Homeless Outreach Coordinator - Driver

City of Vancouver

5d•$5,477 - $8,216•Onsite

About The Position

As one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is building a city of the future through innovation, sustainable development, excellent leadership and effectively working with an engaged community. Our growth is guided by our core values of livability, sustainability and resiliency, innovation, and equity and inclusion, and we accomplish our work through collaboration, innovation, compassion and empowerment. If who we are speaks to you… And if you’re the kind of person who wants your work to matter—who believes challenging situations call for compassion, creativity, perseverance, and meaningful human connection—you may be the kind of person we’re looking for. Consider joining a team that is… Dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness while helping create a safer, healthier, and more livable Vancouver for everyone; Whose work impacts individuals, neighborhoods, businesses, community members, and the broader Vancouver community; Involved in some of our community’s most complex challenges—building relationships, connecting people to resources, responding to street and encampment concerns, and fostering understanding and empathy; Responsible for finding a way forward when situations are difficult, while treating every person with dignity, respect, and compassion; supporting community safety and well-being; connecting people with services and resources; responding to homelessness-related street and encampment crises; addressing sanitation and health concerns; Invested in building a Vancouver where everyone has an opportunity to experience dignity, belonging, and a good quality of life; building trust and relationships; advancing equity and inclusion; embracing innovation and creative problem-solving; strengthening community resiliency through both immediate response and long-term solutions. If you’re looking for work that challenges you, connects you with people, calls on you to think creatively, and gives you the opportunity to make a tangible difference in your community then the City of Vancouver may be for you. We're currently recruiting for two Homeless Outreach Coordinators. Under the direction of the City Manager’s Office, operate as a member of the City’s Homeless Assistance and Resources Team (HART) to address impacts related to homelessness within the City of Vancouver by collaborating with City departments, external service providers, and non-profits to connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness with supportive resources. This position frequently performs field outreach duties alongside other HART members and requires the regular operation of a City vehicle to travel independently or with another HART member to perform field outreach, transport supplies, and coordinate responses at encampment and other community locations.

Requirements

Two (2) years of experience in a related field working with people experiencing homelessness.
Equivalent to a Associate's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field
Intermediate skills in Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Ability to maintain eligibility for operation of City vehicles under the City’s Vehicle Use Policy is required for continued employment.
Comprehensive understanding of the complexity of causes of homelessness
Comprehensive understanding and practices to connect un-housed individuals with appropriate non-profit and community organizations.
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of local Homeless Crisis Response System, other supportive services/resources, and how to access them.
Comprehensive understanding of working with field crews in a variety of settings.
Familiarity with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
Demonstrated high-level proficiency to write technical reports and speak to a wide variety of audiences
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Possess good organizational and time-management skills, demonstrate good judgment, excellent problem-solving abilities and always maintain a professional demeanor.
Demonstrated punctual, regular and reliable attendance is required.
Ability to work in difficult field setting with a variety of staff and constituents
Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
Use of personal computers and basic software
Ability to coordinate and work with people of different organizations, various other stakeholders, and individuals experiencing homelessness from a variety of backgrounds.
Ability to build and cultivate partnerships within and outside the City organization in support of a coordinated approach to handling litter, sanitation, individual behaviors, and other activities that may accompany homeless encampments
Ability to manage highly sensitive information
Ability to safely and independently operate a City vehicle for work purposes, including during varying weather and traffic conditions
Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles
Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
Provide a high level of customer service at all times
Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others
Consistently provide quality service
Maintain regular and dependable attendance
Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.
Subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check and a basic criminal background check and a driving abstract.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a team leader or supervisor is preferred.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

With direction and prioritization from the Homeless Response Coordinator, operate a City vehicle to travel to and from outreach locations, monitor areas where encampments are commonly found, and respond to community member requests for outreach.
In conjunction with other HART members, evaluate condition of encampments to address immediate health and safety concerns, and report clean-up/sanitation needs.
Build relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness; work with individuals to identify barriers preventing participation in services and a means to overcome those barriers; provide assistance/support encouraging utilization of community services.
Research community resources and participate in Homeless Crisis Response System coordination/collaboration meetings.
Work closely with members of law enforcement (VPD Officers) assigned to the HART as a means to identify an individual's barriers to connecting with resources.
Participate in Community Court when appropriate to support its mission to enhance community trust and quality of life by promoting participant accountability and providing connections to individualized services for participants.
May accompany officers or other HART/outreach staff to field locations as part of coordinated outreach efforts.
Prepare and conduct presentations to community groups, boards, commissions and councils to gain support and cooperation for program initiatives and efforts.
Consult and coordinate with service providers and the community to facilitate and implement innovative responses to homelessness.
Maintain program records in accordance with grant requirements, and other applicable standards and regulations; may complete demographic logs, statistical information, complete housing assessments, and map homeless encampments.
Transport outreach supplies and other items as needed between City facilities, service provider locations, and encampment sites.
Safely operate a City or personal vehicle in accordance with all traffic laws and City policies to perform field outreach and related duties.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace.
We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work.
The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace.
The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.
At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures.
We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity.
Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws.
We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.
Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions.
Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process.
Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process.