Credible Messenger Associate

Amity Foundation, an internationally acclaimed Teaching, and Therapeutic Community is seeking compassionate and enthusiastic individuals with a desire to teach, learn and join our community as a Credible Messenger Associate. This groundbreaking opportunity will allow you to work with our prison and re-entry programs helping the community and will also enhance your training and experience in the field.

About Amity:
Amity Foundation is a safe place where people can change in an environment that fosters trust; where new values can be formed; responsibility developed, and lasting relationships built. Amity is dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of people marginalized by addiction, homelessness, trauma, criminality, incarceration, poverty, racism, sexism, and violence. Amity is committed to research, development implementation, and dissemination of information regarding community building.

Remembrance, Resolution, Reconciliation, Restoration, Renewal

About the Position:
Relying on effective communication, listening, and conflict mediation skills, the Credible Messenger Associate (sometimes referred to as “Credible Messenger”) is responsible to work with youth in individual and group settings to assist them in modifying and changing their behaviors because of personal demonstration and credibility. The Credible Messenger guides and motivates at-risk youth to challenge and transform negative thinking, attitudes, and actions while promoting restorative justice, family involvement, community engagement, and planning for transition back to the community. These face-to-face services will be conducted in LA County Probation Facilities, Camps, and Secure Youth Treatment Facilities (SYTF’s). Likely as a part of the project will be designated unit or units at a Juvenile Hall(s)/Camp(s) as needed (Los Padrinos, Camp Glenn Rockey, Barry J., etc.). At-will shift work availability needed on a Monday thru Friday or Tuesday thru Saturday Schedule for 8 hour shifts “as needed” between the hours of 8AM to 7PM. This position supports policies and procedures governing the project, and supports appropriate strategies for the delivery of services, and works as part of a team to ensure contract compliance with Amity Foundation, the Department of Youth Development (DYD), and County of Los Angeles Juvenile Probation Department.

What You Will Do::
• Relies on unique relationships with at-risk youth to implement innovative approaches to restorative justice;
• Utilizes effective communication, listening, and conflict mediation skills to engage youth participants;
• Works in conjunction with staff to model positive behavior, including respect, support and encouragement during challenging and stressful situations;
• Provides youth with tools and skills needed for success;
• Works with youth in individual and group settings to modify behaviors;
• Uses lived experience to connect with at-risk youth, guiding and motivating individuals towards prosocial living;
• Promotes restorative justice, family involvement, community engagement, and re-integration in the community;
• Demonstrates significant personal growth and change since release from a correctional system;
• Partners with DYD/Probation staff to create an overall therapeutic environment focusing on developing the youths’ identity, family connections, and positive supportive community.
• Communicate effectively with DYD/Probation staff.
• Maintains sensitivity and objectivity under pressures generated by associate with participants;
• Protects and maintains participants’ health, safety, welfare, and confidentiality of records and information; and
• Models professionalism, effective work habits, and responsible living.

What You Will Bring: :
• Ability to maintain sensitivity and objectivity under pressures generated by association with participants;
• Ability to provide genuine warmth, empathy and honest sensitivity to program participants to facilitate positive change;
• Ability to provide program participants with frequent acknowledgment and reinforcement for positive behaviors, as well as consistent and predictable feedback for negative behaviors, which may include reporting violations to DYD/Probation staff.
• Ability to develop a treatment alliance with participants;
• Ability to integrate, disseminate, and implement requirements, reporting timeframes and/or procedure changes as indicated by DYD/Probation.
• Ability to effectively supervise and train a multi-disciplinary team; and,
• Excellent interpersonal, written communications and typing skills.

What We Bring: :
• Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Paid vacation, sick time, & holidays.
• 401K, HSA, & Life insurance programs.
• Organization committed to community action.
• Community oriented workplace.