Sign-on Bonus:
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Location: Camden County, NJ
Job Type/Status: Full-Time
Salary: $23 to $27 per hour
Position Summary:
The Peer Support / Violence Intervention Specialist is responsible for conducting street-based outreach, violence interruption, and conflict mediation with individuals highly involved in or at risk for violence. The position provides non-clinical, hope-centered peer support through relationship-based engagement, real-time de-escalation, and mentorship grounded in lived experience. In addition to individual outreach and mediation, the Specialist plays an active role in community mobilization efforts, supporting and facilitating community-led events, healing activities, and collective responses to violence that promote safety, hope, and community resilience. The role integrates direct outreach, peer support, and community engagement to interrupt cycles of violence and support pathways toward non-violent futures.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Outreach and Engagement
- Engage high-risk individuals in the community using street-level presence and building rapport.
- Represent the program through consistent presence in the community and participate in outreach and community mobilization objectives.
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Support and participate in community-led responses to violence, including healing circles, vigils, peace walks, and awareness events following violent incidents.
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Assist in planning and implementing community mobilization activities that promote non-violence, healing, and collective responsibility for safety.
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Engage residents, participants, families, and community partners to strengthen collective efficacy and community ownership of violence prevention and intervention efforts.
- Establish and maintain trusting, supportive relationships with participants as the foundation for engagement, safety planning, and
Violence Intervention and Crisis Support
- Identify individuals and situations at heightened risk for violence or retaliation.
- Intervene in emerging conflicts and disputes and circumstances where retaliation or further violence is likely, applying de-escalation and conflict mediation strategies in real-time.
- Respond promptly to community-based incidents involving individuals at elevated risk of violence, including shootings, stabbings, and credible threats of retaliation.
- Provide Psychological First Aid to participants, family members, and close associates following violent incidents, including triage, emotional stabilization, and practical support.
- recovery.
- Participate in on-call shooting and crisis support response.
Advocacy and Care Coordination
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Conduct intakes and assessments to determine participants' level of risk, needs, and appropriate services.
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Provide care coordination tailored to assessed risk level, including intensive support for individuals at elevated risk of continued violence involvement.
- Serve as an advocate for participants in accessing social services, safe housing, education, counseling, substance use treatment, employment, and other resources to support long-term stability.
- Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources and agencies to effectively connect participants with needed supports.
Peer Support and Hope-Centered Individual and Group Engagement
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Provide non-clinical, one-on-one peer support grounded in a hope-centered, trauma-informed framework.
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Support participants in identifying meaningful goals, pathways toward stability, and personal agency.
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Reinforce motivation, engagement, and follow-through with services and supports.
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Model pro-social behaviors and non-violent decision-making through lived experience and mentorship.
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Co-facilitate structured group sessions focused on historical and intergenerational trauma and the science of hope.
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Support psychoeducation, guided reflection, and healing-centered dialogue in a safe, respectful environment.
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Assist participants in developing personal narratives, insight, and future-oriented visions grounded in non-violence.
Collaboration & Representation
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Represent the agency in the community by building relationships, distributing program materials, and participating in coalitions, stakeholder meetings, and community-led events.
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Support and participate in community responses to violence, including vigils, healing events, and prevention activities that promote collective efficacy and safety.
Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain timely, accurate, and complete documentation, records, and reports in compliance with program, hospital, and grant requirements.
- Adhere to program goals, procedures, methods, and interventions as outlined in the grant agreements.
Professional Growth & Team Participation
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Engage in ongoing professional development opportunities that strengthen trauma-informed and violence intervention skills, while fostering personal growth and career advancement.
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Participate in reflective supervision and team meetings designed to build resilience, manage vicarious trauma, and promote a culture of mutual support.
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Contribute to a learning environment where staff share insights, strategies, and innovations to improve participant outcomes and advance the field of violence intervention.
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Set and pursue at least one annual professional goal in collaboration with a supervisor, supporting long-term growth.
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Support a team culture grounded in hope, collaboration, and trauma-informed centered engagement, modeling the values we promote with participants.
Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED preferred but not required.
- Minimum of 2 years' experience working with individuals impacted by violence, trauma, or the criminal justice system.
- Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) are an asset.
- Lived experience and strong credibility within Camden City
- Experience working with individuals at elevated risk of violence, justice involvement, or trauma exposure.
- Effective communication and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to establish and sustain trusting, supportive relationships with individuals involved with violence.
- Ability to engage respectfully with individuals from varied backgrounds and life experiences.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and participate in 24/7 on-call rotation.
- Candidates with personal or professional experience navigating violence, trauma, incarceration, or the criminal justice system are well-suited for this role. Candidates must have a minimum of 2 years since release from incarceration, with no pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence.
- Willingness to complete required training
- Valid NJ Driver's License with insurance preferred
Physical Demands
- Ability to transport self, between Center For Family Services sites, community organizations, participants' homes as needed to support recovery and program goals.
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, or remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time (up to 4 hours) while conducting bedside support, documentation, meetings, or participant engagement.
- Ability to respond to participant crisis situations, during evenings, nights, and weekends as part of support to participants and the 24/7 on-call rotation.
- Ability to travel and represent the program at local, state, and national trainings, conferences, and stakeholder meetings to support professional development and alignment with best practices.
Benefits:
At the Center for Family Services, our employees are our greatest resource, and we are committed to investing in our staff. We offer a competitive benefits package as well as ongoing resources that will support staff on their personal and professional journey.*
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Excellent paid time off (PTO) program, including vacation, sick, personal, and holiday
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401k Plan
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Medical insurance plan options
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Dental & Vision Insurance
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Prescription Insurance
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Life Insurance
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Flexible Spending Accounts
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Health & Wellness Activities
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Ongoing Training & Professional Development Opportunities
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Opportunity for advancement
About Employment at Center For Family Services Apply and get hired at Center For Family Services, a leader in the non-profit sector and named as a top workplace in the region since 2010. As part of our team, you will be recognized as our most valuable resource. Our staff balance best practices with personalized care. Together, our team makes a positive difference in the lives of people in need. If you're interested in a rewarding career, Center For Family Services is a great place to grow as a professional. For more information about our top workplace, please visit the Center For Family Services website at www.centerffs.org.
Disclaimer Many positions require motor vehicle record evaluations and medical clearances. Center For Family Services is an equal opportunity employer offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits packages.
