Job Description

Popsicle Place provides shelter and services for families experiencing homelessness while dealing with the needs of a medically fragile child. We are seeking a responsible and energetic individual with a passion for serving families experiencing homelessness. Under the supervision of the Outreach Manager, the Popsicle Place Outreach Coordinator will coordinate with hospitals, clinics, and other health providers in navigating homelessness resources, housing diversion, and shelter access.

The Popsicle Place Outreach Coordinator will work individually with families, health care providers, and specialists to identify safe sheltered solutions and alternative housing arrangements that quickly resolve the family’s housing crisis through a combination of direct service and financial assistance.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a Monday - Friday, 9am -  5pm schedule. Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday hours may be required. This position will require some work in the community with office hours at a South Lake Union location. 

Compensation for this position is between $22.00 and $25.50 per hour. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and facilitate trainings and workshops for health care providers, in collaboration with the Outreach and Diversion Director.
• Develop and maintain accurate data procedures and train department to accurately use these data procedures.
• Assure that families and health care providers are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or socioeconomic background.
• Provide resource referral and follow-up assistance to families experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
• Work in partnership with health care providers to connect with unsheltered families in need of outreach and housing services.
• Embrace Housing First principles and implement programming that promotes those principals.
• Travel throughout King County to meet with clients at hospitals and clinics where they are receiving care.
• Assist families in advocating for their needs and accessing services and resources. Act as a liaison between families, health care providers, landlords, and involved community agencies and maintain ongoing communication with other providers as needed.
• Conduct a needs assessment with each family and work to create an individualized service plan based on identified goals. 
• Review and refer families based off on needs assessment, ensuring consistency in referrals between outreach, diversion, and health services teams.
• Assist families to creatively identify solutions and alternate housing arrangements that quickly resolves their housing crisis
• Assess the financial situation of families and their need for supportive services such as employment assistance, budgeting, and/or credit repair.
• Provide support for families as necessary to secure safe and stable housing, providing financial assistance where necessary.
• Maintain accurate and confidential guest records and electronic files in required database systems.
• Maintain accurate and timely statistics and documentation to meet program goals and contractual requirements.
• Facilitate Popsicle Place referrals between health care providers, health services, and shelter staff.
• Adhere to staff guidelines as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS/

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree in social services or related field; or equivalent experience. Experience working in a shelter setting or with homeless population strongly desired
• Understanding of issues related to poverty, homelessness and the educational and social service systems that serve low income people
• Understanding of the health care system in King County and/or experience in a health care setting.
• Basic understanding of Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care is strongly desired
• Sensitivity to the needs of clients who are experiencing homelessness, low income, limited English speaking, or impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse or other barriers to employment
•  Ability to work with people who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and significant trauma with a compassionate and trauma informed approach
• Commitment to diversity and ability to work well with diverse family styles and multi- ethnic populations.
• Ability to set appropriate boundaries and maintain calm demeanor in a chaotic setting
• Strong communication and documentation skills
• Basic knowledge of Housing First principles
• Demonstrated problem solving, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills
• Ability to manage agency funds with discretion and accuracy
• Access to reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and vehicle insurance that meets Washington State’s minimum guidelines, and the ability and willingness to travel throughout King County on a daily basis
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends in response to family needs
• Willingness and ability to work with people from a variety of racial, cultural, social and economic backgrounds with various lifestyles, sexual orientations, and of all ages and genders

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

• Ability to converse with and listen to people in many different settings

• Ability to use a computer and telephone, as well as other standard office equipment

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis

• Ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 25 pounds

• Work takes place in a social services environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required

• Travel to program sites and meetings outside the site and around the county is necessary

• Ability to work in an environment where there may be animals present, including dogs

In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. Mary’s Place will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship to Mary’s Place would result.

DETAILS

Mary's Place offers the following benefits to full-time staff:

•   Medical and dental insurance with the cost for core employee coverage paid at 100% by the company and competitive family   rates 
• Basic Life Insurance of $50,000 at no cost to employee; option to buy up for additional coverage
• 403(b) plan with a 50% employer match on the first 6% employee contribution. Eligible to participate upon hire; eligible for the match after first year of employment. 
• Unlimited use ORCA pass for a small deduction per pay period 
• 10 days paid time off (PTO) each calendar year (accrued by pay period) 
• 10 days of sick time each calendar year (accrued by pay period) 
• 10 days of flexible floating holidays each calendar year (accrued 40 hours on January 1st and 40 hours on July 1st). Prorated based on date of hire for first year of employment. 
• Employee Assistance Program

Mary’s Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Company Description

Mary’s Place provides safe and inclusive shelter and services for women, children and families on their journey out of homelessness. We operate a women’s day center and several 24x7 family centers/shelters in King County. We serve hundreds of families–moms, dads, and children–providing a safe place for them to be inside and together at night, along with food, showers, clothing, and access to housing and employment resources. We believe that no one’s child should sleep outside. Valuing diversity and championing equity are core values at Mary’s Place. Mary’s Place is an equal opportunity employer with a culturally diverse work environment and a commitment to social justice.