Homeless Outreach Specialist
21 days ago
Omaha
Job DescriptionABOUT US The Siena/Francis House welcomes, shelters, and empowers individuals experiencing homelessness to navigate their own path to safe and appropriate housing. We provide low barrier emergency shelter to meet the immediate needs of individuals who are experiencing homelessness, and assist them in resolving their housing crisis. JOB PURPOSE: The Homeless Services Outreach Specialist works directly with individuals experiencing homelessness in the community by conducting outreach to unsheltered homeless individuals. This position will provide street-level outreach to clients assessing their needs and providing case management to achieve housing. Much of the work, from initial outreach and engagement through housing, is performed with clients on the street. The position will also collaborate with the neighbors of the Siena Francis House in regards to homeless individuals who may be in need of services. This position requires good listening and communication skills as well as the ability to problem solve and work independently in the community. The Homeless Services Outreach Specialist will collaborate with partner agencies and be the member of the MACCH Continuum of Care outreach team. The hours of this position will be primarily days but will include evening hours 1 day per week, Monday through Friday; some weekends may be required for special events. This position will report to the Case Management Supervisor. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) • Provide outreach to adults who are experiencing homelessness and may have serious psychiatric disabilities as well as substance use disorders., • Interview clients and assess their needs while they are in a community setting. Develop housing plans with clients and assist the client in the housing process including helping with housing applications and apartment searches., • Network with community members and participate in the MACCH Street Outreach team and other task forces/community meetings., • Utilize harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and Trauma Informed Care strategies and techniques., • Maintain active engagement, accessibility to and communication with clients., • Attend staff meetings and training as required., • Assists clients in identification, acquisition, utilization, and maintenance of appropriate community resources including basic food, shelter and clothing, social vocational, and mainstream benefits., • Assists clients in accessing and utilizing available transportation services including bus services; provides transport to persons served to and from needed services and resources as may be required by client need and outlined in the individualized plan., • Complete client records to include eligibility documents, assessment forms, information and referral tracking, and other records as assigned. Document case notes in a timely manner., • Respond to clients’ requests for assistance by assessing service needs and providing direct intervention, information, and referral services as appropriate. Follow-up on referrals in order to assess outcomes and provide additional services as required., • Coordinate with other internal and external staff, including MACCH partners, and programs so that opportunities for participants can be maximized., • Adhere to and practice the organization’s policy, identified techniques and procedures related to prevention and intervention of client escalation., • Adhere to the organization’s policies and practices when using organizational vehicles and/or transporting clients including the use of seat belts at all times, when in the conduct of organizational business; abide by all traffic laws and regulations; and practice safe and defensive driving techniques., • Provide education regarding the services of assigned programs to ensure that appropriate referrals are made to Siena Francis House programs, respond to agency inquiries concerning services, and attend workshops and conferences as appropriate to maintain knowledge of issues facing individuals experiencing homelessness., • Use appropriate technology tools to accomplish job functions; understand and utilize available technology as customer service, communication, and data gathering tools., • Maintain files and records of clients served, services provided, outreach activities conducted, surveys completed, and other general reporting as assigned., • Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor. JOB REQUIREMENTS • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Exhibit a pleasant and professional manner of speaking, proficient in the English language – proficiency in Spanish a plus., • Good writing skills using emails, completing incident reports, and note-taking for meetings. Effective and professional use of e-mail and internet tools, as needed., • Working knowledge of computers and basic knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and Publisher)., • Demonstrate an appreciation of diversity and cultural sensitivity in a workplace setting., • Able to relate to and communicate with at-risk adults from various socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds., • Excellent team partner, positive attitude; energetic; dedicated to helping the homeless., • Ability to manage and coordinate multiple tasks by organizing work processes and resources to maximize efficiency., • Excellent attendance and dependability., • Ability to maintain confidentiality of information. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS • A bachelor's in social services, rehabilitation, or a related discipline, preferred but not required., • Two years of previous work experience performed with similar responsibilities., • Ability to work with Microsoft Office products., • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills., • Experience (paid or volunteer) with community organizations, especially those serving adults who are experiencing homelessness, preferred., • Ability to stand, walk, and work outside in streets, and homeless camps for up to four hours per shift., • Demonstrated knowledge of outreach methods, interviewing and assessment techniques, and provision of emergency services and referrals., • Demonstrate ability to work as a member of a team and to work effectively with other community agencies in the best interest of the participant and the agency., • A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record by the agency’s insurance company, and proof of personal vehicle insurance. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is an office setting with varying degrees of temperature and noise levels. This position will require being outside at times and exposed to weather conditions. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may 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 stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, lift and/or move up to 20 pounds, and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, and reach with hands and arms. The work environment may have extended working hours, frequent time constraints, and shifting priorities, contributing to physical and mental stress. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Siena Francis House provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law. E-VERIFY: Siena Francis House is a participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For information about the E-Verify program, please visit: