1. Position Overview
The Outreach Worker serves as part of the Indy Peace program, the community-centric portion of the City of Indianapolis Gun Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) developed as a partnership between the Office of Public Health & Safety (OPHS) and the Indy Public Safety Foundation (IPSF). Outreach workers identify and engage individuals at very high risk of gun violence, responding to incidents, supporting victims and families, and connecting individuals to Life Coaches and community resources.
2. Key Responsibilities
- Identify & engage high-risk individuals - Use networks, relationships, outreach, and social media
- Connection to Life Coaches - Build trust and conduct warm handoffs with Life Coach
- Shooting scene response - Support victims/families, ease tension, gather information
- Hospital engagement - Engage gunshot victims, discourage retaliation, build relationships
- Community events - Attend events in high-violence neighborhoods to build connections
- Community-based organizations - Build relationships or embed with community-based organizations working with the population served
- Meetings & training - Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and case conferences
- Other duties - Perform other tasks as directed by Indy Peace leadership
3. Qualifications
- Resident of Marion County, Indiana with reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and auto insurance.
- Background and understanding of the population served, ideally with lived experience.
- Knowledge of Indianapolis’ violence dynamics and the individuals/groups driving it.
- Ability to navigate challenging neighborhoods, people, and families.
- Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and passion for working with hard-to-reach individuals.
- Commitment to punctuality and consistent communication with peers and leaders, with a focus on working with integrity.
- Effective communication skills to operate effectively and professionally in small and large teams
- Administrative skills to electronically enter data, including daily logs of activity and work product
- Commitment to ongoing training in violence reduction and professional development
4. Employment Conditions
- Employment through Knowledge Services, a third-party staffing organization.
- At-will employment under the supervision of the Office of Public Health and Safety and Indy Public Safety Foundation.
- Position requires travel within Marion County (mileage included in compensation; no separate reimbursement).
- Employees must maintain excellent attendance and punctuality.
- Employees may not exceed 40 hours per week without written authorization.
- Employees must meet access or health requirements of local hospitals and other community-based organizations with which Indy Peace works.
- Employees must be able to walk for an extended period of time and carry up to 25 pounds.
5. Compensation & Benefits
- Compensation: Competitive hourly wage with benefits.
- Health, dental and other insurances available through staffing organization (eligibility after 60 days; coverage effective the following month).
6. Accountability
- Reports directly to a designated supervisor within the Office of Public Health and Safety or Indy Public Safety Foundation.
- Required participation in case conferences, staff meetings, and data reporting.
- Adhere to a standard weekly schedule, including evenings, weekends and nights, but with flexibility needed to meet the programmatic needs.
- Required bi-annual car insurance and driver's license check
- It is prohibited to engage in any form of outside employment or business opportunities, for the employee's self or another employer, which could conflict or interfere with this role.
- Performance measured by referral identification/engagement, outreach efforts and violence reduction impact.
Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- Indy Peace is a data-driven, community-based gun violence intervention strategy that engages individuals at the highest risk of being involved in gun violence. Team members are expected to build authentic relationships with participants and be comfortable working in communities disproportionately impacted by violence. Candidates with relevant lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
Are you comfortable working in communities disproportionately impacted by violence and engaging individuals at the highest risk of involvement in gun violence?
Work Location: In person
