Community Navigator

Community Navigator
 

Position Summary

The Community Navigator works to gain the trust of the community and the highest-risk individuals to help prevent shootings and retaliatory violence and to provide linkages and robust accompaniment to prosocial alternatives, including activities, jobs, education, case management, and social services. As a member of a team, the Community Navigator is responsible for reaching out to the highest-risk individuals in the community and working with them to prevent violence by modeling prosocial behaviors, engaging them in positive activities, accompaniment through the case management process, and connecting their participants to additional services that the organization and partners offer.

Community Navigator will engage directly with identified and referred participants who have experienced high levels of trauma and are likely to be victims or perpetrators of violence. 

The position requires strong understanding of the drivers of violence in the service community, including the histories, dynamics, and conflicts of individuals and groups. Community Navigators must also have strong knowledge of local service providers. The candidate should have experience in working with and engaging “high-risk” adults in structured leadership development activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Relentlessly engage highest-risk participants using a variety of methods, including home visits, community outreach, and institutional visits to foster strong, supportive relationships;
• Regularly assess safety risks associated with individuals and physical locations and collaborate with the program team to develop approaches to navigating and mitigating risks;
• Advocate for participants’ needs and goals, offering mentoring and comprehensive case management to support their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency;
• Conduct targeted outreach, both individually and as part of a team, to cultivate partnerships with local residents, youth, businesses, and community organizations, enhancing community support networks;
• Design and implement personalized support sessions focused on conflict resolution, prosocial behavior adoption, and empowerment of participants to achieve their personal and professional goals;
• Collaborate with the management team and external support networks to identify and engage individuals at the highest risk, ensuring a proactive approach to violence prevention and community safety;
• Manage a caseload of up to 20 participants, providing focused, individualized support;
• Utilize trauma-informed practices to establish trust and rapport with participants, serving as a positive role model and guide in their journey of recovery and growth;
• Diligently prepare and submit detailed reports, including timely incident reports, participant progress updates, and any other documentation necessary to maintain transparency and accountability;
• Collaborate closely with transitional job providers to facilitate participants’ successful integration and progress in the Atlas Workforce program, addressing any barriers to employment;
• Maintain clear and timely communication channels with team members and management, providing updates on participant progress and any concerns related to their safety and well-being;
• Engage in ongoing professional development and training opportunities to enhance skills and effectiveness in the role, participating in all mandatory sessions and seeking additional learning opportunities as needed;  
• Participate in a variety of meetings, including staff, partner, one-on-one supervision, and community meetings as scheduled by the Manager; and
• Participate in collaborative meetings to assess participant progress and plan services.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred;
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred;
• Skilled communicator who is able to liaise interdepartmentally as well as with community partners and stakeholders;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule;
• Driver’s license required;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel;
• Ability to work independently and on a team;
• Experience working with the community in the South Bronx, a plus;
• Experience and/or desire to work with a culturally diverse population;
• We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus.