POSITION: Outreach Specialist

PROGRAM/LOCATION: Outreach Program serving Santa Clara County

SUPERVISOR: Program Manager

Job Type: Non-Exempt

Job Status: Full Time

PROGRAM AND POSITION SUMMARY:

HomeFirst’s Outreach Team partners with Santa Clara County’s Office of Supportive Housing (OSH) to serve eligible homeless individuals and families through housing programs. The HomeFirst Outreach Team works diligently to locate, engage, and verify eligibility through a variety of evidence-based best practices. Outreach efforts are conducted year-round and include visiting outdoor encampments, shelters, community service providers and highly frequented areas by the unhoused population. Additionally, the team will be responsible for completing the required documentation to enroll people in housing programs, which may include homeless verification, verification of disability, and housing subsidy applications. Once located and program enrollments are complete, individuals and/or families are supported by the outreach team in transitioning to their newly assigned program staff- whether within HomeFirst or with partner agencies.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Services (70%)

• Perform outreach services, contacting homeless persons in all places where they congregate, including encampments, shelters, etc.
• Ensure homeless verification for participants follows HUD and contract standards.
• Conduct a warm handoff of the program participant to the supportive services provider assigned
• Provide home-based outreach to program participants with the goal of re-engagement in program participation
• Encouraging participant re-engagement efforts
• Transport participants in an agency vehicle to the shelter, HomeFirst office, and appropriate destinations.
• Refer located participants to service providers immediately and no later than one business day
• Ensure RRH referrals meets the eligibility criteria for potential enrollment
• Track located and unable to locate referrals through internal Excel trackers etc.
• Understand and engage in executing various outreach strategies to locate and re-engage program participants in services
• Ability to listen, comprehend, and effectively communicate information both in writing and orally with all individuals
• Complete all appropriate data collection, HMIS data entry, documentation, paperwork, and tracking of activities within 3 business days
• Make timely and accurate decisions in emergency or crisis situations with awareness of the need for the safety of all clients, staff, or volunteers involved.

• Provide access and coordination to emergency shelter, meals, showers, and laundry services to unsheltered program participants
• Monitor and update outreach list/referrals trackers
• Weekend and after-hour support required as needed
• Utilize supervision appropriately, maintaining open lines of communication and providing updates on activities regularly
• Know and follow agency and program policies and procedures
• Properly report any suspected cases of abuse
• Collaborate with team members to provide participants with wrap-around support services
• Communicate effectively with service providers to complete warm hand off with clients
• Participate in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency
• Practice Harm Reduction and Housing First models with a strength-based approach
• Other duties as assigned

Documentation (20%)

• Documents, via progress notes in HMIS, all case management activity within 3 business days and maintains all other case file paperwork and documentation
• Participates in ongoing analysis of and program alignment with industry best practices
• Proactively and consistently improves the quality and effectiveness of program services
• Conduct and document ongoing re-assessments of the participant's needs and status

General (10%)

• Attends all meetings and training relevant to this position
• Assists with office-related tasks as needed
• Assists with other duties assigned

Ideal Candidate Qualifications, Characteristics, and Skills

HomeFirst is a diverse company in a diverse field, and the Outreach Specialist desires to work with people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. The Outreach Specialist is relentless in their commitment to ending homelessness via the principles of Housing First and Harm Reduction. This role is further responsible for modeling the values and principles of HomeFirst within the agency and the broader community.

Qualifications

• Lived experience highly valued
• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• Relevant experience or knowledge of non-profit agencies
• Outreach and light touch case management experience
• Clean driving record, Valid CA driver’s license, and legally required insurance; reliable transportation
• Basic computer skills, including knowledge of MS Office applications and the Internet

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge

• Understanding of working with a diverse unhoused population in Santa Clara County
• Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to present oneself and the agency professionally to internal and external audiences. Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with community partners and outside agencies
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain priorities and meet established deadlines
• Exceptional organizational skills
• High level of flexibility and ability to prioritize appropriately
• Ability to work with people of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
• Understanding of and strong adherence to social work ethics
• Ability to work as a collaborative member of a team

Characteristics

• Strong sense of accountability
• Values being part of a coordinated team.
• Demonstrates that the work is participant-centered
• Ability to communicate in a strength-based approach
• Exhibits leadership qualities (e.g., modeling desired behaviors, empowering others to act, appropriately challenging process barriers, celebrating accomplishments, etc.)
• High level of professionalism with internal and external audiences
• High level of cultural awareness, responsiveness, and competency
• Preference for field work over office-based work

ABOUT THE AGENCY:

We serve more than 5,000 adults, veterans, families, and youth each year at eight locations, including the Boccardo Reception Center, which is the county’s largest homeless services center. In

40+ years of experience, we’ve learned that everyone has the potential to get housed and stay housed. We are relentlessly focused on eliminating barriers to housing and stability for everyone we serve.

HomeFirst Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst Services participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.

HomeFirst Services is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

HomeFirst Services takes pride in its safety values, the wellness of our team, and respect for everyone we serve. Due to this commitment, HomeFirst Services is mandating that all employees be vaccinated or render a religious or medical exemption effective September 13, 2021.