Outreach Worker

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Full Time Denver, CO, US

Salary Range: $24.26 To $24.26 Hourly

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Outreach Program Manager, the Outreach Worker will be responsible for connecting with youth on the streets to build healthy and strong relationships with these youth in hopes of helping them on their path to self-sufficiency. The Outreach Worker acts as a liaison to inform youth, the community, and businesses about the services offered by Urban Peak to promote the health, safety, and well-being of homeless and runaway youth and to assist them in permanently exiting the street life. Other duties include coverage of program shifts at the Mothership, outreach on the streets and to Denver area shelters, intensive and basic needs case management, and facilitation of activities. This position will ensure that interactions, interventions and environments at Urban Peak are trauma informed and emphasize the physical and emotional safety of youth and staff.

Large encampments in Denver are becoming more commonplace and present a set of unique challenges. Some of the other duties of this position, in collaboration with other outreach workers from partner agencies, that include case managers, outreach workers, a peer support specialist and street nurses, will also serve as the service providers dedicated to engaging marginalized individuals in these complex environments. Services provided will include but are not limited to: crises intervention; supplying of basic needs (socks, food, cold weather gear, etc.); facilitation of increased access to the Urban Peak shelter, micro communities, medical respite, medical and behavioral health care and COVID-related health care and shelter; transportation; client advocacy; and general service linkage. This position will also build relationships and collaborate with Denver Police, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, Parks and Recreation, and other city entities as needed to best engage and serve those living in large encampments.

The Urban Peak Outreach Worker will specialize in connecting with youth under the age of 25 and will work to connect with the youth as Case Managers for longer term case management and support. This position will ensure that interactions and interventions are trauma informed and emphasize the physical and emotional safety of youth and staff.

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Who You Are:

• A master’s degree in social work, psychology, or child development AND a minimum of two (2) years’ treatment-oriented or case management experience; OR a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, human services, or related fields AND three (3) years’ experience working with children/youth; OR 5 years’ full-time (FT) experience with homeless or runaway youth.
• Experience in providing trauma informed care or willingness to adapt this approach is required
• Experience, competence, sensitivity and ability to connect well and work effectively with the homeless youth community, especially youth who identify as LGBTQ, or are often difficult to engage, mentally ill, addicted to substances or otherwise impaired
• Skill in oral and written communications
• Skill in negotiating and mediating, particularly in sensitive situations as well as some skill in crisis intervention and de-escalation
• Able to communicate effectively with a diverse population
• Able to make independent judgement and sound decisions using available information while maintaining appropriate confidentiality
• Able to function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and work with collaborating agencies Lived experience reflective of the youth we serve encouraged but not required
• Must be computer proficient and possess experience of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Understanding of the provision of and commitment to trauma-informed care and positive youth development
• Must be insurable as a driver on Urban Peak’s auto liability policy in order to conduct business on behalf of the agency or transport youth using an Urban Peak vehicle and/or an approved personal vehicle
• Must be QMAP-certified or eligible for QMAP certification.
• Ability to use second language in written and verbal communication is desired but not a requirement (most common languages in the Denver Metro area).
• Must pass both federal and state background checks
• Must pass pre-employment physical
• Must pass pre-employment tuberculosis (TB) screening
• Ability to provide proof of education (HS Diploma OR Official Transcripts)

What You Will Do:

The duties of this position are performed personally, in cooperation with your supervisor, and/or in coordination with other staff. Additional work functions and duties may be assigned.

All Outreach Worker positions will be responsible for performing the general work duties listed:

• Actively represent Urban Peak in the community to persons interested in the issue of homelessness for education, funding, and advocacy purposes
• Works collaboratively with shelters to identify homeless persons living in the shelter that need assistance accessing services and housing
• Attends all required staff meetings and client reviews, being prepared to address client issues
• Assists in conducting yearly Point In Time survey
• Attends professional trainings as required
• Accompanies youth on group outings (e.g., DMV, movies, and other recreational activities)
• Educates and trains volunteers in all aspects of working with youth who are homeless or at high risk of homelessness
• Actively engage youth on the streets, in the Mothership, and other Urban Peak programming
• Accountable to all defined outcomes, both individually and team level
• Track and maintain supplies for the Outreach team, as well as place orders, arrange for pick-up, and communicate clear standards of proper use and storage of items used in the Mothership
• Focuses on a limited number of large encampments and non-congregate shelters prioritized by City. In the least intrusive manner possible, collects aggregate de-identified data on the population and service needs of identified camps. Documents and reports back to supervisors in a timely fashion to inform them of client dispositions, camp trends, and additional services needed.
• Develop, implement, and maintain programming to deliver resources and knowledge to youth on the streets as well as to build community with youth on the streets
• Seek out and build trusting and healthy relationships with youth who are not yet accessing other services at Urban Peak
• Attend Human Trafficking events and represent Urban Peak in Human Trafficking efforts within the community
• Work to provide street youth resources through street outreach using a trauma-informed approach
• Case Management and Referrals
• Collaborates with homeless service providers in the community and Urban Peak programs to provide optimum coordination, communication and continuity of services
• Assists youth into permanent housing and/or family reunification and provide referrals for supportive services to help maintain stability
• Accepts referrals from other agencies and works collaboratively with staff of all agencies to provide contact and to support additional goals
• Implements individual assessments and develops case plans with participating youth to identify needs and provide appropriate resources and services
• Work to provide street youth resources through street outreach using a trauma-informed approach
• Develops relationships with homeless/runaway youth to encourage and assist them in moving from the streets into housing or appropriate reunification with parents/legal guardians, or networks of support
• Provide milieu supervision through a trauma informed approach, working to ensure the physical and emotional safety of the youth and their environment
• Provide youth direction and referrals and cultivate relationships that could eventually move to case management
• Work with youth to maintain cleanliness of the environment

Documentation

• Accurately document all services including assessments, case notes, service plans, and specific services received by client into HMIS
• Collect and maintain accurate data on an ongoing basis
• Document relevant and significant events that occur during the shift in the Communication Log
• Maintain clear and effective communication with other staff regarding clients
• Work to ensure client confidentiality

Intakes and Assessment

• Complete thorough intakes in a manner that begins to establish comfort and trusting relationships
• Assess the level of need and intent of youth and make recommendations regarding youth’s involvement in other Urban Peak programs

What We Offer:

• Shift Schedule : Monday through Friday 8AM to 4PM
• 100% Employer paid Medical and Dental plans - Buy-up plans available
• Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Plan – Health & Dependent Care
• Accident Coverage | Critical Care & Hospitalization Ancillary Plan
• Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D
• Employee Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employer paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 2% Agency Match
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 48 hours Paid Sick Time
• 120 hours of Vacation to start on an accrual basis
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Second Language pay differential upon successfully passing language exam
• Staff support for lateral growth through training and mentorship