Homeless Outreach Worker VHBE

City of Aurora•Aurora, CO

2d•$25 - $31•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Aurora is seeking dedicated and collaborative individuals to join their team. This position is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), allowing for up to 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will be eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, accrue paid time off, and receive 11 paid holidays. This is a Term-Limited position with an anticipated end-date of March 31st, 2027. Located in the Housing and Community Services Departments, under the supervision of the Homeless Outreach supervisor, the Homeless Outreach Worker will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with unhoused neighbors, acting as a liaison for individuals and families, and connecting them to services, with the ultimate goal being housing.

Requirements

High School or GED equivalent
2-3 years experience previous outreach experience
Previous professional work with unhoused or vulnerable populations
Experience working in fields that include a mental health or substance use focus
Valid Colorado driver’s license with a clean driving record
Enrollment in HMIS within the first two (2) weeks of employment

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish preferred
Lived experience preferred but not required
Associates degree in social/behavioral sciences or a related field preferred, not required
Basic knowledge of homeless services in Aurora
Trauma Informed Care
Mental Health First Aid
Microsoft Word, Excel, MS Teams
CPR and Narcan administration
Strong interpersonal skills
Communicate with diverse populations.
De-escalation or crisis intervention
Work in a high stress environment with little on-hand supervision
Awareness of your surroundings and knowing when to walk away from a potentially unsafe situation.
Conduct face to face conflict resolution.
Create and maintain strong boundaries with employees and unhoused residents.
Ability to handle the emotional and physical demands of the job, including exposure to high-stress situations and potential physical danger.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, partnering agencies, and unhoused neighbors.
Handle sensitive and pertinent information.
Experience in case management, social services, or homeless outreach.
Skilled in oral and written communication

Responsibilities

Create and maintain rapport and trust with unhoused individuals to address immediate needs.
Housing focused case management
Engage individuals and assess needs (e.g., medical, mental health, substance use, shelter, food access, benefits, and other issues) to properly direct them towards services.
Coordinate and work with different community partners to ensure people are linked to services that assist their needs with the goal of stabilization.
Participate in weekly meetings.
Reach out to encampments prior to and during abatements and offer resources support, and transportation to shelters.
Initiate and support processes that reduce harm to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and advocate for people living outdoors while encouraging them to access shelter and services.
Meet people where they are at through a trauma informed lens.
Support with the abatement process. Discuss abatements and prepare resources to bring to the abatements. During the abatement process, you will provide outreach, transportation, resources, and basic imminent needs. Coordinate closely with abatement team.
Accurately and timely enter data in HMIS and other data entry systems.
Conduct coordinated entry assessments and updates.
Collaborate and create relationships with mental health and substance use providers to provide referrals.
Supply basic needs (socks, food, hygiene kits, weather appropriate gear, etc.)
Use City provided vehicles to visit clients in an appropriate and professional manner, including wellness checks; May occasionally require use of personal vehicle
Partner with police and fire personnel on issues related to homelessness.
Develop individualized housing case plans in collaboration with clients.
Monitor clients' progress towards their goals, offering guidance, encouragement, and resources as needed.
Respond promptly to clients in crisis, offering immediate support and intervention to address urgent needs.
Develop and implement safety plans for clients at risk of harm, ensuring their immediate and long-term safety.
Utilize motivational interviewing and other evidence-based practices to help clients set and achieve realistic goals.
Significant role in reducing public safety risks associated with homelessness, including minimizing utilization of emergency services and public disturbances.
Actively seek and secure housing and shelter placements for clients, including emergency, transitional, and permanent housing options.
Housing Navigation: Coordinate with other facilities, agencies, and property management companies to ensure smooth transitions into housing.
Negotiate rental agreements and deposits to make housing accessible for clients.
Intervene in situations where clients are experiencing suicidal ideation, employing de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention skills to talk them down and connect them with necessary mental health resources
Manage a caseload of 70+ individuals, prioritizing cases based on the Metro Denver Continuum of Cares’ definition of vulnerability.
Performs other related duties as assigned