Outreach & Diversion Specialist

Friends of the Family•Mason City, IA

About The Position

Develop and deliver street outreach, community engagement, and diversion services throughout assigned service areas. The position may be full-time or part-time. The specialist provides progressive engagement, crisis intervention, service assessments, housing-resource navigation, and follow-up support to people affected by homelessness. The role also coordinates diversion efforts, builds community partnerships, supports access to housing and crisis services, and complies with data-tracking and documentation requirements.

Requirements

Ability to organize, prioritize, and plan work to meet deadlines.
Ability to ensure confidentiality for all people FOF serves.
Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to travel throughout the FOF service area to provide in-person advocacy services and to other locations within the state for training as necessary.
Ability to pass state, federal, and child abuse background checks.
Understand, align with, and practice the Housing First Model, Trauma-Informed Care, Client-Centered Approach, Harm Reduction, and Low-Barrier Shelter philosophies/models.
Understand the six components of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).
Believe in FOF’s 10-year vision: “Everyone has a home.”
Believe in FOF’s mission to end homelessness through the Housing First approach, systemic change driven by community partnerships, and individualized support that prioritizes client choice.
Demonstrate the values of People First, Discover & Do, Equity and Inclusion, and Grit.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in victim services, crisis intervention, housing programming, and/or case management.

Responsibilities

Deliver progressive engagement services to participants in the identified service area.
Conduct street outreach in assigned service areas to understand the homeless population and provide intervention.
Develop and maintain partnerships with housing service providers, crisis centers, hospitals, and other programs to help participants access services quickly.
Coordinate diversion efforts in the assigned service area.
Educate participants about landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.
Provide service assessments, crisis counseling, and access to housing programs to callers on the crisis line.
Support programs and services in navigating housing options and resources for people affected by homelessness.
Comply with data-tracking and documentation requirements.
Represent FOF at community and program-development meetings as assigned.
Follow up with clients currently living on the streets to continue providing resources.