Outreach Specialist

Block by Block • Roanoke, VA

3d • $18 • Onsite

About The Position

Block by Block is looking for people who are committed to improving their communities by working with persons in need to develop relationships and connect them with available social services. If you can see yourself making a difference by helping some of the most vulnerable members of the street population, this job might be the start of a great career.

Outreach Ambassadors deliver compassion and make a difference through the following:

Frequently interact with persons living on the street to build relationships
of trust
Have a strong understanding of the variety of social services available to
persons in need within their community, and can suggest the right services to
those who are ready to help themselves
Can respond when merchants or visitors call to request engagement with
someone who may be in need, to help de-escalate and redirect activities
Document actions and efforts made in helping individuals

As an Outreach Ambassador, no two days are ever the same, but a typical day will likely include the following responsibilities:

Being on the street, seeking out persons who might be living on the street
Initiating contact with persons living on the street, with a 'compassion
first' approach
Providing small comfort items, such as water, toiletries, or other similar
items
Making first contacts and coordinating connections on behalf of someone
wanting to connect with services
Documenting all interactions and activities

At Block by Block, we employ friendly Ambassadors to make public spaces better, which includes making them friendlier, safer, and cleaner. With nearly 3,000 employees nationwide, Block by Block is large enough to provide lots of opportunities, but small enough to have your work noticed. Our Mission Statement is as follows: "With pride, we make public spaces friendly and vibrant for the communities we serve."

Our rapid growth provides endless opportunities for your long-term career, not just your next job. 68% of our management team started in another job within our company, with a vast majority starting out as an Ambassador.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently
• Comfortable working outdoors for extended periods of time
• Compassionate and professional composure
• Must have the physical capacity to traverse continuously during an eight-hour shift, with normal breaks (two fifteen-minute, and one thirty-minute meal break). Patrolling the district (Several miles a day.)
• Must be able to work outdoors in all conditions with provided inclement weather gear.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write the English language in order to create basic reports.

Nice To Haves

• Customer service + Hospitality
• Outreach & Community Engagement background
• Willingness to build positive relationships with the unhoused population
• Assist with special events/weekend programming

Responsibilities

• Being on the street, seeking out persons who might be living on the street
• Initiating contact with persons living on the street, with a 'compassion first' approach
• Providing small comfort items, such as water, toiletries, or other similar items
• Making first contacts and coordinating connections on behalf of someone wanting to connect with services
• Documenting all interactions and activities

Benefits

• Insurance: Medical with available FSA and/or HSA, Dental, Vision, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Life, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Critical Illness, and Accident.
• Paid time off: Vacation, Sick Time and/or PTO (Only where required by local requirements and contract agreements), Paid Leave (only where required by law), Holidays (only where required by contract agreement), Floating Holidays (only where required by contract agreement), Birthday Pay (eligible after one year of service at most locations unless otherwise stated in CBA), Jury Duty (only where required by law).
• Other: 401K Retirement Savings Plan

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed