Behavioral Health Outreach Specialist - Belltown

Evergreen Treatment Services•Seattle, WA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS) is seeking a Behavioral Health Outreach Specialist to join their REACH Program in Seattle, Belltown. This full-time position focuses on engaging individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health conditions, providing outreach-based care coordination, multidisciplinary clinical services, and support to access and maintain housing. The program operates on principles of harm reduction, respect, and dignity, incorporating a racial equity lens to dismantle systems of oppression and address historical trauma. The goal is to build a robust behavioral health response that diverts individuals from the justice system and empowers them to thrive. Services range from survival support to linkages with essential resources like housing, legal assistance, healthcare, entitlements, and treatment for substance use and mental health conditions. The REACH team is dedicated to creating a hospitable and welcoming environment, valuing diversity, racial equity, social justice, hard work, creativity, and a good sense of humor. Individuals impacted by the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
A minimum of three years’ experience in work related to social work or outreach programs.
Experience providing services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness and behavioral health conditions from a harm reduction perspective is essential.
An understanding of racial justice and social equity and a commitment to helping create an equitable environment for all ETS clients and patients as well as fellow staff.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, patients, and staff from a wide variety of ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
Strong interpersonal skills and verbal/ written communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload, work independently, and complete tasks timely and efficiently.
Punctual, dependable, able to work under pressure, receptive to change, willingness to learn, cooperative approach to problem solving.
Flexible team player, with excellent attention to detail.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion when handling highly sensitive information.
Ability to set boundaries, resolve conflict and de-escalate issues.
Computer literate, with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, as well as a high level of initiative in keeping current with technological change.
Local travel on behalf of the agency is a job requirement.
Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record is required for use of a program vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate degree with coursework in the social service field preferred.
Knowledge of King County resources for behavioral health and substance use treatment preferred.

Responsibilities

Engage clients living on streets and encampments with low barrier resource navigation.
Maintain engagement with case management services.
Establish partnerships with other providers and organizations to coordinate care.
Conduct assessments and provide referrals to services such as shelter, case management, behavioral and physical healthcare, substance use treatment, harm reduction resources, and housing.
Forge pathways and partnerships with outpatient mental health and substance use treatment providers, emergency departments, community-based organizations, and neighborhood businesses.
Pair with REACH staff to engage people living outside with unmet mental health and substance use treatment needs.
Coordinate linkage to appropriate services, including outpatient behavioral health programs and crisis-oriented programs.
Conduct warm handoffs from streets to behavioral health appointments, and from hospitals and jails to community placements.
Provide risk-reduction and safer use strategies, substance use disorder assessment, intervention, and linkage to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and recovery support services.
Serve as a subject matter expert for helping clients access behavioral health and substance use treatment, providing consultation to other REACH staff.
Advance Mission & Vision: Help ETS succeed in carrying out its mission through working together with other staff to transform systems of harm and inequity to create different approaches to improving community health and safety through addressing substance use, mental health and homelessness.
Assist with the organization-wide initiative to reimagine our interconnectedness within our community to overcome the aspects of our society and organizational culture shaped by white supremacy and settler colonialism.
Build trusting relationships with clients who are living outside, use drugs, and have mental health needs, emphasizing harm reduction practices.
Conduct brief assessments to understand clients' substance use patterns, mental health status, and social determinants of health.
Assess the nature and severity of clients’ behavioral health needs and match clinical interventions to the individual’s stage of change.
Develop individualized harm reduction plans in collaboration with clients, focusing on reducing risks associated with drug use and unmet mental health needs.
Utilize clinical supervision, psychiatric consultation and peer support for exploring clinical intervention strategies, resource development, self-care and burnout prevention.
Educate clients on safer drug use practices, overdose prevention, and accessing harm reduction resources.
Utilize Motivational Interviewing to provide brief, ongoing counseling and support to help clients set achievable goals related to their mental health, substance use and overall well-being.
Assist clients in navigating social services, healthcare systems, and community resources to address their housing, employment, and healthcare needs.
Coordinate with external agencies and service providers to ensure comprehensive care and support for clients, including medical detox and inpatient substance use or psychiatric treatment when indicated.
Conduct street outreach to engage with individuals who may be hesitant to access traditional services.
Develop and maintain productive, respectful relationships with community stakeholders and other resources including SUD and mental health treatment providers.
Identify gaps and barriers in available community resources and advocate for systemic changes that will facilitate easier access to care for individuals facing the most barriers.
Participate in regional and local meetings that pertain to initiatives related to addressing the behavioral health needs of people experiencing homelessness or housing instability in King County.
Participate in case conferencing meetings for outreach and other homeless service providers to discuss clients with high barriers to accessing services.
Maintain accurate and confidential client records in compliance with organizational policies and legal requirements.
Collect data and prepare reports on activities per agency and contract requirements.
Participate in program evaluation and quality improvement activities to enhance service delivery and outcomes.
Provide services consistent with ETS/REACH policies and procedures.

Benefits

Medical and Dental benefits
Voluntary Vision benefits
403b Retirement Plan with employer match
Roth IRA
Basic Life/ADD/FSA tax saving accounts for health and dependent care
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Voluntary long-term disability coverage
Vacation (2 weeks/year, access at 6 months)
Sick leave (24 days/year, access at 30 days)
Mental health leave (12 days/year, access at 30 days)
Holidays (12 days/year)
One Floating Holiday per year
Wellness stipend ($50/month)
Transportation stipend or pass
Mileage and parking reimbursement when traveling for work
License renewal reimbursement
Tuition/training assistance
Referral bonus ($100/$250)
Sign-on bonuses for some positions at certain times
Longevity awards ($50 - $750 over milestone anniversaries, and for REACH programs)
Discounts for Woodland Park Zoo, Verizon Wireless, and Corporate Shopping.
Professional development opportunities