Job Description

SCHEDULE: 40 hours, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and one (1) day 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Evenings and weekends (i.e. during inclement weather and as directed by program needs) This position carries a retention bonus of $1500.00, payable in instalments of: $250.00 at 1 month, $ 250.00 at 3 months, $500.00 at 6 months, and $500.00 at one year.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Outreach Specialist will provide outreach and engagement case management services to include identification of chronically homeless individuals, assessment, service planning, referrals for substance abuse/health/mental health care and Housing placement for targeted clients living in a defined area of the streets of Boston as part of a two (2) person team. The Outreach Specialist will utilize a triage assessment tool for persons on the streets assisting with identifying the appropriate level of service need, diverting individuals from homelessness whenever possible. The Outreach Specialist will work closely with the Coordinated Access System, (CAS Match) to match chronically homeless individuals with both needed services, and a housing pathway.

QUALIFICATIONS:

ALL OUTREACH SPECIALIST WILL POSSESS AND EXHIBIT THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES IN THEIR ROLES; 

CLIENT FOCUS: Provides service excellence to guests. Responds to needs in a timely, professional, helpful, and courteous manner.  Keeps guests up to date on progress of services they are receiving and changes that affect them. Appropriately prioritizes needs of guests

ATTENTION TO DETAIL: Works in a conscientious, consistent and thorough manner. Demonstrates clear understanding of documentation requirements for Outreach Specialist role and maintains current accurate documentation.   

MOTIVATING CLIENTS: Inspires guest commitment to their own development toward self-management and independent living.   Looks for and uses intervention motivational techniques, including motivational interviewing. Acknowledges achievements. Helps guests identify their long range plans and goals. Maintains and communicates a positive, yet realistic outlook. Uses a variety of approaches to energize and inspire.  

REQUIREMENTS:

• Associates degree or 60 college credits and in a human services field and,
• LADC or,
• CADC or,
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience working with a homeless population and experience delivering                  community-based case management services to individuals with SUD, COD and SMI
• Valid MA driver’s license in good standing
• Minimum of two (2) years substance abuse, mental health counseling or case management experience
• Knowledge, and experience providing case management services to a complex and vulnerable population
• Knowledge of Stage of Change work as it relates to addiction & MH with individuals experiencing substance abuse, mental illness, trauma, homelessness and/or other complex disorders  
• High degree of cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with diverse people and situations
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds (assisting in physically lifting clients/containers)
• Ability to stretch and bend
• Ability to respond safely and quickly in case of emergency situations
• Ability to travel to and access multiple sites on the streets and within the community
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time and communicate by telephone
• Must be able to drive a PSI vehicle for work
• Highly developed interpersonal and effective communication skills
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; the ability to balance many competing demands. Critically important that the helper have the ability to maintain a solution focus in all situations encountered.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize motivational interviewing skills, evidenced by targeted formal trainings, and certificates of trainings.
• Highly developed professional boundaries and ethical standards

Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity and cultural competency around issues related to homelessness, trauma, mental illness, addiction, and diverse vulnerable populations

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• 60% of the time outreach specialist will be spent outdoors in all types of weather, with much of the time spent walking, standing, or bending
• 40% of the time the outreach specialist will be seated at his or her desk

Preferred:

• BSW, BA or BS in a human service field and,
• One year experience working with a homeless population and experience delivering community-   based case management services to individuals with SUD, COD and SMI.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

CASE MANAGEMENT/MOTIVATION OF CLIENT

• Actively manage an assigned case load of chronically homeless street clients, with the goal of securing housing, and related benefits and services needed to retain housing and empower clients towards greater self–sufficiency.
• Maintain a solution focus in all situations.
• Provide high quality, culturally sensitive, client–centered, intensive housing-and life-safety-focused case management utilizing evidence-based practices of motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care and harm reduction.
• Provide outreach and engagement on the Streets of Boston, and case management work in the office.
• Utilize Trauma-Informed Care when interacting with clients
• Create and maintain according to policy and department goals, case management notes, client charts, daily statistics, HMIS/ETO daily work, and detailed daily summaries.
• Assess clients on their vulnerability, chronicity, substance abuse issues, mental health symptoms, legal issues, health care, employment and income, independent living skills, and community engagement using to guide frequency and type of case management intervention.
• Provide advocacy services with community agencies and other available and appropriate resources, with the goal of supporting each client’s personal growth, enhanced independence and access to housing and external services. Demonstrate initiative in exploring existing and potential resources through the development of positive working relationships with service providers in the Greater Boston community.
• Actively participate in referrals and aftercare/discharge planning to and from treatment programs when appropriate.
• Work with clients to create and implement client–centered, strength– based, individualized plans that have a housing & safety focus.
• Completing triage assessments to divert persons from homelessness, and or identifying needed services and a housing pathway upon completion of triage assessment.
• Work closely with internal and external agencies on CAS Matches through the Coordinated Access System to work with the identified housing pathway, and service provider.
• Ensure “warm-handoffs” occur in all housing placements.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL/DOCUMENTATION 

• Maintain accurate written records and documentation in accordance with program standards including, but not limited to individualized plans, guest charts, incident reports, detailed case notes and referrals and third party billing, when applicable. Maintain HMIS records in a timely and accurate fashion and contribute to Annual Progress Reporting when needed.
• Document all hazardous incidents and intervening appropriately in any unsafe situation
• Adhere to all documentation and policy requirements of contractors, authorities and community partners (ie: BHA, City of Boston)

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in Outreach team events and activities, contributing positively to daily huddles, case conferences and collaborations with third parties when appropriate.
• Consistently identify unsafe or potentially unsafe situations and intervene appropriately to maintain a safe and secure environment for self and others.
• Through daily work, promote a safety conscious working environment. Consistently follow PSI and shelter safety policies and procedures.
• Adhere to TB-testing procedures and complete OSHA trainings
• Attend mandatory Narran trainings and administer Narcan to clients as needed 
• Maintain current certification and attend mandatory trainings in CPR and First Aid and administer CPR and first aid to clients as needed.
• Adhere to the Inn’s mandatory training requirements including CPI, CPI refresher course, Trauma- Informed Care and any other training required by program management
• PSI Outreach Specialists are considered essential employee sunder PSI’s weather emergency policy
• Drive and maintain eligibility to drive PSI vehicles.
• The Outreach Specialist will respond to City of Boston 311 calls in all of Boston Proper, Jamaica Plains, Roxbury, Mattapan, East Boston, and Logan International Airport. This position will pair up in a team of two, and utilize the Pine Street Inn vans as needed to adequately cover the Greater Boston Area. This position will work closely with the clinical supervisors, director of outreach, and the OVAN supervisors to ensure good communication, and coordination of services occurs in response to city, and neighborhood requests for services.
•  Other duties as assigned in order to meet the needs of the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic or other public health or weather emergency.