Mobile Homeless Outreach Specialist

Action for Boston Community Development•Malden, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Through our offices in Boston and Malden, ABCD's Housing and Homelessness Prevention Department supports people in their search and works to prevent families from entering homelessness by providing housing counseling. The Mobile Homeless Outreach Specialist identifies unsheltered homeless individuals in the Mystic Valley through direct street outreach activities and community referrals.

Requirements

Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent with 12 months of social services experience required.
Demonstrated basic understanding of severe mental health, physical health, and substance abuse issues and symptoms.
Ability to listen with sensitivity to other people’s feelings, needs, and points of view, and demonstrate tact and courtesy in expressing opinions or ideas.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple cases effectively and efficiently and be able to adapt well to changing priorities and challenging individuals.
Must be able to work sensitively and effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to work outside of normal business hours, particularly with flexible evening hours.
Ability to drive a 15-passenger van to outreach events and occasionally transport clients to services.
Ability to work outside in all weather conditions for periods for time.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services or related field preferred.
Bilingual skill in Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred.
Experience working directly with the chronically homeless strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Responsible for identifying unsheltered homeless individuals in the Malden, Medford, Everett and Chelsea areas through direct street outreach activities and through community referrals from mental health, hospitals, local law enforcement and municipalities and other social service agencies.
Work collaboratively with the Mobile Homeless Outreach Coordinator to conduct outreach in the community, focusing on those who are most vulnerable. Outreach will occur in identified “hot spots” in the tri- neighborhoods at times when individuals are most likely to be found, including early morning and evenings.
Complete a Vulnerability assessment tool to determine vulnerability and acuity of individuals during street outreach as well as other outreach and referral processes.
Assist the homeless with accessing resources and make referrals for additional support services, continuing to engage with the unsheltered homeless until shelter or permanent housing is obtained.
Provide advocacy for homeless when they encounter barriers.
Collaborate with other agencies in the region to provide team outreach services.
Maintain complete client records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, neighbor-related data tracking systems and other reports as directed.
Establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with mental health programs, shelter programs, police (and other local officials), and providers of services and resources to homeless.
Attend team meetings, case conferences, training workshops and community meetings as needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.