Homeless Outreach Worker

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title

Homeless Outreach Worker

Reports to

Senior Manager of Homeless Outreach

FLSA / WAGE

Non-Exempt / $21.65 - $24.61 per hour

Original Date:

December 2018

Revised:

July 2027

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for providing street outreach to individuals who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Outreach responsibilities include:

1. Meeting members in the field and engage in basic conversation while assessing individual needs.
2. Provide informal one-on-one care and discuss available services such as housing and disability assistance, and mental health and substance use treatment.
3. Make referrals to other service providers or agencies.
4. Engage in other activities that promote recovery or stability for the individual, including assistance with obtaining identifying documentation.
5. Offer assessment and recovery services for persons with co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance use disorders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Conduct outreach to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Davidson County to assist in obtaining housing, income, insurance, and mainstream services.
   1. Canvassing mapped areas of Davidson County consistently to locate and engage people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the streets and in encampments.
   2. Engaging people experiencing unsheltered homelessness to reduce the risk of harm and to enhance safety (e.g. increasing access to cold weather gear, crisis services, etc.)
   3. Attempting to engage people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in a manner that promotes trust, safety, and autonomy, while developing relevant goals.
   4. Guiding people to achieve and maintain positive change. Reinforcing healthy behaviors and supporting skill-building and the development of needed support.
   5. Interviewing people experiencing homelessness to gather needed information and documentation for housing and services including the VI-SPDAT, universal data elements for HMIS and other required HMIS data elements for Coordinated Entry and any grant specified requirements.
   6. Establishes rapport with individuals who are experiencing homelessness and gathers information to serve them better. Trust building activities like meeting the client where they are—from campsites to community feedings—is emphasized.
   7. Assist members in obtaining identifying documentation such as a social security card, birth certificate, and state ID or driver’s license.
   8. Is trained in housing navigation through Nashville’s Coordinated Entry System and assists all appropriate members through the housing application process.
   9. Linking people experiencing homelessness to mainstream services like housing navigation, healthcare, SNAP, SOAR services, etc.
2. Value cultural competence and diversity

1. Collaborate with staff, members, and the community to gain the perspectives of others having diverse opinions, abilities, values, beliefs, perspectives, and ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
2. Take deliberate steps to increase your own cultural competency by attending trainings, events, discussions, workshops, etc.

1. Other duties
   1. Attends local community meetings regarding homeless services and advocacy including Outreach meetings, Nashville Coalition for the Homeless meetings, Coordinated Entry System Care Coordination meetings, etc.
   2. Participates in other Park Center agency activities such as special events and working designated holidays, including Thanksgiving or Christmas, as scheduled.

1. Participates in annual Point in Time Count which involves working overnight to take a census of the local homeless population.

1. Adheres to all program policies and procedures.
2. Completes documentation of each member encounter within 3 business days of the encounter.
3. Will be cross trained in other job duties, such as SOAR and housing navigation, to act as a support person to co-workers on the outreach team.
4. Completes all other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Sociology, Social Work or related field preferred; or equivalent experience in social services field (ex. Peer Support Certification and experience).
• Minimum 1-year prior experience navigating or working in the social services, homelessness, or mental health and substance use field.
• Experience as team lead in prior roles or leadership positions preferred.
• Eager to learn
• Committed to customer service
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and incorporate feedback into practice
• Demonstrate commitment to org mission and values
• Deep understanding and appreciation for how social inequities impact health and housing outcomes.
• Strong ability to work within a team with flexibility to help with coverage.
• Strong time management skills and ability to independently meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and ability to foster partnerships with other providers.
• Ability to work in a professional and ethical manner.
• Must have proven written and verbal communication skills and computer literacy.
• Must have a valid drivers’ license
• Must be able to show proof of personal automobile insurance.
• Must be insurable under Park Center's automobile insurance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Will have a desk, workstation, cell phone, and a shared office
• Able to operate with many distractions
• Hybrid office environment
• Home office environment must be able to provide privacy due to HIPPA information
• Commitment to consistent communication with teammates and supervisors regarding location while in the field, in case of emergency, or to ask for assistance
• Spends considerable amount of time “in the field,” including on the streets, in homeless camps, and at other community agencies and where individuals experiencing homelessness congregate.
• Able to use vehicle to transport clients
• Unpredictable and potentially unsafe work environments when “in the field,” i.e. in homeless camps
• Supportive team environment and safety policies designed to limit risk exposure
• In the event of a public health crisis, certain precautions and personal protective equipment may be employed and required for the safety of staff and members

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Able to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Able to move or lift to ten pounds
• Able to climb inclines such as under bridges
• Able to walk on unsteady ground such as in the woods to reach encampments
• Acts as a lead outreach worker and provide support to other coworkers on a day to day basis.
• Completes reports to know how many members have been served.
• Assist the Director with training of other coworkers.
• Assists provide coverage to coworkers.
• Completes all other duties as assigned.

DIRECT REPORTS

None

SCHEDULE

Monday through Friday start time options are as follows: 7:30am-3:30pm, 8am-4pm or 8:30am-4:30pm

WORK LOCATION

Hybrid: field work in Nashville, TN; shared office space (East Nashville office), remote home office capability

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned. Park Center reserves the right to revise or change job tasks and responsibilities.