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Outreach Specialist

Neighborhood Properties, Inc.

Outreach Specialist

Toledo, OH
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Job Description

    Outreach Specialists are positions funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and Homeless Outreach and Person-Centered Engagement (HOPE) programs.

    This position is responsible for engaging homeless persons with a serious mental illness, and substance use disorder, who are not linked with behavioral health care services. The purpose of the engagement is to link the target population to mental health and/or substance abuse services, housing, and other services and supports that will improve the individuals quality of life and end their homelessness.

    This is an hourly part-time position which may require a schedule consisting of non-traditional hours, to assure maximum availability to tenants. Some of the work is completed off-site, as well on on-site at the main office. The Outreach Specialist will be expected to submit a record of time spent actively working through the use of a standard time sheet.

    REQUIREMENTS

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below 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.

    Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties as may be assigned.

    Support Services

    • Implement specific tasks to accomplish goals and objectives of the HOPE programs following state guidelines and federal requirements
    • Coordinate intake and individualized needs assessment for all clients and work with clients to develop Individualized Service Plans (ISP) that address barriers to obtain services/housing and/or perform a warm handoff to in-house case manager.
    • Perform outreach services, contacting homeless persons in all places where they congregate or stay.
    • Provide supportive services in a non-judgmental manner.
    • Drive the outreach van and transport clients to appropriate services.
    • Crisis intervention for homeless in the community.
    • Monitor and evaluate clients progression through their Individual Service Plan (ISP) and develop modifications to the plan as necessary.
    • Provide information, referrals, linkages, and advocacy to assist clients in accessing services and resources. Assist clients with procuring necessary documents and services such as identification card, birth certificate, social security income, disability income.
    • Identify appropriate permanent housing options for clients such as subsidized housing, Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, and VASH, as well permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities.
    • Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords.
    • Work days and evenings with target population where the work schedule may vary depending on the needs of the homeless population.
    • Collaborates with homeless service providers, business establishments, law enforcement, human service providers and appropriate others to help identify homeless persons who appear to have a serious mental illness and are not currently linked with the mental health system.
    • Link eligible consumers to the behavioral health care system for services, assist with housing placement (permanent, when possible), and help consumers access other needed services such as medical care and entitlements.
    • Completes all necessary paperwork including reporting and progress notes in a complete, accurate and timely manner.
    • Participates in NPI and community projects and meetings.
    • Adheres to NPIs policies and procedures including confidentiality and professional code of ethics.

    Contract Management

    • Achieve knowledge of the contracts and grants working under.
    • Maintain client related data tracking systems, including case notes and complete HMIS entries.
    • Submit reports (including personnel, critical incident reports, major unusual incidents, etc.) and review reports or problems with superior.
    • Prepare case-related reports including outcomes, successes, and challenges.
    • Generate client data for monthly reports. Assists with audits and program monitoring as required.
    • Maintain complete and accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with federal, state, county, and HOPE guidelines.
    • Complete follow-up and retention services and provide back-up documentation in client files.

    Outreach and Relationship Management

    • Outreach to community, business owners, realtors, landlords, housing developers and other service providers to identify new and existing opportunities and build strong relationships to better assist clients in accessing resources, employment, supportive services, and housing opportunities.
    • Respond to community requests for street outreach intervention.
    • Mediate disputes between homeless persons and community members/neighborhood stakeholders.
    • Attend collaborative meetings.
    • Actively participate in staff meetings and trainings.
    • Network with other agencies, coalitions, and local community meetings.

    Program Policy Development and Improvement

    • Participates in staff development
    • Carries out policies and procedures of the NPI
    • Participates in agency-wide projects
    • Performs other related duties as requested

    ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:

    1. Psychology Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
    2. Therapy and Counseling Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
    3. Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
    4. Sociology and Anthropology Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
    5. English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
    6. Clerical Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
    7. Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
    8. Cultural Awareness - Knowledge of the culture and factors of homeless including mental illness, chemical dependency treatment, domestic violence, and economic disenfranchise.
    9. Customer Service and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

    ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

    1. Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help others.
    2. Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
    3. Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
    4. Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
    5. Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
    6. Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
    7. Computer Use - Basic skills with Microsoft Office software.

    ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

    1. Possessing the ability to work with a diverse demographic of customers from all cultures, ethnicities, races and backgrounds.
    2. Professional approach to activities and relationships with customers, staff, public, other agency staff and any other persons related to customer.
    3. Knowledge of local mental health agencies and related housing organizations.
    4. Ability to work on projects requiring focus on specific details and a high degree of integrity, self-motivation, and confidentiality.
    5. Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with autonomy.
    6. Ability to function as part of a team while demonstrating high levels of professional and personal integrity.
    7. Maintains relationship required boundaries with tenants and staff.
    8. Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license and be insurable by NPI insurance carrier.

    EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

    • Education Associate Degree preferred in a related social or human service field preferred; or two years of related work experience may be substituted for a degree.
    • Experience One year of professional experience working with people living with a mental illness or substance use disorder, and one year of experience in street outreach preferred.
    • Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office. HIMS training a plus.
    • Project a professional demeanor.
    • Able to work independently and as part the team.
    • Exercises mature judgment.
    • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
    • Maintain a regular attendance
    • Must maintain and execute confidential information.

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

    The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Sit up to 6 hours in a regular workday Stand 4 - 6 hours in a regular workday

    Climb 1 2 hours in a regular workday Lift up to 40 pounds as needed

    Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Position requires ability to work both inside and outside as needed.

    Outside work has exposure to rain, snow, heat, cold and traffic fumes on a regular basis. Inside work may involve exposure to household fumes and dust on a regular basis.

    SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

    WORK ENVIRONMENT:

    The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Position requires ability to work both inside and outside as needed. Outside work has exposure to rain, snow, heat, cold and traffic fumes on a regular basis. Inside work may involve exposure to household fumes and dust on a regular basis.