Peer Outreach Worker (MOC DG)

Goddard Riverside Community Center•New York, NY

About The Position

Goddard Riverside invests in people and strengthens community, serving more than 20,000 people throughout New York City. The organization works within a social justice framework and is a partner in the Manhattan Outreach Consortium (MOC), a borough-wide initiative serving unsheltered people in collaboration with community partners and healthcare agencies throughout Manhattan. The Peer Outreach Worker engages people living on the street through outreach using a person-centered, harm-reduction approach. The role supports housing placements, meets clients where they are, and uses motivational interviewing techniques while working with MOC teams. This is a field- and office-based position serving as a case manager for homeless adults, with the goal of placing clients in transitional and permanent housing. The position works Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hourly range is $22.25–$25.77; the offer depends on relevant experience and preferred qualifications.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
Lived experience of homelessness.
Peer Specialist Certification required.
Valid driver’s license and a driving record that meets the agency’s auto insurance guidelines, including at least one year as a licensed driver and no suspensions within the last three years.
Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work as a team player.
Good judgment.
Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Outlook.
Ability to use or learn electronic databases, programs, and funder-related software, such as MOCapp and Streetsmart.
Frequent walking and standing.
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds, such as client belongings during moves.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience working with people with mental illness or homelessness preferred.
Experience in harm reduction preferred.
Proficiency in Spanish or Chinese dialect preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as case manager for homeless adults, with the goal of placing them in transitional and permanent housing.
Perform intake, assessment, service planning, advocacy, referrals, and escort services.
Maintain client case records and enter data in MOC and DHS databases using handheld and desktop computers.
Provide follow-up case management for clients placed in housing to promote retention and document outcomes.
Attend staff meetings, case conferences, training programs, and supervision meetings; participate in program evaluation and improvement.
Communicate with evening and weekend staff and staff of other agencies to coordinate client services.
Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to promote wellness.
Canvass, engage, and maintain a presence in specific areas with a high concentration of unsheltered clients.
Participate in the annual HOPE count and quarterly counts of homeless individuals living on the street, including four overnight counts annually.
Build rapport and trusting relationships with clients who are more entrenched in the community.
Help individuals navigate the entitlement system; advocate for needed benefits and ensure recertification of Public Assistance, SNAP, and SSI/SSDI.
Maintain an active resource directory.
Provide support using harm reduction, motivational interviewing, person-centered, trauma-informed care, and recovery models.
Assess individuals for safety and advocate for additional services when needed.
Canvass for vulnerable individuals during Code Blue, Code Red, and other appropriate times.
Maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with service recipients and their collaterals.
Drive the outreach vehicle and use public transportation when necessary.
Perform other duties as required.