Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Credible Messenger

JOB OVERVIEW
The City of Harrisburg is accepting applications for the position of Credible Messenger as part of the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) strategy in The Bureau of Police. The Credible Messenger establishes trusting relationships with persons at high risk of participating in group-related violence and any populations involved in gun violence. The Credible Messenger uses life experiences to inform, guide, and motivate high-risk persons to reduce and/or prevent additional group-related violence. In addition, the Credible Messenger provides recommendations to the GVI Support & Outreach Coordinator, enabling them to identify relevant services for individuals to support changed behaviors and non-retaliatory actions. Bi-lingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This is a part-time, grant-funded position paying $20.00 per hour. Hours will not exceed 30 hours per week. The Credible Messengers will be supervised by the GVI Support & Outreach Coordinator and the GVI Project Manager, housed within the Community Services Division of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. If interested, please submit an application through or in person at the following:

City of Harrisburg, Bureau of Human Resources
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. City Government Center
10 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Phone: (717) 255-6475
Email: [email protected]

The City of Harrisburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Wanda R. D. Williams, Mayor

Job Title :
Group Violence Intervention Credible Messenger (Part-time, Grant funded)
Bureau of Police
Department of Public Safety

DEFINITION:


The Credible Messenger is a part-time grant-funded position working up to a maximum of 30 hours per week. This position will establish trusting relationships with persons at high risk of participating in group-related gun violence and any populations involved in gun violence. The Credible Messenger uses life experiences to inform, guide, and motivate high-risk persons to reduce and/or prevent additional group-related violence. In addition, the Credible Messenger provides recommendations to the GVI Support & Outreach Coordinator, enabling them to identify relevant services for individuals to support changed behaviors and non-retaliatory actions.

JOB LOCATION/EQUIPMENT:

Work is performed throughout the City of Harrisburg and surrounding areas, in the community, on streets, in homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, schools, and community centers. The position requires regular exposure to violence, grief, and trauma; structured supervision, peer support, and access to mental health resources are provided and strongly encouraged. Training and professional development are required, including mandated reporter training, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, conflict mediation, GVI strategy fundamentals, and data documentation. Irregular hours may be common; evening and weekend availability is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Work involves, but is not limited to, the following: Build authentic relationships with GVI-identified individuals at the highest risk for violent victimization or offending. Conduct regular outreach and engagement with individuals and small groups to discuss concerns, available resources, and alternatives to violence. Maintain a consistent, reliable presence through street presence, social media, funerals, and community events to ensure clients know they have a real connection to the GVI support network. Participate in face-to-face communications with people at risk to deliver a moral message against violence. Identify and help de-escalate conflicts that could lead to shootings or other violent incidents. Assist in mediating situations and helping prevent retaliation between individuals or groups through communication and relationship building. Utilize trauma-informed, strength-based, de-escalation, and restorative practices to encourage constructive steps that support peaceful conflict resolution. Build relationships with community leaders, organizations, and influential individuals. Identify and refer potential participants to the GVI Support & Outreach Coordinator, who will connect clients to appropriate community-based services that address needs. Work with the GVI team to assist participants who face barriers to traditional services in navigating bureaucratic systems. Provide support not only to the at-risk individual but to their immediate family members as well, recognizing that family stability is central to client success. Provide one-on-one mentoring sessions with GVI clients to support personal development, goal-setting, behavioral growth, and life planning. Challenge street codes and norms that perpetuate violence through consistent, credible relationship-based engagement. Attend program meetings, community events, vigils, and neighborhood gatherings in high-violence areas to maintain a presence and build relationships. Maintain timely, accurate case notes and interaction records. Submit brief written reports to the GVI Support and Outreach Coordinator following outreach contacts, engagement activities, and significant client interactions. Visit local correctional facilities and juvenile detention centers to build rapport with individuals who will be returning to the community. Maintain a professional standard of conduct while representing Harrisburg GVI, ensuring all interactions reflect the initiative’s values, integrity, and community-focused mission. Reports to work and remains at work in a productive condition, which includes not being under the influence or impaired by the use of alcohol and/or drugs.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Lived experience directly relevant to the community served, including, but not limited to, prior involvement in street violence, gang activity, criminal justice system involvement, incarceration, or survival of gun violence.
• Personal transformation: demonstrable evidence of having moved away from a violence-involved life and maintaining that change.
• Community credibility; well-known and respected among the specific high-risk populations and neighborhoods GVI targets, with the ability to gain trust where others cannot.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak authentically and persuasively with individuals deeply embedded in street culture.
• Composure under pressure. Ability to remain calm, de-escalate tense situations, and exercise sound judgment in crisis environments.
• Cultural competency and ability to work with diverse communities.
• Ability to read, write, and converse in English.
• Basic data entry and written documentation skills, preferred
• Experience working with youth or young adults, preferred.
• Prior experience in violence intervention, peer mentoring, reentry services, or community outreach, preferred.
• Knowledge of local community resources, service systems, and criminal justice landscape, preferred.
• Some familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and restorative justice approaches, preferred.
• Training or experience in situational awareness and/or conflict de-escalation a plus.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or GED preferred, but equivalent life experience will be considered. Applicants should possess genuine life experience that generates trust with group-involved members and communities and enables them to form strong, persistent, and caring relationships with participants and their families. Prior justice system involvement is acceptable, but applicants must be able to obtain and maintain required background clearances. Applicants must possess a valid state identification (valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License, Class C preferred, but not required). Candidates must have no pending criminal charges and/or no prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence. Ability to read, write and converse in Spanish a plus, but not required.