Outreach Specialist

Job DetailsJob Location: San Jose , CA 95112Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $27.00 - $30.00 Hourly About Bill Wilson Center: Bill Wilson Center provides services to children, youth, young adults, and families in Santa Clara County. Additionally, we reach clients through our street outreach and crisis line programs. Bill Wilson Center programs focus on housing, mental health care, supportive services, and advocacy. Bill Wilson Center is committed to working with the community to ensure that every youth has access to the range of services needed to grow to be healthy and self-sufficient adults. A key component of Bill Wilson Center's philosophy encompasses a strength-based approach to improving the lives of the youth and young families in our communities. Bill Wilson Center has been providing services to runaway and homeless youth since 1973. Join us and become a difference maker at Bill Wilson Center! Job Summary: The LGBTQ+ Case Manager and LGBTQ+ Outreach Specialist is part of the Transitional Housing Program (THP) and Behavioral Health teams that serve youth and young adults who may or may not identify as LGBTQ+. This position is responsible for providing case management to support temporarily-housed LGBTQ+ individuals transition into independent housing and conducting outreach to engage unhoused LGBTQ+ individuals and help them connect to services. Under the supervision and direction of the Program Manager of THP, the Case Manager performs the following duties and responsibilities. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: CLIENT ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING Conduct intake assessments to understand each client’s unique needs and situation. Collaborate with clients to develop individualized case plans that address their goals for housing stability, employment, and self-sufficiency. Maintain accurate case management records and reports. RESOURCE CONNECTION AND ADVOCACY Link clients with essential resources like job training, education, healthcare, legal aid, and permanent housing assistance. Advocate for clients in their interactions with government agencies and service providers. SUPPORT AND EMPOWERMENT Provide ongoing support and guidance to clients as they work towards their goals. Help clients develop coping mechanisms, budgeting skills, and life skills necessary for independent living. MONITORING AND EVALUATION Monitor clients’ progress towards achieving their case plan goals. Document casework activities and outcomes. Maintain and update AWARDS and HMIS databases with all client information and data. COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION Collaborate with other staff, outside agencies, and community partners to ensure comprehensive services for clients with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ youth and young adults Collaborate with our marketing team to develop outreach materials and promote activities. Communicate effectively with clients, respecting their privacy and confidentiality. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION Develop and complete engagement activities aimed at LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to take place at Bill Wilson Center locations, and in the community. Conduct street outreach at homeless encampments in collaboration with our Drop-In Center outreach teams. Provide outreach at other community locations (i.e. school, library, clinics, social events) to provide information, linkage, and referral regarding BWC and other community resources to youth and young adults. Facilitate engagement groups related to skills development, independent living, social skills, and mental health support as needed. Provide educational and awareness-raising training both within agency and to community partner agencies to increase knowledge around best practices to serve LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. Serve as a member of our agency’s LGBTQ+ collaborative. Lead planning and execution of outreach events including annual Pride activities. Meet the minimum for billable service time (25%). ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Participate in professional development opportunities. Attend agency and other program meetings and trainings as appropriate. Participate in agency Program Quality Improvement activities and initiatives. Participate in agency Safety initiatives and proactively report safety issues to management immediately. Regular attendance is a requirement of the position. Other duties may be assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. QualificationsEducation and Experience: (B.A.) in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or related field plus 2+ years of relevant case management experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred experience working with homeless clients and or in a shelter setting. Required Skills/Abilities: Strong understanding of LGBTQ+ affirming care and best practices. Ability to work well with a variety of diverse youth and young adults. Driving is a requirement of the job (valid California driver’s license with access to a personal vehicle that can be used for company business inclusive of transporting individuals and supplies, and current personal automobile insurance). Current CPR and First Aid Certification required (or complete within 30 days of hire). Fingerprinting/background check as required by the Department of Justice and/or Title XXII regulations. TB test required. Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts as required for reporting. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software. Knowledge of Google Suite desired. Internet research skills are a plus. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all essential duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand, climb stairs, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Salary Range: $27.00 - $30.00 per hour Employee Benefits & Perks: 4 Weeks Accrued PTO 14 Paid Holidays Per Year Paid Health, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Life Insurance Plans Flexible Spending Plans for Medical, Dependent Care, Parking, and Transit 401 (K) Retirement Plan 24/7 Employee Assistance Program Upward Career Mobility Discounts and Savings through Tickets At Work and LifeMart EEO: Bill Wilson Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency’s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time. #J-18808-Ljbffr