About Roca

Roca’s mission is to be a relentless force in disrupting incarceration, poverty and racism by partnering with young adults, the police, and systems at the center of urban violence to create safety, address trauma, and find hope.

Roca is a fast-paced, data-driven, and relentless organization that annually serves nearly 1,300 young people at the center of urban violence – the young people most likely to shoot or be shot. Founded just outside of Boston in 1988, Roca operates a nationally acclaimed Intervention Model with five sites in Massachusetts, one in Hartford, CT and one in Baltimore, Maryland.

Over 35 years, Roca has learned that to impact urban violence, we must work directly with the young people and systems at the center of it. Roca’s Intervention Model engages this population of very high-risk young adults in an intensive four-year program to address trauma, teach life-saving cognitive-behavioral skills, and break the cycle of incarceration and poverty that traditional youth programs alone can’t break. And, because it takes all of us, Roca also helps institutions like police and state agencies change the way they work with young people who are traumatized and living at the intersection of gangs, drugs, poverty, violence, immigration challenges, and involvement with multiple public systems.

Roca’s approach is rooted in understanding brain development, neuroplasticity, and the impact of trauma on the brain; the Intervention Model is built on the foundational theories of Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Stages of Change and Systems Change.

Roca is in a period of tremendous growth as we continue to expand our direct service work, lead policy and system change initiatives in Massachusetts and Maryland, and increase our national footprint through the Roca Impact Institute. Complementing our direct service work, the Roca Impact Institute is the coaching arm of our work that scales Roca’s work to cities across the U.S. that are seeking proven approaches to community violence intervention. The Impact Institute enters into intensive, on-the-ground coaching partnerships, showing communities how to implement our research-based, trauma-informed approach violence intervention.

Position Overview

The Roca Security and Front Desk Position reports to Outreach and Safety Manager. As one of the first contacts for staff, participants, and visitors to Roca, this position is critical to supporting a friendly, safe and welcoming culture to support smooth business operations. The primary responsibility of the this role is to ensure safety of the site, visitors, staff and young people.

Responsibilities

Available to work Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Greet visitors, issue visitor and vendor passes and door access cards when necessary.
Manage access control by documenting and keeping record of everyone who comes in and out of the building.
Manage and update safety log that notes young people who are not allowed in the building.
Monitor and authorize entrance of participants and visitors to maintain security of premises.
Use two-way radio for communicating with staff.
Conduct all searches in thorough and professional manner.
Operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of weapons.
Patrol building premises via foot on an hourly basis.
Inform participants of rule infractions or violations and apprehend or escort violators from premises when necessary.
Ensure the security, safety and well-being of all personnel and visitors.
Report any suspicious behaviors and happenings to Outreach and Safety Manager.
Respond to alarms and react in a timely manner.
Check, receive and sign for packages delivered.
Attend weekly safety meeting.
Available to work in the case of special event, meetings or functions at Roca.
Other duties assigned.
Reports to Outreach and Safety Manager

Qualifications

The very nature of Roca’s work requires an individual of great commitment and energy to the mission. Roca seeks a highly driven individual who is a good fit both personally and professionally for the culture of Roca. In addition, the ideal candidate for this position will be a trustworthy decision-maker. He/she will have a sense of humor, feel passionate and committed to the work with high risk youth, and demonstrate interest in organizational success.

Roca expects candidates to have the following skills:

High School Diploma /Equivalent work experience accepted
2-3 years of security and safety experience
Understanding and experience working with high risk/multicultural/diverse young people
Organizing, managing and completing projects and tasks with thoroughness, accuracy, and timeliness
Capacity to think and act intentionally and strategically to help young people change behaviors
Capacity for creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, violence prevention
Self-motivation, initiative, sound judgment, and commitment to ongoing learning are essential
Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred but not required

Requirements for the position:

Flexibility with work hours/schedule as needed
Computer Literacy and timely data submission/entry
Valid state issued driver's license
Criminal background and current driving record check
Strong attendance and high energy

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site

Security/Front Desk