Street Outreach Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

About Start Corporation

Start Corporation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984. Our Mission is to promote opportunities, which enhance the self-sufficiency of people to empower them to live and function independently.

Job Description

Start's Street Outreach team provides Coordinated Entry and case management services to individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness. They will also experience working in homeless services, case management, and data entry are preferred.

 
Minimum Requirements

• Open availability for late day shifts or weekends as needed
• High School Diploma or GED
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Be over 18 years of age
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Personal experience of being homeless is preferred

Core Competencies

• Communicates respectfully and effectively and establishes professional relationships through active listening and demonstration of empathy and positive regard.
• Assists clients in identifying strengths, needs, and realistic goals to develop a service plan.
• Accurately identifies risk and responds appropriately.
• Effectively teaches social skills and household management skills.
• Demonstrates knowledge of behavioral health symptoms, interventions, and impact.
• Maintains professional boundaries and operates within agency / ethical guidelines.
• Knowledge of agency and community resources and referral processes.

Job Duties / Skills Required 

• Promotes recovery, independence, and personal choice for participants.
• Provides outreach to individuals in the streets, shelters, and anywhere designated that homeless individuals may congregate. Whenever they may congregate.
• Transports clients as needed using a company vehicle.
• Potentially works a non-regular schedule to better meet the needs of the community.
• Coordinates the care for individuals, providing advocacy, housing search, mental health education, daily living skill training, and supportive counseling.
• Accompanies individuals to appointments through the use of public transportation.
• Coordinates referrals and linkages to housing, mental health, substance abuse; medical and various social service providers as needed for the individual.
• Utilize evidence-based practices, including motivational interviewing and CBT skills, when engaging individuals with their recovery.
• Provides frequent face-to-face contact in order to engage and maintain individuals with services and housing.
• Maintains contact with service providers to encourage referrals and ensure effective coordination of services.
• Participates in weekly supervision to review cases and issues related to level of service.
• Engage in diversion and assessment activities to effectively help individuals resolve homelessness and get matched with appropriate services.
• Attend outreach and other community meetings to coordinate with other outreach workers and community service providers.
• Collaborate and coordinate services with appropriate community agencies.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with community partners and work together to identify and improve processes that enhance service.
• Maintain electronic records, reports, and statistics necessary for program functioning and evaluation.
• Accept responsibility for professional competency as appropriate.
• Is familiar with and liaises with hospitals and community agencies.
• Advocate on behalf of clients and/or support them to advocate for themselves.

Benefits include: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability and life insurance; paid time off; 13 paid holidays per year for regular full-time employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.