DHS - Youth Outreach Specialist
About The Position
The Outreach Specialist provides direct outreach services to individuals experiencing homelessness throughout Washington, DC. Working primarily in the community, this role focuses on engagement, advocacy, crisis response, resource coordination, and housing navigation for individuals who may not independently seek services. As the Youth Outreach Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in identifying and engaging individuals aged 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness. You will connect youth to housing and other essential resources, ensuring they receive the support needed to improve their overall well-being and transition successfully into independent living. Successful candidates are committed to ending homelessness. Approximately 75% of work is conducted in the field, including street outreach and encampment engagement. Successful candidates are compassionate, self-motivated, and committed to Housing First, harm reduction, and person-centered care. As part of your responsibilities, you will be expected to work one late-night shift each week and two late-night shifts every four weeks. Late-night shifts are scheduled from 12:30 PM to 9:00 PM during non-hypothermia months. In cases of hypothermia alerts, late-night shifts will adjust to 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM during the hypothermia season. Weekend hours may be required as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
- Strong interpersonal, documentation, and computer skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage clients, community partners, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to provide respectful, person-centered, and trauma-informed services to individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Commitment to Housing First, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and person-centered services.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- 1-2 years of experience providing homeless outreach or direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction theory and practice.
- Knowledge of mental health and substance use treatment approaches.
- Familiarity with community resources and homeless service systems.
- Valid driver's license.
Responsibilities
- Build relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness through consistent outreach and engagement.
- Identify and engage youth (ages 18-24) individuals in need of services through street outreach.
- Perform assessments such as the Transition Age Youth - Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (TAY-SPDAT).
- Provide supportive services to TAY and VI individuals, assisting them in connecting to stable housing, employment, public benefits, education, behavioral health services, basic needs, and other critical resources.
- Maintain a caseload of up to 25 clients and develop individualized service plans.
- Assess client needs and connect individuals to appropriate resources and supports.
- Provide basic necessities including clothing, hygiene products, food, and transportation assistance.
- Assist clients with applications for Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security benefits, and other public assistance programs.
- Connect clients to housing, medical care, mental health services, and substance use treatment.
- Navigate systems of care by connecting clients to appropriate community resources and coordinating care with external partners to ensure continuity of services, reduce barriers to care, and support positive client outcomes.
- Accompany clients to appointments and provide warm handoffs to community providers.
- Advocate for clients to access services, benefits, and housing opportunities.
- Respond to community concerns involving individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Participate in crisis intervention and support individuals experiencing medical or behavioral health crises.
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation, assessments, referrals, progress notes, and incident reports in the Homeless Management Information System.
- Collaborate with internal teams and community partners to coordinate care and services.
Benefits
- 15 days of paid vacation to start
- 11 paid holidays
- 10 paid Sick/Wellness days
- Health insurance for individuals, partners, and families
- Employer-sponsored Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Dental and Vision Insurance
- Employer-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employer-paid Life Insurance
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
- Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Optional employee-paid benefits including Legal Coverage, Short-Term Disability, and Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
