Consumer Advocate, Outreach

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.

Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, t he Consumer Advocate, Outreach , works with people experiencing street homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in Queens with the objective of engaging individuals to connect them to appropriate social and medical services and , ultimately, to help improve their overall health and wellbeing and secure appropriate housing solutions.

T he Consumer Advocate, Outreach , build s a relationship with clients utilizing motivational interviewing to encourage client s to work towards self-identified housing, health, and other goals. The Consumer Advocate spend s most of the shift in the field using public transportation and/or on foot conducting street outreach, accompanying clients to appointments, and following up on service referrals. The Consumer Advocate c onduct s assessments, engag es client s in self-directed service planning, and enter s all required data into required database s .

This is a part-time position, approximately 15-20 hours per week. This position will work fully onsite at a program site/in the field.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engage with identified persons currently experiencing homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in BOROUGH

• Draw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections

• Conduct required assessments

• Attend clinical supervision and training

• Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencie s

• Collaborate with Parks Dept., NYPD, DSNY, MTA, and other agencies

• Accompany clients to appointments and follow up on service referrals

• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent required

• Minimum 2 years of related experience

• Lived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues , and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection preferred

• Knowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, immigration, and employment resources

• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams

• Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is a condition of employment

• Bilingual preferred

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled

Job Details

Pay Type Hourly

Hiring Min Rate 20.71 USD

Hiring Max Rate 20.71 USD