Outreach Specialist

Nation’s Finest•Eureka, CA

About The Position

The Outreach Specialist conducts outreach and services for veterans in an assigned location. Using knowledge of available resources, the specialist helps veterans and their dependents apply for programs and benefits, navigate community-based supports, and address other needs identified by the veteran. The role serves homeless and disadvantaged veterans and builds relationships with local community partners, including organizations providing shelter, housing placement, medical and mental health treatment, legal services, transportation, employment, and other services for veterans, families, and people experiencing homelessness. The specialist responds to requests for assistance, screens and assesses clients for program suitability and eligibility, provides program information, makes referrals, and advocates for clients when needed. The role also develops and carries out outreach with staff and volunteers, including engagement with homeless veterans on the street and in encampments. Travel to referral agencies and clients’ homes may be necessary for outreach, intake, and follow-up. The specialist may oversee daily chores and client routines, support compliance with program rules, monitor funding-agency performance goals, and help keep program expenses within budget. When contracted through a community partner, the specialist provides ongoing outreach in assigned areas through that partner and attends meetings as needed.

Requirements

Associate degree in social sciences or a related field, or four years of direct experience in at-risk client outreach or case management in place of the degree.
Two years of case management experience in a social service or employment counseling position.
Three years of experience performing outreach and making referrals to community services.
Ability to work with diverse adults and children, including people with physical or mental disabilities, addictions, recovery needs, and significant legal barriers or histories of incarceration.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to assess clients’ physical, mental, and emotional health and concisely document assessments.
Ability to maintain client confidentiality and professional boundaries in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Strong interpersonal, communication, writing, organizational, and time-management skills.
Ability to motivate and positively engage challenging clients and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff and service providers.
Ability to develop collaborative partnerships and maintain relationships with a broad network of community contacts.
Ability to make referrals for housing, VA services and benefits, education, employment, financial assistance, and legal advocacy.
Ability to organize and interpret client and program information.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and in a stressful, multitasking environment with clients in varying states of mental and physical health.
Broad working knowledge of services in the local area and knowledge of veteran and children’s issues.
Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Outlook, and familiarity with entering data in database programs.
Clean DMV record and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
Veteran status desirable but not required.
Knowledge of Native culture and language, if applicable, and familiarity with veteran issues relevant to the assigned area.

Responsibilities

Maintain outreach and contact with local organizations serving at-risk populations and help grantees identify additional participants.
Build relationships with social service and public benefit agencies, shelters, faith-based and community-based organizations, local VA facilities, Vet Centers, and Veterans Benefits Administration offices.
Host local informational events and participate in Stand Down or similar events as needed.
Respond to requests for assistance and screen clients for suitability and eligibility for in-house and other-agency programs.
Conduct in-depth program suitability and eligibility screenings and assessments.
Advocate for clients as needed to help them receive services.
Provide program information and refer clients to appropriate services.
Recruit potential clients using outreach techniques such as distributing promotional materials and networking with targeted individuals and organizations.
Work with staff and volunteers to develop and implement outreach that engages homeless veterans on the street and in encampments.
Travel to referral agencies and clients’ homes as necessary for outreach, intake, and follow-up.
Oversee assigned daily chores and client routines, and help ensure residents comply with program rules and guidelines.
Monitor funding-agency performance goals and objectives to ensure they are met or exceeded.
Assist the agency in keeping costs within program budgets.
Attend meetings and conferences as required, including meetings with a community partner when applicable.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.