Credible Messenger/AOD Counselor

About the Organization

The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) works to end mass incarceration. To ensure our communities are safe, healthy, and whole, ARC empowers formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive reentry services, and opportunities to advocate for policy change. Through our grassroots policy advocacy, we are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system so that it is more just and equitable for all people.

Position Summary

The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) Los Angeles office is seeking an experienced, energetic, and dependable self-starter to join the Credible Messenger Transformative Mentoring program whose primary goal is to support youth but also to enhance positive youth development and restorative and rehabilitative programming for youth in LA County’s juvenile halls and camps, but specifically, Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall and the campus Kilpatrick facility. The ideal candidate will be someone with lived experience or that may have a good track-record of working with youth, has completed their Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification, and has experienced developing and facilitating self-help groups and will bring initiative and integrity to his or her work.

Each Credible Messenger will be responsible for supporting and implementing programming at one or more of the following Los Angeles County Probation Department camps, juvenile halls, and other facilities: Barry J Nidorf Juvenile Hall (BJN), Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall and Campus Kilpatrick Facilities. To ensure youth from all over the county are served, Credible Messengers will work with the Youth Empowerment Support Team (YES Team) to ensure they are accessible to youth in various regions of the county such as South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, the Antelope Valley/Lancaster.

Credible Messenger will help incarcerated youth in their Individual Restoration Plans (IRP) and other life and reentry plans as they enter the institution and when they leave. Credible Messengers will work at each facility during every shift of the day including weekends and will rightfully report the youth’ whereabouts in his reentry/life plans and well-being to other Credible Messengers and staff working in the facility.

CMs will also work with other services providers and departments to ensure youth are being prepared for reentry and are accessing all resources possible. The CMS will play a critical role in bringing hope and opportunity to incarcerated youth and prepare them for their continued relationship with the Community Based Organization and Credible Messengers that supported them upon release.

Candidates who have been directly system-impacted are encouraged to apply.

Essential Job Functions

• Mentor youth and guide them through the process and circumstances through peer-to-peer mentorship.
• Assist with developing self-help groups specifically targeted to youth incarcerated.
• Support and speak at existing self-help groups.
• Develop and lead mentorship training workshops.
• Meet regularly with newly arrived youth to support them in developing rehabilitative plans.
• Work with youth board/hearing preparedness and insight into their commitment offense.
• Conduct quarterly youth development and reentry workshops.
• At the request of the institution, speak at staff trainings and participate in management meetings to assist, as needed, in improving institutional culture.
• Provide and maintain appropriate data and files of all youth in the facility.
• Maintain a professional attitude, confidentiality, and respect of cultural differences.
• Complete all other duties as assigned by supervising CM.
• Record on daily notes if youth are safe before and after each shift and convey any issues occurring to other CMs and staff.
• Create and lead life skills, financial skills, and other relevant trainings.
• Conduct trainings for Probation staff and promote cultural change.
• Commitment to working towards peace in the community.
• Ability to intervene in existing conflicts between youth and/or staff.
• Must work with survivors or the victims at one point.

Qualifications:

• Associate degree preferred. College education is desired but not required.
• Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification required.
• Impacted individuals preferred. Previously incarcerated/individuals with a passion to give back and change.
• Must have similar lived experience or a good track record of working with youth.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in facilitating and creating self-help groups and knowledge of self-help programs.
• Driver’s License, personal vehicle, and car insurance required.
• Knowledge of LA County Probation Department rules and regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Database management experience preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to present information concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Bilingualism is beneficial.
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Ability to know how to communicate and speak with youth. Speaking skills.
• Credible Messenger Training Certifications: Example: ARC’s HART Team training.
• Experience working with credible community-based organizations or direct services providers.
• Must pass drug tests upon hiring and when required to do so.
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Salary/Benefits:

• Pay range is $28.85 to $31.25
• Multiple employer medical/dental/ vision plans with up to 100% employee coverage, 50% for dependents.
• Employer funded life insurance.
• 401(k) matching
• 10 paid vacation days, 6 paid sick days.

Anti-Recidivism Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $28.84 - $31.25 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• In-person

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Los Angeles, CA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Group Facilitation: 3 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification (Required)
• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person