Job Description

Job Title: Credible Messenger

Reports To: Manager of Reentry Services

Department: Programs

Job Classification: [Full-time]

Salary Range: 42K- 47K, plus competitive benefits

Objective of Role: The Credible Messenger at GOSO is a frontline, relationship-centered role designed to engage, mentor, and support justice-involved youth and young adults (ages 16–24) as they navigate incarceration and reentry. Grounded in lived experience, the Credible Messenger serves as a trusted guide, advocate, and role model, building authentic connections that foster accountability, healing, and long-term stability.

A central function of this role is to bridge the gap between participants and clinical services, serving as a liaison and trusted intermediary between participants and the Participant Success Manager (Licensed Social Worker). The Credible Messenger plays a critical role in building rapport, increasing engagement, and ensuring that participants feel safe, understood, and supported within GOSO’s community-based environment..

Through restorative practices, trauma-informed engagement, and real-world guidance, the Credible Messenger helps participants develop emotional regulation, life skills, and pathways toward education, employment, and personal growth, while ensuring seamless communication and trust between participants and program staff.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitate programming and mentorship at Rikers Island a minimum of twice per week.
• Establish and maintain strong, consistent, and trust-based relationships with participants ages 16–24.
• Use lived experience as a tool to authentically connect, motivate, and guide participants through personal challenges.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating accountability, emotional intelligence, and pro-social behavior.
• Provide individualized mentorship focused on goal setting, decision-making, and personal development.
• Serve as a liaison within the community space, helping participants feel comfortable accessing clinical and case management support.
• Support warm handoffs and coordinated care between mentorship, case management, and therapeutic services.
• Help reduce resistance or distrust participants may have toward systems or formal services.
• Build rapport with incarcerated youth to support pre-release engagement and continuity into community-based services.
• Utilize restorative justice principles to guide conversations, repair harm, and build community.
• De-escalate conflicts and high-stress situations using trauma-informed techniques and personal credibility.
• Assist participants in navigating barriers such as housing instability, unemployment, education gaps, and legal obligations.
• Educate and inform staff of current or potential participant conflicts based on clients’ social backgrounds, community affiliations, neighborhood dynamics, or interpersonal history in order to support proactive intervention and de-escalation efforts.
• Provide input and recommendations for individualized and program-wide safety planning strategies based on participants’ social backgrounds, community dynamics, and identified conflict risks to help maintain a safe environment for staff and participants.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of participant engagement and progress.
• Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and training.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Uphold confidentiality and adhere to all program policies and procedures.

Work Schedule & Flexibility:

• This is a full-time, in-person role with significant community and facility-based engagement.
• Eligibility for one designated work-from-home day per week is granted after 90 days of employment and is contingent upon satisfactory job performance, program needs, and supervisor approval.
• The work-from-home day is intended for administrative responsibilities, documentation, planning, and virtual meetings.

Essential Skills:

• Excellent work ethic and reliability
• Strong commitment to mission-driven work
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Effective communication (verbal and written)
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work in fast-paced environments and manage multiple priorities

Qualifications:

• Lived experience with the justice system strongly preferred or relevant higher education.
• Experience working with youth ages 16–24 required.
• Background in mentorship, reentry, or youth development preferred.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Passion for working with justice-involved youth.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

How to Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to: jobs@gosonyc.org. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered.

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