Project Manager, Youth Crime and Gang Prevention

Overview
In alignment with Alexandria’s Children and Youth Community Plan and City Council Priorities , the Project Manager of Youth Crime and Gang Prevention will provide direct coordination and input into the strategic planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of the City’s response to youth crime and gang prevention, to include the work of the Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force & Senior Policy Group on Gangs, and the Alexandria Court Service Unit’s programs, services, and community groups including:

• Implementation of OJJDP’s Comprehensive Gang Model’s Core Strategies
• Intervention, Prevention and Education
• Alexandria Senior Policy Work Group on Gangs
• Staff support to Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force
• Alexandria Mentoring Partnership
• Court Service Unit-operated mentoring programs, Space of Her Own (SOHO) and Building Your Power (in development)
• Alexandria’s Mentor University: A Free College for Caring Adults (in development)

Assist the Crime Prevention Team in achieving the goals of the Court Service Unit (CSU) and City of Alexandria (City) through implementation of strategies and evaluation of programs, services and community initiatives. Assist the CSU and other internal and external stakeholders working on juvenile crime prevention with improving the efficiency and effectiveness of collaborations through responsibility for special projects and on-going tasks related to such management functions as staffing work groups, short and long-range planning, program evaluation, program development, performance measurement, grantsmanship, management and organizational analysis, and management systems design and implementation. Execute key backbone functions of the CSU’s crime prevention initiatives. Provide training and consultation to key stakeholders and the community. Monitor and promote benchmarks of progress. Performance of this work requires initiative, creativity, attention to detail, outstanding people and organizational skills, flexibility and the exercise of independent judgment. Use data strategically, identify and improve what works, and make recommendations regarding direct resources to support effective evidence-based strategies, programs and services.

Examples of Duties

• Provide primary staff support to the implementation of CSU crime and gang prevention programs, services and community groups (listed above)
• Provide strategic leadership, and plan, direct and execute strategies to achieve better outcomes for children and families
• Participate in short and long-range planning related to CSU’s crime prevention goals, strategies and action steps
• Build relationships with and among critical community partners
• Coordinate the development of regular program assessments, logic models, strategic and action plans, evaluation and sustainability plans
• Assist in the development and enhancement of CSU’s crime and gang prevention initiatives and activities, monitor policy adherence and expenditures, and identify trends
• Coordinate evaluation activities for CSU’s crime prevention initiatives, analyze data, review goals and objectives, and recommend improved efficiency and effectiveness measures
• Work directly with youth, youth groups, and mentoring programs in support of CSU crime prevention initiatives
• Prepare grant reports, memoranda, and other correspondence
• Respond to requests from community partners, CSU and City leadership, City Council, committees and other key stakeholders
• Research best practices and resources, topics and funding
• Supervise work of interns and volunteers
• Assist in the writing of grants to sustain and expand capacity of CSU crime prevention program and service implementation
• Support outreach to new and diverse community partners
• Organize professionals and other community members to address goals and strategies of the CSU Crime Prevention Team
• Represent CSU on various committees and task forces
• Provide workshops and outreach on crime prevention initiative implementation and outcomes
• Participate with cross-systems work to integrate efforts on the part of various entities (City, schools, non-profits and others) to achieve program and service goals
• Act as liaison to the media regarding the efforts and outcomes of CSU crime prevention implementation efforts
• Coordinate and participate in the preparation and presentation of printed material, news releases, publications and other program publicity
• Develop and maintain CSU website and social media outlets
• Maintain collaborations with community partners
• Perform related work as required by the CSU

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of program administration and analysis
• Thorough knowledge of project management tools
• General knowledge of the philosophy, objectives, and rationale of child and youth development programs and youth crime and gang prevention
• Good knowledge of the City of Alexandria and the needs of its children, youth and families in order to develop and coordinate resources and programs
• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret and prepare data, and the ability to utilize this data to evaluate programs and community needs
• Ability to establish short and long-range plans related to CSU crime prevention program needs
• Ability to interpret policies and assess operations
• Ability to write grant proposals and manage grants
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with task forces, policy groups, boards of directors, elected officials, City and community non-profit children, youth and family serving agencies, co-workers, and the public
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

About the Department
The Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Service Unit is made up of a dedicated team of professionals working to support the strategic direction of City and State governments through the commitment to excellence in Public Safety by providing effective prevention and intervention programs and services that improve the lives of youth, strengthening both families and communities.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Four Year College Degree with course work in public administration and management practices, criminal justice, psychology or sociology or a related field of study; Considerable progressive experience and significant knowledge of public administration and social work, particularly related to the administration of gang intervention and prevention programs; applicable Federal, State and local laws, policies, procedures, and best-management practices pertaining to gang prevention and intervention, specifically the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention's Comprehensive Gang Model; the nature, causes and risk factors of gang formation, gang culture, gang violence, and gang organizations and the protective factors to mitigate the threat of gangs; the collection, analysis, interpretation, preparation and communication of data, with an ability to utilize data in order to evaluate programs and the community's needs; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with top management municipal, State and Federal officials, employees, the public and with persons of various social, cultural, or economic backgrounds; and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications

Master of Public Administration, Master of Social Work degree, or master's degree in a related field; five years of experience and thorough knowledge of/in the criminal justice system, with at least two years of direct experience working with troubled youth and their families; the community and its needs in order to develop and coordinate resources and programs; specific local and regional information pertaining to gang activity; facilitation, mediation and other activities designed to bring parties together to facilitate solutions to groups having different interests; planning, developing, evaluating, and managing at-risk youth programs; working with the media. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Notes

Successful completion of Federal Criminal Records Check and Child Abuse Registry is required as well as a valid driver's license from state of residence.