Community Outreach Navigator

Position Reports to : Community Services Outreach Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY :

Community Outreach Navigator work together with other CHF team members to facilitate safety and comprehensive programming for youth in our programs. Community Outreach Navigators are often the first experience a young person has with CHF, they provide housing assessments, referrals, transportation to appointments as needed and support youth who are living in places not meant for habitation. Community Outreach Navigator also help facilitate the day-to-day operations and duties, provide essential supervision and support to the young people in the Resource Center. Community Outreach Navigator support our youth who have experienced homelessness, housing instability, human trafficking, trauma, identify as LGBTQ , are gender non-conforming and / or who often face multiple issues and have complex needs

Street Outreach Specialists utilize a strengths-based, harm reduction framework, using trauma-informed practices and value working within a multi-disciplinary team to create a safe inclusive environment for all.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

1. On designated days / time, provide street outreach services by engaging and providing appropriate shelter / housing / service referrals when available to unhoused youth.

2. Build rapport with youth and act as a positive role model and safe adult while maintaining and healthy boundaries. Function as liaison between Covenant House Florida and youth who are living in places not meant for habitation

3. Complete all documentation neatly and accurately (i.e. homeless client transactions, case records, incident reports, data entry, billing) by the end of each workday. Ensure that documentation meets the standards established by funding sources, and agency policies, including filing and tracking data for grant objectives. Utilize and monitor youth information in all applicable human service database systems ETO, HMIS.

4. Communicate pertinent information with CHF team members and the Continuum of Care’s Youth Coordinated Entry System (CES) to ensure a continuum of services to the youth. Maintain consistent communication with the multidisciplinary team by preparing clear and concise case notes and incident reports. Communicate pertinent information with team members and youth throughout each shift. Take an active part in shift transition and provide vital information about youth and referrals.

5. Identify street youth in high-risk situations and intervene through counseling, encouragement, information, referrals, and individualized, client-driven supports. Utilize positive youth development and wellness orientation focusing on youth choice, youth voice, and self-determination.

6. Educate the community as to the Mission of Covenant House Florida. Assist with educating CHF volunteers to the Philosophy of Care to work effectively with the youth.

7. Supervise youth, maintain order, and exercise appropriate judgment while on shift to ensure the safety of youth and team members. Assist youth in emergencies as directed by supervisor. Defuse physical and verbal confrontation with youth, using appropriate verbal de-escalation techniques.

8. Continuously monitor current community resources available to youth and share resources with team members and youth to help advance youth’s Success Plans, including transporting youth to appointments as appropriate.

9. Participate in the rotation of coverage and ensure the daily functions of the Welcome Center are completed while on shift. Greeting all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love and assisting them with acclimating to the CHF environment.

10. Crisis prevention and intervention while adhering to agency protocol for responding, reporting, and seeking support.

11. Maintain safety awareness of situations and spaces. Ensure that work areas are clean, organized and secure before, during and at the end of the shift. Report all maintenance concerns to the Shift Supervisor.

12. Be timely and present at all scheduled meetings, training sessions, and shifts.

13. Drive company vehicles to escort youth to and from activities, hospital visits, school, and various other appointments, etc.

14. Perform day-to-day operations and duties in accordance with established policies and procedures.

JOB REQUIREMENTS :

EDUCATION : Associate’s degree in human services or related field required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.

E XPERIENCE : One year of working experience required, experience working with street outreach and youth ages 18-24 preferred.

SCHEDULE : Requires flexibility with weekly work schedule to meet needs of youth.

SKILLS : Must be well organized and have excellent communication skills as demonstrated by concise, timely and professional correspondence, both written and verbal. Must have strong customer service skills. Must have demonstrated ability to maintain order and exercise appropriate judgement in crisis situations. Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with others while communicating respect, mutual support, honesty, and caring to all youth and team members. Demonstrated understanding of conflict resolution skills and sensitivity to culturally diverse populations and computer literacy is required.

TRANSPORTATION : Valid FL driver’s license and good driving record, required. This position transport youth and team members if required using agency transportation.

WORKING CONDITIONS : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work occasionally in outside-weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. on occasion, bend, sit and stand for prolonged periods of time.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES : This position does not perform supervisory duties.

EQUIPMENT USED : Must be able to utilize basic word processing, email, and internet programs.

Due to licensing requirements, Covenant House Florida applicants will not be permitted to begin employment service until they have been cleared by a Florida and national criminal background search. All applicants for employment will be responsible for the cost associated with instituting background checks and will be eligible for reimbursement after 90 days of service.

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Covenant House Florida. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, marital / parental status, political affiliation, citizenship, disability, genetic information, veteran / military status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

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