• Ensure all activities and outcomes are documented in program databases (e.g., Efforts to Outcomes/ETO or Cityspan) in compliance with grant requirements.
• Assist with program events such as community forums, healing spaces, and outreach campaigns.
• Attend all required IDHS/DFSS trainings and contribute to internal team development sessions on violence prevention, de-escalation, and youth engagement strategies.

Minimum and Required Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in community outreach, youth work, or violence prevention, particularly with youth impacted by trauma, gangs, or justice involvement.
• Deep understanding of Chicago's neighborhoods and the systemic issues contributing to community violence.
• Experience with grant-funded programs (IDHS, DFSS, or similar) and familiarity with data reporting systems preferred.
• Must possess excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings, weekends, and on-call shifts.
• Lived experience and/or strong community ties to program service areas strongly preferred.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation preferred.

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA's commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor.
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children.
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor.
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required.