Peer Outreach Worker

As a member of the SOP, the Peer Outreach Worker must be a driven and creative individual. The Peer outreach worker is responsible for conducting street outreach, providing on the spot referrals, and supporting and providing resources to youth and young adults who are homeless, runaway, and/or at high risk of becoming homeless and in need of case management, immediate shelter, meals, employment, and medical and or mental health services. The ideal candidate must have been a young person who has had similar lived experiences around homelessness and/or housing insecurity as the young people being supported. This credible messenger approach will help ensure a strong connection and level of trust between the young adults and Peer Outreach Worker.

Reports to: Program Director

Locations: NYC/City Wide (Mobile Van) (Positions Based between Harlem & Brooklyn. Must be flexible with Travel)

Hours: 35 hours/Week, Non-Exempt

Salary: 43k-48 Annually Based on relevant experience

Major Duties:

• Provide targeted outreach to designated communities in the 5 Boros of NCY as requested, in no less than a team of two, to identify homeless, runaway and at-risk youth and young adults through street and site-based outreach.
• Use engagement techniques to build a rapport with youth and young adults encountered.
• Provide age-appropriate interaction with youth and young adults encountered and adhere to all agency guidelines and ethics regarding treatment of youth and services.
• Screen for basic needs; provide resources, referrals to service agencies, shelter and drop-in centers.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed. Provide psychoeducation and prevention to homeless, runaway and at-risk youth and young adults on various topics.
• Build network with other street outreach program workers and local drop-in centers.
• Provide assistance in locating safe housing – emergency, transitional and permanent.
• Maintain appropriate and relevant documentation of all contacts, efforts and events.
• Respond to Fair Hearing requests.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Be in constant with Program Director at all times to be accountable for effective use of time and to receive guidance and direction
• Attend all staff meetings timely and attend other internal and external meetings as directed.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma required.
• 2 years' experience in working with the runaway and or homeless youth/young adult population, direct experience with street outreach desirable.
• Lived experience around homelessness, at risk of homelessness or housing insecurity a plus
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Must be able to establish working relationships with participants in need of supportive services.
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to use public transportation to travel throughout New York City;
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based and/or youth development perspective
• Computer literate -- Knowledge of computer assessment tools, Data Base systems and Windows operating systems. Proficient in Microsoft Office

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.