Outreach Specialist

Description

About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap-around care and informed advocacy. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at

Job Title: Outreach Specialist

Location: San Francisco Drop-In, 1060 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Reporting Type: In-person

Employment Type: Full-Time & Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $27.00 per hour

Summary:

Under the supervision of the Outreach Case Manager, the Outreach Specialist engages veterans across San Francisco through field-based outreach and community partnerships, promoting Swords to Plowshares services including the Drop-In and Veterans Community Center (VCC) and the VA Work-Study program. This role identifies underserved areas, builds relationships with community providers, and connects veterans to care.

The Outreach Specialist provides direct supportive services, including advocacy, crisis intervention, emotional support, and resource referrals, while coordinating client participation in programs and maintaining accurate records. The role also supports older adults and adults with disabilities by assisting with transportation to appointments and services to reduce barriers to access.

Responsibilities:


• Conduct targeted outreach to veteran older adults and adults with disabilities throughout the City and County of San Francisco, promoting Swords to Plowshares (Swords) services and other community resources.

• Perform outreach in a variety of community settings, including public spaces, encampments, community events, businesses, non-profit and faith-based organizations, healthcare centers, and housing sites.

• Collaborate with community partners to coordinate and participate in outreach efforts, as identified by supervisor.

• Educate veterans on available services and support access to care through advocacy, resource referrals, and navigation of community systems.

• Provide direct, one-on-one assistance to clients, including transportation to medical, housing, and other essential appointments.

• Deliver supportive services including advocacy, crisis intervention, and emotional support to promote client stability and engagement.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of outreach activities, client interactions, and service delivery to meet contractual goals, reporting, and billing requirements.

• Coordinate client participation in programs and maintain up-to-date client records in accordance with organizational standards.

• Adhere to all confidentiality laws and reporting requirements, including HIPAA, and follow Swords' policies and procedures while in the field.

• Promotes the San Francisco Drop In Center as an approved site for the VA Work-Study program.

• Support or facilitate educational workshops or groups as assigned.

• Perform other related duties as requested and in alignment with program needs.

• Must be able to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation

Desired Qualifications:

• Valid Driver's License in good standing- must be able to drive agency van

• Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills

• Comfortable working with veterans that are unhoused, housed and/or substance use disorders/ mental health.

• A working knowledge of local resources for veterans and/or the broader community

• Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills

• Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Comfortable working with veterans who are unhoused, housed, and/or have substance use disorders/ mental health.

• Strong customer service and networking skills; Ability to develop and maintain ongoing working relationships with community providers via email, phone, and face-to-face for efforts of collaborating and identifying veterans and their needs.

• Comfortable presenting Swords to Plowshares services to groups of veterans and other service providers.

• Flexibility and willingness to perform multiple jobs in a work environment with changing priorities.

• Ability to work independently but also cooperatively and effectively with a team

• Ability to follow through with tasks in a timely manner

• A working understanding of veterans' needs with emphasis on homelessness, mental health, socio-economic, vocational and substance use challenges.

• Ability to withstand prolonged walking and driving when in the field

• Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population, including embracing the agency's Cultural Humility Initiative

• Ability to effectively communicate in English with staff, clients, and external partners and stakeholders.

Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) year experience conducting outreach to unhoused individuals with complex behavioral and/or mental health barriers in the community setting.

• Personal and /or lived experience or military experience that translate to skills related to the position.

Education:

• High School Diploma/ GPD

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Employees, in positions regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week, are eligible for all benefits.

• 100% employer sponsored medical, vision, acupuncture, dental coverage and more. Swords to Plowshares covers partial dependent coverage cost. (Agency paid annual medical deductible paid via Navia HRA Card)

• Employee Assistance Program: 20 mental health counseling appointments available to all employees, regardless of Full-time status, at no cost to employees.

• 403(b) retirement plan immediate enrollment

• Generous annual paid time off : 10 days, 13 paid holidays, and 17 vacation days available the first year!

• Access to third party legal benefits, employee discount program, pet insurance, and Commuter Benefit.

• 1-hour paid lunch period, professional development reimbursements, and annual education allowance available to all employees.

*Employees who work on-call, in a temporary position, or less than 20 hours per week regularly are only eligible for our Employee Assistance Program, paid lunch hour, and San Francisco sick time. Vacation and sick time are pro-rated based upon full-time equivalent percentage.

Organizational Values Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of upholding our values and fostering a supportive culture for all staff and veteran clients. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.

We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. We understand that the veteran community encompasses a multitude of identities, and we believe that our staff and board should as well. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.


Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals-regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status-are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).

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