Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative Program Director

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

The Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) initiative is a strategy initiated in Nov 2007, designed to address violence across the city and in four of Boston's high need neighborhoods. Overseen by the Division of Violence Prevention (DVP), VIP works in partnership with community-based organizations to develop a continuum of violence prevention and intervention services that will provide residents the tools and resources to reduce violence; change the expectation of violence in their neighborhoods; and expand opportunities for youth and families. Core components of VIP include: 1) strengthening resident and community engagement through the development of neighborhood coalitions; 2) addressing neighborhood challenges that contribute to crime; and 3) coordinating community actions prior to and in the aftermath of homicides and shootings to promote equity and nonviolence.

DUTIES

• Provide general oversight over the VIP Initiative including guiding, the planning, implementation, and evaluation of activities designed to advance VIP's mission to prevent community violence.
• Ensure that the VIP Initiative advances the BPHC mission to work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities.
• Hire and supervise program staff and oversee the management and personnel decisions regarding program personnel, including but not limited to promotion, transfer and assignment of staff, and imposition of discipline.
• Identify partners, collaboration opportunities and resources.
• Provide training and technical assistance to the VIP Neighborhood Coordinators who lead coalition building and other activities in the VIP neighborhoods.
• Support neighborhood partners in developing and implementing a neighborhood violence prevention plan.
• Facilitate meetings and relationships to advance primary violence prevention strategies.
• Engage diverse communities by age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, identity, and class to ensure the VIP Initiative promotes and health and well-being of all residents.
• Maintain regular and thorough communication with city agencies and other community partners.
• Collaborate with the Grants Department to create visionary and innovative projects that deepen the impact of VIP.
• Oversee all aspects of the VIP budget including City of Boston, grant and other funding streams and manage contracts with community-based organizations.
• Attending community meetings to engage organizations, leaders, and residents.
• Represent VIP at internal and external meetings, advisory committees, and other forums.
• Develop and implement data collection systems to track VIP activities and goals.
• Work with Division of Violence Prevention staff to coordinate other division projects.
• Support BPHC-wide activities addressing issues, policies, etc., including efforts addressing mental health, violence prevention, community engagement, racial equity, and other areas of expertise.
• Assure all program components align with the Racial Justice and Health Equity goals of the Boston Public Commission and broader community.
• Work in confidential capacity with director.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Work to help BPHC become an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti-Racism Policy.

• Master's Degree in public health, health administration, public policy, or related field plus 3 years' relevant experience; OR bachelor's degree and 5 years' relevant experience; OR 7 years of experience of increasingly responsible leadership in a relevant field may be substituted.
• Significant (over 5 years) lived experience and/or professional experience in neighborhoods impacted by community violence.
• Background providing services in community violence prevention required.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and implementing public health projects, managing staff, and working with diverse city agencies, community groups and residents.
• Strong community organizing skills.
• Curiosity and drive to learn.
• Strong problem solving, decision making, and multitasking abilities. Able to work both independently and as a key team player.
• Ability to clearly communicate with multiple partners and write clear, concise reports.
• Experience collecting, tracking, disseminating qualitative and quantitative data to inform project planning and implementation.
• Familiarity with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
• Passionate commitment to health equity and racial/social justice issues.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.

Preferred or Plus:

• Bilingual -bicultural skills and lived experience desirable.
• Community organizing or mobilizing experience valued.
• Experience in trauma-informed approaches to programming and staff management.
• Knowledge of Boston and Boston communities.
• 1 year of demonstrated formal or informal social justice advocacy experience and/or community organizing/mobilization experience.