Temp Outreach Specialist-Sonoma County (86777)

HomeFirst•Sonoma, CA

1d•$25 - $25•Hybrid

About The Position

HomeFirst, established in 1980, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the Bay Area through low-barrier programming and systems leadership. The Coordinated Entry System (CES) Outreach team's purpose is to locate eligible participants for housing interventions who are not yet connected to a provider. This team focuses on reaching vulnerable participants who are difficult to find within Sonoma County. The CES Outreach team consists of two Outreach Specialists and a program manager, headquartered in the HomeFirst Santa Rosa office, serving all of Sonoma County. The Outreach Specialist is accountable for high participant contact success, documentation, policy compliance, and maintaining community partnerships. This role prefers fieldwork, requires self-driven and flexible individuals, and embodies a "whatever it takes" approach to moving people into housing, meeting barriers with creativity and clients where they are. The position demands persistence, an inventive approach to locating participants, and strong problem-solving skills. Collaboration is key, as the specialist will drive progress towards shared goals among various service providers. This role connects highly vulnerable individuals with housing opportunities and providers, requiring organization and accountability to multiple priorities. HomeFirst values diversity, and this role should be comfortable working with people from various social and economic backgrounds.

Requirements

Knowledge of highly-utilized locations in San Jose where the homeless congregate and camp
Ability to walk long distances and on rough terrain (such as trails to creek-side encampments and high-traffic areas)
Ability to lift and carry outreach supplies (usually in a backpack, up to 30 lbs.)
Understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of the homeless
Commitment to increasing the housing stability and self-sufficiency of the homeless
Strong verbal and written skills
Good problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks
Ability to work with people of diverse social backgrounds and professional rank
Demonstrated effective communication skills
Knowledge and understanding of community resources and human services
Initiative, flexibility, and the capacity to respond effectively in all situations
Good collaboration skills and the ability to work independently with limited supervision
Ability to work as part of a diverse team
Basic computer skills, including knowledge of MS Office applications and the internet
1 years experience in human services preferred, not required.
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) degree or related human services field preferred, not required.
Bilingual in Spanish and bicultural preferred, not required.
Valid California Driver's License, ability to be added onto agency fleet insurance (required)

Nice To Haves

People with lived experience encouraged to apply.
Knowledge of multiple languages is desirable.

Responsibilities

Provides linkage and coordinate services to community resources, including health care and shelter, vital documents and benefits applications, family reunification, Housing Problem Solving, etcetera.
Utilizes best practices in homeless services including: Housing First models with a strength-based approach, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Prevention and Intervention, and Safety Planning.
Proactively advocates for participants and collaborates with community partners to successfully connect the participant with the referred housing opportunity and gather necessary documentation.
Ensures homeless verification for participants follows HUD and contract standards.
Conducts a warm hand off of the program participant to the identified supportive services provider.
Refers located participants to service providers immediately and no later than one business day.
Understands and engages in executing various outreach strategies to locate and re-engage participants in services.
Provide access and coordination to emergency shelter, meals, showers, and laundry services to unsheltered program participants.
Makes timely and accurate decisions in emergency or crisis situations with awareness of the need for the safety of all clients, staff, or volunteers involved.
Ability to listen, comprehend, and effectively communicate information both in writing and orally with all individuals.
Communicates effectively with service providers to complete warm hand off with clients.
Documents, via progress notes in HMIS, all outreach activity within five business days.
Maintains detailed, consistent case notes in HMIS and regularly updates necessary touchpoints.
Gathers and uploads scanned documents and verifications.
Tracks collections of documentation.
Tracks located and unable to locate referrals through internal trackers etc.
Monitors and updates outreach list/referrals trackers.
Maintains physical case file paperwork and documentation as needed.
Assists with data quality management of participant information and CES touchpoints in HMIS.
Participates in ongoing analysis of and program alignment with industry best practices.
Proactively and consistently improves the quality and effectiveness of program services.
Attends all meetings and training relevant to this position.
Assists with office-related tasks as needed.
Works collaboratively with Program Manager and utilizes supervision appropriately, maintaining open lines of communication and providing updates on participants’ progress towards goals.
Attends the regional By-Name-List meetings and reports out on progress with participants as needed.
Properly reports any suspected cases of abuse.
Maintains professional relations and conduct.
Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency.
Knows and implements agency, program, and applicable county standards and policies and procedures.
Other duties as assigned.